If you're a cat owner like me, you are probably constantly fascinated by the weird quirks your cat possesses. While some are adorable others can be annoying and frustrating to say the least. It may seem strange but there is actually a lot of scientific data and research explaining why our cats are the way that they are.
1. Kneading You
Some people will simply sit back and enjoy the free massage while others want answers. Your cat “kneading” is simply her rhythmically pressing her paws one after the other, as if she’s giving you a massage. There are multiple explanations as to why she may be doing this. She is most likely showing how content and happy she is, attempting to calm anxieties, or marking you with her scent.
2. Sitting With Their Back To You
This is one of the most misinterpreted actions among cats and actually a huge compliment. When your cats sit with their backs to you, they are attempting to show you that they have complete trust in you. No sane cat would sit this way if it thought you were not trustworthy. This position shows your cat’s faith in you and her belief that you won’t attack.
3. Hiding In Small Spaces
So you just brought your new, furry friend home for the first time. You went shopping at your local pet store and purchased all the necessities, including a cat bed. But that plush, $40 bed that you were so excited for your fur ball to curl up in has been sitting in a corner of your house collecting dust since you purchased it. Instead you find your furry friend curled up in the deepest, darkest corner of every nook and cranny. What gives? Cats feel more safe and secure in small spaces. In the wild, cats need to be quick and sneaky in order to survive. Therefore, hiding in a small area or den makes it more difficult for predators to find them.
4. Staring At You
Probably one of the creepier and more confusing things your cat can do. Nothing is quite as terrifying as having two, unblinking eyes staring into your soul. But don’t worry, this is nothing to be scared of. She’s most likely attempting to get your attention or possibly prompting you to feed her.
5. Ignoring You
There’s nothing quite as insulting and frustrating as your cat ignoring you. While your cat may seem to not get enough of you one minute, this can change completely in a matter of seconds. Just like us, cats need their alone time too. Never fight your cat on this one. Once you respect her need for space, she will feel safer with you.
6. Crying At Night
When a good night sleep seems imminent, you may be rudely awakened to your cat’s cries. This is frustrating to say the least. But this sudden burst of energy can stem from her urge to hunt the insects and mice in your home. Her “crying” can either be due to happiness at capturing her prey or frustration at letting it go. Simply provide her with plenty of fun toys to play with during the day as well as quieter ones at night.
7. Sitting On Your Laptop
If you’ve ever lost a ten minute speech to your cat’s sudden need to sit on your keyboard, I hear you. The reason for this behavior is quite simple. Once they see you start typing they will run over purely to seek attention or to curb their own curiosity. When your furry friend sees that you're engrossed in your laptop (or literally anything else that holds your attention for a while) they can’t help their curiosity and want to be involved in this activity that you find so important. When you stop what you're doing and give them attention, most likely because they've completely hindered your ability to keep typing, it is just positive reinforcement for them. This makes them even more likely to repeat the action.
8. Head-butting You
When your cat head-butts you, you may be confused why such an intelligent creature would bang their head into you. But, like all weird cat behaviors, there is an explanation. It is her way of telling you that she trusts you and feels safe in your presence. Behaviorists refer to this strange action as "bunting."
9. Meticulously Knocking Things Over
What may seem like your cat being a straightforward jerk is actually just a way for them to practice their hunting skills. When your cat looks you dead in the eye as she uses her paw to gracefully fling your glass bowl from your kitchen table, she is actually trying to determine if the item is possible prey. If the object “scurries” away she knows that she has chosen right. But after some time our cats come to realize that the lovely decor in our homes is not their game for the night. So why do they continue to cause destruction? To get your attention. If she doesn’t feel that she has been fed enough or simply wants attention, beware your household belongings.
10. Always Landing On Their Feet
No matter where they fall or jump from they always find a way to land on their feet, and make it look ridiculously elegant at the same time. While it may seem like a mystical power that all cats possess, there is actually scientific research to explain why cats seem to defy gravity. Cats' highly tuned inner ears, which give them heightened balance, can detect which way is up in just a couple of seconds. This then allows their bodies to brace for landing in mid-air. In addition, a cat's spine is extremely flexible since they have six more vertebrae than us humans and their collarbones are "free floating." This means that they are able to twist quickly and absorb their weight during impact very effectively.
While our cats do a number of ridiculous things to confuse us, they are still always there at the end of the day. They always find a way to apologize for their bad actions whether it be through some cuddles, a "hunted gift," or some quick complimentary bathing. They are considered our loved ones and understanding what makes them them is the first step to establishing an impenetrable bond.
