Understanding Your Cat: 10 Unusual Behaviors and What They Mean

If you’re a cat owner, you’ve likely witnessed several inexplicable behaviors from your furry friend. Observing these puzzling and adorable behaviors is a shared experience among all cat owners. Most people perceive cats as cool and aloof, but they are surprisingly jealous and affectionate creatures. They are also more timid and sensitive than you might think. Since they cannot express their feelings verbally, they often convey their emotions through their actions and body language. By observing a cat’s tail, whiskers, ear movements, and paw actions, you can gain insight into their psychology. So, how do cats express themselves to their owners?

 

What does it mean when they stare at the ceiling or wall?

If you’re a cat owner, you’ve probably seen your cat staring intently at a blank ceiling or wall. Some owners might even get goosebumps, wondering if there’s a ghost or something. However, this behavior is often exhibited when they detect the sound or movement of a small object. Cats have superior hearing and vision compared to humans, allowing them to hear a variety of sounds and differentiate subtle high-frequency noises. They might also be looking at shadows or small marks on the wall.

What if they knock things over?

What’s going on in the mind of a cat who quickly climbs to a high place and knocks things over? This behavior is one of the typical ways cats annoy their owners. Cats, due to their wild instincts, love high places. They fearlessly jump anywhere and are curious about objects placed around them. They find amusement in the reactions of their owners when they knock things over. However, if an object falls from a high place, it can be dangerous for both the owner and the cat, so constant attention is required.

What if they suddenly run around after using the litter box?

You’ve probably seen your cat suddenly run around after using the bathroom. The exact reason for this behavior is not known, but it’s speculated to be related to the cat’s instincts. In the wild, defecating exposes them to predators, making it a tense activity. So, the sudden running could be an instinct to return to a safe place after defecating. Alternatively, if they are experiencing constipation or pain during defecation, or if they can’t clean their anus or fur properly, they might suddenly dart out.

What if they squeeze themselves into a narrow box or bag?

Cats often try to squeeze themselves into boxes or bags that are much smaller and narrower than their bodies, which is adorable to their owners. The reason cats like tight spaces traces back to their wild ancestors. Cats are very flexible and can easily fit into narrow holes. They feel more secure in tight spaces rather than uncomfortable. They used to hide in these narrow spaces to protect themselves from predators. Therefore, for cats, these are the most secure and warm resting spaces.

 

When does a cat throw a punch?

There are several reasons why a cat might throw a punch, and the intensity of the punch can vary depending on the reason. Understanding the meaning of a cat’s punch can help understand their emotions. If the cat taps the owner’s body with its front paw, it may be a playful gesture or a demand for attention. However, if the cat throws a punch while being petted or during physical contact, it’s a sign of dissatisfaction and a warning to stop. Cats use their ‘meow punch’ to convey their emotions, so it’s good to distinguish whether it’s play, discomfort, or aggression.

What if they pretend to bury their food?

The reason a cat pretends to bury their food is that they might be saving it for later. This is a remnant of their wild instincts to prevent their food from being stolen by other animals. Cats also make judgments based on smell, so if they think the food has spoiled or is dirty, they might make a burying gesture. If they do this before eating their food, it means they don’t like the food. If it’s summer, don’t ignore this behavior; instead, clean the dish thoroughly and change the contents of the food bowl.

 

What about the midnight marathon?

Your cat, who was calm during the day, might suddenly run around and knock things over at night, creating a chaotic scene. Cats are nocturnal animals, so their active hours are during the night and early morning. Therefore, even domestic cats can instinctively run around when night falls. Lack of exercise leading to excess energy or stress could also be a reason. They might be releasing stress by running, so it’s helpful to play with them frequently during the day or install a cat tower.

What if the cat stares intently at the owner?

If a cat stares intently at its owner, it’s expressing a desire for the owner to do something. The cat might be hungry or want to play with the owner, or in a multi-cat household, it could be a look of jealousy. Cats naturally enjoy observing things intently. Of course, the owner would be an interesting and fun observation target. Some cats even climb to high places to continuously observe the owner’s behavior. This is a sign of the cat’s affection and interest, so there’s no need to feel burdened – just enjoy it.

 

What about the cat’s kneading?

You’ve probably seen your cat kneading a bed or pillow, or you as if giving a massage with its front paws. This is referred to as cat kneading. When do cats knead, and why do they do it? Cats only knead when they trust their owner and feel safe in their environment. Therefore, if the place has a strong scent of the owner or the cat, they may knead, or the soft touch of a blanket may remind them of their mother’s lap, causing them to knead.

 

What behaviors do cats show when they are remorseful?

Do cats show remorseful behaviors when they are scolded by their owners? Of course, cats have several behaviors they exhibit when they feel remorse. If a cat yawns while being scolded, it’s a sign of remorse saying, ‘I did wrong~ Don’t scold me~’, and you can stop scolding. Also, if they avoid eye contact, groom themselves, run away and hide, or seem more subdued than usual, it means they are feeling remorseful. After some time has passed, speak to them in a gentle voice. When scolding a cat, it’s best to be firm and brief and to do it right at the scene of the wrongdoing. 

By. Hyun Joo Lee