Cat Behavior
From LoveToKnow Cats
Cat behavior can be entertaining, perplexing and sometimes downright annoying, but it's always fascinating. Come find out why your feline does what it does.
Cat Behavior for the Novice
If you've never had a feline before, you may find cat behavior perplexing, particularly if you are used to Dogs dogs, since many of the signals cats send mean the opposite of the same signal from a dog.
For instance, a gently waving tail on a dog is a sign of happiness; a vigorously lashing tail a sign of delirious rapture. If a cat's tail is gently waving, be warned - the cat is in stalking mode. And if it's lashing from side to side, the cat is mad and/or about to pounce.
Children can get into trouble by mistaking these cues, and many a child has gotten scratched by a ticked-off cat because they thought the lashing tail was a happy tail.
Kneading
Cats' kneading behavior has perplexed many people - they seem to be softening up a spot to lie down, yet often don't lie down, just continue working their paws as if kneading bread.
This is an instinctive cat behavior; when kittens knead their mother's tummy while nursing, it stimulates the flow of milk. That's not to say grown cats kneading are hungry or looking for milk - in weaned cats, it's just a comfort thing, like thumb-sucking in toddlers.
If a kneading cat keeps getting his claws stuck in the upholstery or bedding, it's time for a nail trim.
Purring
Purring is often seen as an external vocalization of a contented kitty. And it's certainly true that cats sitting in a zen meat loaf with paws all tucked in are often purring contentedly. Lap cats are noted purr-sters, some with a purr that can be heard across a room.
But cats also purr in stressful situations, such as at a vet's. So what is a purr? Physically, cats produce the purr by vibrating their throat in a certain way, but why? Mother cats purr when their kittens are nursing, nursing kittens purr, and house cats purr while being petted. Is it all just a reflex?
There's actually a lot of active science being pursued in cat purring right now. Some people feel that the purr is a way to induce calm in a stressed cat, a kind of mantra for their nerves.
The most interesting research shows that cats purr at a frequency that has already been shown to promote healing in broken bones, so another theory is that cats purr to heal themselves. This begs the question of why would a healthy cat purr. A number of people have produced 'healing CDs' that feature the sound of a cat's purr to promote healing in human ailments.
Rubbing
Cats rub on objects to mark them with their scent. This is a territory claiming cat behavior. If you have multiple cats, you can get into a competitive claiming cycle as each cat tries to claim you as their exclusive property. "My person." "No, MY person." "I said this was my person."
Scratching
Cats scratch, the conventional wisdom goes, to 'sharpen their claws'. This is true, in a manner of speaking, but not in the conventional sense. After all, wouldn't scratching with a sharp tool actually dull the point?
Cats' claws grow out over time, and flake off in scales, revealing the layer beneath, much like a snake sheds its skin. If you've had a cat for any length of time, you've probably discovered these 'nail clippings' in the carpet or upholstery. Scratching helps a cat loosen the oldest layer of claw so that it will fall off. It also exercises legs, neck and shoulder muscles, which is why cats prefer taller scratching posts, or scratching on the carpet.
If your cat's claws are too sharp, they will catch or snag on loose fabric, and dig in when the cat is sitting on laps, so keep them trimmed with a nail trimmer. See training kittens for advice on how to trim cat nails.
Conclusion
Now you know the motivation behind many common kinds of cat behavior. There are probably still at least one hundred other peculiarities you'd like to understand about your feline friend, but you probably never will. That's just part of the joy and adventure of sharing your life with a cat. Accept it and enjoy!
Comments
Hi Ali,
The belly is a very vulnerable spot. Some cats really hate to have their stomachs rubbed. The pet rescue centers typically do check cats over for wellness, so it probably is not an illness, but just a personality quirk. I would just refrain from petting her belly.
If you notice that she is in any pain, you may want to go ahead and take her to the vet, however. Also watch for these symptoms:
- Lethargy
- Lack of appetite
- Increased thirst
- Problems using litter box
Otherwise, it just sounds like you're both getting to know one another and need to figure out what the other likes :) Also, good for you for giving a cat a home. The shelter animals I've owned have all been wonderful.
-- Contributed by: LoriSoardI just bought a 1 1/2 year old cat from Petsmart today. I took her home and let her explore the apartment. I followed her around a little to make sure she didn't get into anything she wasn't supposed to. A little after an hour that she'd been home, she layed down. I was excited because she hadn't seemed relaxed at all since we'd gotten there. I went down on the floor to pet her, and everything was fine. Finally, I started rubbing her belly, and she freaked out..I thought it was just a tiff so I let it go. I did it again two more times, and both times she freaked. Could it be because I wasn't giving her her space? Or maybe because she just isn't used to all this yet? Any advice would be greatly appreciated..
-- Contributed by: AliHi Nichole,
It sounds like your cat may not yet feel completely secure in his new surroundings. Either that, or he is trying to establish with the Persian that he is boss - period. :)
What you've tried does work in many cases, but it sounds like you need to take a more drastic approach to try to work this out. Understand that the two cats may never be best friends. Your goal is simply to gain some peace in your household, so that the two cats tolerate one another's presence.
First, I would go ahead and separate your cat into a contained area for about a week. Ideally, this is where his litter, food and water are going to be permanently too. If you don't already have separate boxes for him and your boyfriend's cat, then you should purchase separate litter boxes and food and water bowls. That can create a lot of conflict right there.
After a week, place your cat into a carrier or crate (something with slots or holes. Take him into the main living area of the house, where you spend most of your time. Leave the cage in that area for one hour with him inside. Allow the other cat to sniff the cage and check it out.
After an hour, open the door and allow him to come out. The minute he attacks or acts aggressively toward the Persian, place him back into the cage for another hour. Repeat this up to three times a session, returning him to the contained room if the experiment has not been successful.
Be patient. It can sometimes take several weeks for this process to work. It may seem like a huge commitment, but it will be worth it in the end.
I would not, even after he and the Persian finally start to get along, leave him alone with the other cat, as he may attack when you aren't watching. This is to protect both cats and prevent injury.
Hope this helps!
-- Contributed by: LoriSoardThis page has been accessed 6,703 times. This page was last modified 02:40, 1 October 2007.
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