Real Meanings Behind 9 Strange Cat Behaviors Explained
10,015,426
Published 2022-08-13
Why do cats raise their butt when you pet them
Stroke a cat at the base of their tail, and they are likely to stick their butt up in the air.
The base of a cat’s tail is an erogenous zone with lots of nerve endings. So many cats enjoy being pet or scratched by a trusted person in this region.
Interestingly enough, cats also adopt this posture when they are in heat and ready to mate. Female cats that are in heat often become more affectionate and drop into this position every time you pet them.
Why do cats cover their faces when they sleep
More often than not, cats cover their faces while they sleep to keep their noses and bodies warmer. By covering their faces with their paws or curling up tightly into a ball, your feline friend can reduce the amount of heat that is lost as they sleep.
Cats also cover their eyes as a way to block out the light.
Why does your cat lick you and then bite you
If your cat licks then bites you out of the blue, then you might be in the presence of a love bite. Cats often bite to show affection. But only with gentle and more controlled nibbles.
Some cats bite you as part of their grooming behavior. When felines clean each other, they lick and nibble to ensure thorough hygiene, meaning it is completely normal for our cats to bite us a little when grooming us.
But remember, if you are actively petting your cat and they give your finger a lick or two, and then a nice chomp, it might be that they have had enough of your pets and are overstimulated. Overstimulation happens when you touch your cat in areas they don’t like or when you pet them for extended periods of time. After some time, something that they might have found enjoyable turns frustrating and results in a little bite. This is your cat’s warning signal to stop petting them.
Why cats keep changing their sleeping spots
A study published in Applied Animal Behavior Science surveyed 1,177 cats and found that on average cats had 5 preferred sleeping places.
It is survival instinct for cats to regularly change their sleeping location. Cats in the wild frequently move their nests and colonies to avoid detection from predators.
Cats also sleep in different locations to enjoy privacy, regulate their body temperature, and to avoid stressful experiences. Many cats prefer sleeping far enough from litter and food to avoid strong or direct smells.
Why some cats over-vocalize
If you have got a cat that over-vocalizes, there are several reasons for it.
The most common cause of excessive vocalization is attention-seeking. Many cats learn to meow to signal their wish to go outside, be fed, initiate play, or even get you to talk to them.
Cats that are experiencing stress also become more vocal. A new pet or baby, a house move or big changes to the home, an illness or the loss of a loved one, can turn your cat into a talker.
Other reasons for a cat’s over-vocalization are boredom, loneliness, and separation anxiety.
Why cats take your spot
Cats often steal your seat because they enjoy the scent and warmth you leave behind. Cats love warm temperatures and want to absorb your body heat. Domestic cats also enjoy being close to their owners’ scent because it makes them feel safe and comfortable.
Why cats knead
More often than not, cats knead when they are feeling happy and safe. You may also notice they purr and have their eyes half-closed, which are often other signs of feeling safe and content.
Another reason why cats knead on random surfaces is to mark their territory.
Why your cat sleeps with you
Cats sleep with you for several reasons.
Cats like warmer temperatures than humans do. So when the ambient temperature is a little cool, your cat is going to look for a nice warm area to maintain their temperature, and your body is good source of heat.
Another reason your cat sleeps with you is because she wants to feel safe. In the wild, laying down or sleeping makes animals more vulnerable to predators. Sleeping on top of a trusted human gives a cat a sense of security, as well as comfort and warmth to sleep peacefully.
Cats also sleep with you to show you affection and love. While cats can be very independent, they do miss you when you are gone from home for a long period of time and will want to cuddle with you when you get back.
Dilated Eyes
Cats’ pupils fluctuate in size and shape based on light and emotion. By dilating their pupils, cats allow even tiny amounts of light into their eyes so they can see better in the dark. During the day, cats contract their pupils depending on how bright it is.
Interestingly enough, pupil size can also be an indication of your pet's mood.
Your cat could be stressed, anxious, excited or in fear. Cats also often have dilated pupils during their heat cycle.
In situations that produce enjoyment, like when they’ve just eaten their favorite food, a cat’s pupils may dilate as a reflex.
All Comments (21)
-
Some cats can be protective of their owners. When I lived alone I had a small female cat that would sleep on my bed, but always snuggled beside me. One night she sat right on top of me all night and was awake. I couldn't figure it out. I got up to see if she wanted food and she didn't, went back to bed and she continued sitting on top of me all night, awake. It turned out we'd had a prowler trying to get into the house and I believe she sat on me to protect me and kept vigil all night long. There were large men's footsteps in the flower garden all around the perimeter of the house, so it appears he had been trying each window. He had also smashed a terracotta pot by putting his foot on it, for leverage as it appeared he was trying to open the ranchslider in the lounge (sliding doors) from the top somehow. This was the only night of my cats 15 years of life, that she ever sat on me like that while I slept.
-
It's 2 am and I don't even have a cat
-
My son passed away and we took in his two cats in addition to our two. His cats seem to cry and yowl a lot and I know they are missing him. It’s been less than two months. It breaks my heart but I’m so happy to have these remembrances of our son all day long. He loved these sweet guys.
-
My first cat I ever had lived to the ripe old age of 20, outlived our two dogs we had at the time and absolutely hated everything with a pulse that didn’t live at our house. She never bit us or fought other pets, only strays that overstayed their welcome. She passed away peacefully in the night in her favorite monopoly board game box and was buried with it in a small pinewood box
-
I used to have a cat, and he would always give me the affectionate "love bite." I noticed that he would intentionally bite me with the back of his mouth, where he didn't have teeth so as to not hurt me. He would also vocalize when he wanted me to check out whatever he was looking at out the window, usually a bird or squirrel. One time, I heard him making a vocalization I had never heard before, it was something in between a growl, a yowl, and a meow. I went to check on him, but he was just lounging around, so I walked back. Then he started making that same strange noise again, and that's when I noticed he was sitting behind a running fan, so he was making different vocalizations into it because it made his voice sound robotic, exactly like a child would do.
-
2:06 Sadly, in elderly cats, over-vocalizing can sometimes be a result of dementia. They're confused and afraid.
-
Thank you for a great video! When my aunt's cat had kittens on July 4th, 2005, she had 3 white kittens & 1 black one. Both my boyfriend (at the time) and I immediately knew we wanted the black one. So I told my cousin that we'd like to meet them but already had our hearts set on the black one. My cousin told me "the black kitten is kinda sped, she doesn't meow or play much with the other kittens"... Fast forward to us bringing her home, and I swear she meowed for 2 weeks straight! We named her Marley & realized very quickly that she was an absolute sweetheart that had only been acting that way because of the environment she had been in. (That's a whole nother long story, but basically she had been kept in a small room with 7 other cats before we brought her home.) Marley ended up being one of the very best things to ever happen to me. She gave me nearly 18 years of the purest love, the bestest hugs & snuggles, the loudest purrs, and so much fun! She just passed away 2 weeks ago 😔 Marley was impossibly sweet, and by far the most loving little angel. I miss her. I miss hearing the sweetest meows & loudest purrs. I miss getting the most special hugs & the bestest snuggles every day. I just miss my girl.
-
I have 3 cats. The oldest (9 yrs female) is really shy, only likes our family, enjoys belly pets, never bites and she really talks w us, whether she wants food or affection she "explains" that easily. Second cat (6 yrs), is extremely fearful of outside world and not interested even looking out of windows, likes to pet but not on belly and likes to bite sometimes. We found her on the street pregnant, she had 4 babies that was with her (and us)almost a year before adoption and she is so grateful, you can see it from her behaviour. Third cat (3 yrs) is male used to be feral cat that I found in the middle of night, following me home so I took him. He was so crazy at the start, we were all afraid of him cause he was unpredictable. Now he is domestic cat, really nice, just needed some love. They are all sterilised and as we have a dog they all learn to come when we call their name, they can go out on the leash also. We found them on the streets, tried to find owners for months but was abandoned obviously, they all have chip now and we love them so much, our dog is happy to have them also. Cats are so magical and I would never live without them anymore 😊
-
So cat bites could mean: "I love you" "Eww, get away" "Come back I wanna play" "I love you again, let me clean you" "I am tired of you, go away." Sure this is really clear 😆
-
One of the most accurately done cat behavior videos I've seen. As a tip for cat biting, if play gets a little too aggressive, which it often will, and a bite legitimately hurts, just say ow firmly and stop playing. This is what cats do with each other. If it's too aggressive they make a pain noise and play stops. It teaches them the limits of play vs real fighting. Play can begin again fairly quickly or the cat may want a break. But this will teach your cat your limits with play biting.
-
i have an emotional support cat and she is probably the best decision i ever made, people don’t give them credit and see them as mean when in reality, they are just as lovable as your dog, they just show it differently
-
One of the best feelings is coming home and being greeting by our cats.
-
I believe that some cats might sleep with you in attempts to make you feel safe and comfortable. When I was little, a family cat named Buddy was staying with my dad for a long extended time, and when I stayed over Buddy would sleep with me every single night. He’d come into my room and lay on my neck, wrapping himself around my head, purring away. He was the biggest sweetheart and lovebug of a cat I have ever met. I swear his eyes were almost always half closed. <3 miss you Buddy. <3 miss you dad. <3
-
Normally on YT "why cats do what they do" lists are wrong or ill-informed, this video is the exception as all of it is accurate, informative, and presented well. 10/10 Thank you.
-
I love this. I have a rescue kitten who is about 8 months old. He gets very excited to see us when we get home and always tells me he’s hungry first thing in the morning. He loves talking to us and telling us when he wants to play or eat or even go to bed. He does also demand to be held at times and he will tell you that too. He loves playing tag and cuddling.
-
We got my red boi George from the shelter at age 11. He's 15 now. From the very start, he has been incredibly vocal. He has no limits when it comes to attention and cuddling up, so it's likely for attention seeking, but he also manages just fine on his own. He never has an issue with us leaving, as long as we immediately cuddle with him when we're back. Precious boi.
-
I adopted a 13yr old cat who was locked in a cattery, underweight and loosing his fur. He obviously was missing his old owner terribly. After being home every night for months and months with him, I went camping, for one night. When I arrived home he was all over me and I could see he spent the night sleeping on my pillow. 🤣 Installing a cat door also made him very happy... He goes in and out all day and night. He also helped me heal my mind and heal my emotions. His heavy purring goes right through my body and makes me feel amazing. Today he is a big chunky happy cat and I am mentally and physically so much better than I ever was. Cats can change your life and make you a better human being. I have had to earn his purring and his healing powers.... by showing him love, compassion, affection, Care and food. If I ignore him, he doesn't forget....he ignores me right back! Cats are not slaves. They are Godlike.✨ They are medicine.
-
As a cat servant (not owner), I can attest that all of this is 100% true. Great video, thanks
-
Cats are just magical, my Baby is literally my emotional support! He comes meowing at me every time I accidentally hit my toe/hurt myself or I’m feeling down and emotional, he comes gives me head buds, rubs and cuddles with me to comfort me & since we moved in with my boyfriend, he’s been doing the same with him too! I had another cat that was the same way, I miss him dearly. When people say “I don’t like cats” it’s bc Clearly they have never owned one.
-
I can confirm that last point very much so. I’m gone for 4 days, then home for 4 days. One of my cats loves to greet me at the door and usually spends a whole day cuddled up with me.
