13 Strange Yet Common Cat Behaviours Explained

Introduction

Our feline friends make excellent companions at home, and part of what makes them so appealing might be their aloofness, changing moods, and sometimes bewildering behaviour. If you’ve ever found yourself wondering why your cat is kneading, chattering, or lying on your things, read on to find out what these behaviours mean and whether you need to consult a vet for advice.

Noticed your cat pressing her paws into you and massaging you? They could be recalling their past life as a baker but another, more likely, explanation is that this is an instinctive behaviour originating in kittens kneading their mother’s mammary glands to stimulate milk production. As an adult, this likely indicates contentment or happiness or an attempt to alleviate stress. 

Slow blinks while looking at you are known as cat kissing. For the most part, these are expressions of affection and trust. If you notice your cat doing this, blink slowly back at them in reciprocation. On the other hand, if your cat will not look at you no matter what you try to do to get his attention, give them space as this shows they’re in a solitary mood and need time alone.

Toileting outside the litter box is a common behavioural complaint for cat owners. This behaviour can be due to bladder and urinary tract conditions, colitis, constipation, and other medical conditions. However, it could also be due to stress or anxiety along with box, litter, location, and maintenance preferences. See your vet, and ensure your cat’s litter box is clean, accessible, and located in a semi-private space. In addition, ensuring mealtimes are predictable can alleviate stress and prevent associated behaviours including toileting outside the litter box.

Have you ever been woken by the sound of your cat yowling at night? Generally, this is usually due to pent-up energy and their instinct to hunt during the night. Effective remedies could be to exercise your cat during the day, feed a small meal before bedtime, and give him or her plenty of toys and food puzzles to provide an outlet for their hunting instincts.

Your cat feels safe in small spaces, so if they’re fitting themselves into small boxes, sinks, drawers, closet corners, and other tight spots, it’s a demonstration of the feline instinct to hide out in tiny spaces where they can watch and observe away from the gaze of predators. Additionally, it helps with thermoregulation and so keeps them warm. In other words, it’s odd but normal behaviour you probably don’t need to be concerned about.

You might find your cat enjoys plonking down on your laptop, clothing, or a book you’ve just opened to read. It could be because the item is warm and so comfortable to lie on or it could be because your cat has worked out that it's a great way to get your undivided attention and affection. At the same time, he or she is marking your belongings and claiming you and the item as his territory.

You might have heard your cat chattering her teeth intensely, such as when they’re peering out the window at a bird or when they notice a squirrel in the yard. According to experts, your cat is probably expressing excitement, aggravation, and frustration because he/she can’t go out and hunt prey. 

Eating woolen clothing, socks, rubber bands, fabric, plastic, and metals could be a sign of pica, which could be due to nutritional deficiencies. In other cases, this can be due to boredom or anxiety. Sometimes, eating things like plastic can be due to a liking for the texture. This behaviour can present a choking hazard for your cat. It is advisable to see your vet for more insight should they continually exhibit this behaviour.

Does your cat leap onto the bench and lap from the faucet as soon as you turn it on? This is instinctive behaviour. It reflects the fact running water, as opposed to water from stagnant sources, is usually safer to drink when you’re out in the wild as it’s less likely to contain bacteria and other contaminants. If your cat does this persistently, it is advisable for one to set up a dedicated pet fountain for them.

Your cat twitching her tail is usually a sign of excitement or focused attention. She might be playing with a toy and in hunting mode, or watching a bird outside the window and be ready to pounce. In any case, a twitching tail is normal cat behaviour. Twitching ears that are moving back and forth, however, are a sign of anxiety or agitation. 

If your cat is rolling around in front of you, it’s usually a sign they’re feeling relaxed, safe, and comfortable. Since rolling around on one’s back is a vulnerable situation for cats, it’s an indication you’ve earned his trust and he’s probably ready to spend some playtime with you.

Have you noticed your cat sometimes pounces on your feet? Fret not! Your cat is simply engaging in play. Pouncing, jumping, and attacking your feet or shoes, generally speaking, are normal behaviours. You can respond and take his attention off your feet by inviting him to play with a piece of yarn, a laser, or some other toy.

Conclusion

From staying up all night to resting on your feet, these are some of the most common strange behaviours demonstrated by cats. Your cat’s behaviour might seem random and odd at times, but usually, there’s a solid explanation behind it.

Understanding what it means can enable you to have more meaningful interactions and a better relationship with your feline friend. This will also allow you to take action to improve your cat’s quality of life and health when necessary. 

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