Understanding Cat Behavior – Why Cats Do The Things They Do

Understanding Cat Behavior

Understanding Cat Behavior – Why Cats Do The Things They Do

Understanding cat behavior is the key to having a well behaved cat as well as bonding with him.

Most people really believe cats are anti-social and selfish, only showing affection to their owners when they want food. Read also: How cat ownership can benefit humans.

The truth is most cats really do crave human affection. Usually they are there to greet their owners when they first arrive home, brushing up against them and meowing happily. Eager to sit in their owners lap and be stroked.

Even cats who aren’t lap cats will miss you if you go away for even a few days. For example, my cat Oscar will let me pet him, but does not like to be held. Whenever I go away for more than a day, he’ll let me know he missed me by curling up next to me in bed the first few days I’m back. Once he knows I’m here to stay, he’ll go back to sleeping at the foot of the bed or his mat. Every cat has his own unique way of showing his appreciation for you.

In fact cats are really sensitive creatures and are devastated if they are abandoned by their owners.

Cats have no problem letting you know when they are content, angry, or frightened. Read also: Understanding Cat Behavior.

If a cat is content, usually his ears are standing straight up on his head with his tail up in the air while purring.

You can tell a cat is angry when his ears are folded back while giving you a fixed stare, accompanied by a thumping tail. Usually he will growl or hiss or both. He is warning you to back off.

When his ears are flattened against his head with his pupils being dilated that means the cat is really scared.

Have you ever noticed how a cat rubs his face against people and furniture? They have scent glands around their mouth to mark their territory.

Another way cats mark their territory is by scratching. Cats need to scratch in order to clean their nails and to stretch. Scratching is natural to cats. You can’t stop a cat from scratching, but you can train a cat to use only the scratching post or pad as well as train them not to shred the furniture and drapes.

Cats leave their pheromones by spraying to mark their territory, to relieve stress, communicate with another cat. This can be really annoying when they do it indoors. One of the most effective ways to stop cat spraying is by having your cat neutered or spayed. Also figuring out what could be making your cat stressed and relieving his stress is another way to nip the problem in the bud. Read also: Cats love to hunt: it's in their genes.

Never yell or use physical punishment to try to correct your cat”s spraying problem. It will make the cat afraid of you and it won’t solve the problem.

Yes cats do have quirky behaviors which drive you crazy sometimes, but they have their own personalities that make them so lovable.