Behavioral Detective
Hi I am back again with another blog for cat owners, for potential cat owners like you, or even for people who are just interested in learning more about cats in general! Today we will be discussing what I found out to be one of the most important issues of which cat owners struggle with according to NCBI: reading cat behavior. Although I do not have a cat, I am currently learning about psychology which I find to be very fascinating so I am hoping that you too will find this a topic of interest.
Purring
We know that our cats purr but what does that really mean? When a cat purrs, for the most part, it means that they are feeling comfortable and happy which is probably what you were expecting. However, cats will also purr to express their feelings of stress due to unfamiliar situations or surroundings. Cats may also purr if they are feeling sick or injured. So how can you tell if this is a positive or negative purr? A way to tell if it is a negative purr is if your kitten is purring excessively or in situations when purring isn't common. You will also be able to combine what will be said in the next few informative paragraphs regarding other behavior to help you distinguish between negative and positive purring.
Climbing
Cats love climbing and this behavior is genetic since they are naturally great predators. A higher vantage point gives them a better view of their surroundings making them feel more comfortable. For such reasons, if you have multiple cats in your house, you may find the same cat on the highest perch. This signifies that they are the dominant cat.
Warmth and Loafs of Bread
Something familiar that both cat and dog owners know of is how both sides of the spectrum love curling up into that tight little ball to sleep. This provides the animal warmth and security (you can think of it the same way as how most people prefer sleeping in the fetal position!). A similar behavior to this is what is called the "loafing around" position in which the cat curls their paws under themselves to form a shape that makes them look like a loaf of bread. This too, also helps to regulate body heat and conserve warmth but it is also used to communicate to you their curiosity or their feelings of wanting to play.
A Cat’s Alternative to Barking
Just like how dogs communicate with their owners through barking and whimpering, cats communicate with their owners through meowing. There are a number of reasons why a cat will meow with a few being feelings of hunger, loneliness, or maybe even to just say hello to you! Excessive meowing however can indicate pain or injury. For such reasons, avoid punishing a cat for meowing because in most cases, your kitten is trying to communicate with you.
Aggression
All cats like all organisms have the potential to be aggressive so it is important as a cat owner to know of the signs of aggressive behavior. There are common behaviors that signal aggression which includes a stiff, straight-legged upright stance, stiffened rear legs with a lowered head, and a direct stare along with growling and hissing. Cats tend to be more aggressive when they are injured or feeling afraid or believe that they are in danger. If you believe that your cat's injury is causing their aggression, you should bring the cat to a pet care professional to see if there is an underlying reason for the aggression.
Chatter
You probably have heard your cat emit fast and intense teeth chattering. It is believed by behavioral scientists that this is because your cat is frustrated that they cannot go outside to hunt prey or they may be excited and slightly aggravated. So if you hear your cat making this sound, just know that this behavior is completely normal!
A Cat’s Version of the Best Massage
If you have ever had your cat press their paws into you and massage back and forth, this is their way of expressing that they are content or trying to alleviate stress. A few other behaviors that you may have noticed is if your kitten has a twitchy tail. A twitchy tail signifies that your cat may be excited, focused, or in hunting mode. Once your kitten is calm, the tail twitching should subside.
Eyes and Ears
What we will be covering last are none other than the eyes and ears. If you see your kitten staring you down, that might mean that they are trying to get your attention. However, if the stare is intense (think of a staring contest), this could mean that the cat is on high alert about something or someone. Thus, it is highly recommended to not stare at your cat directly in the eyes as this will be considered to be a challenge. On the other hand, if you have ever noticed your cat slowly blinking at you, this is your feline’s way of showing affection. You can even try blinking slowly back at them to tell them that the feeling is mutual! Finally are the ears. If your kitten’s ears are twitching back and forth, it is an indication that your cat is feeling anxious and possibly agitated. But if their ears are just slightly pointed upright, it means that they are on alert and listening intently to their surroundings.
I hope that this blog included some information you have found to be interesting to which you will also be able to apply to real life situations. You could also maybe even use this information to help improve your relationship with your feline! As I always like to say, stay safe and I will see you in the next one :)
Citations:
[1] Cat Behavior Tag Archives - Page 2 of 2 - Pet Insurance ... https://www.petsbest.com/blog/tag/cat-behavior/amp/page/2/.
[2] Center, The Drake. “15 Strange Cat Behaviors Explained.” The Drake Center For Veterinary Care, https://www.thedrakecenter.com/services/cats/blog/15-strange-cat-behaviors-explained.
[3] Grigg, Emma K, and Lori R Kogan. “Owners' Attitudes, Knowledge, and Care Practices: Exploring the Implications for Domestic Cat Behavior and Welfare in the Home.” Animals : an Open Access Journal from MDPI, MDPI, 15 Nov. 2019, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6912669/.