Photo: cat behaviors, cats in a fight
Cats can be mysterious with cat behavior. They are, after all, cats who have lived their entire lives indoors, and they might not be used to the sounds and sights of the outdoors just yet. This can result in your cat acting out in ways that seem strange to you but make perfect sense to a cat. Cats are naturally curious, which is why some of these strange cat behaviors are so common.
Even though your cat might be trying to figure things out by behaving in ways that seem strange at first, it’s still important not to punish it for doing so. After all, you wouldn’t react the same way if people started acting odd for no reason either! Here we’ll explain some of the strangest cat behaviors so you can understand why your cat does them instead of getting annoyed or worried about what you don’t understand about it.
Stalking And Jumping
Cats stalk their prey by slowly moving toward a potential meal. This is with cats who follow their human owners around, constantly surveying the world from their limited perspective. This stalking behavior can also come out in your cat if it is feeling especially curious. If your cat suddenly gets much interest in something, it can be trying to figure out why by observing it closely and then moving on when it doesn’t understand exactly what it was so curious about. This is a very common cat behavior, and your cat might be trying to see if you understand why it’s acting so strangely.
Cats can also jump out of curiosity. This can take the form of your cat on the top of a bookshelf or counter, or it can be something more extreme like your cat trying to get onto the roof. This behavior can be dangerous if your cat is jumping out of a window or a similar height, so it’s important to keep an eye on it and make sure it doesn’t climb up there.
Pouncing And Biting
Some cats also pounce and attack their prey by stalking it, as we mentioned above. They do this with a methodical approach that is quiet and silent so that their prey doesn’t know their hunt. This predatory behavior can also come out in your curious cat as it tries to figure things out by observing closely and then trying to bite. Cats can also bite out of curiosity. This can be something that your cat sees and doesn’t understand, like another cat, or it can be something smaller than a cat, like a sock or other small object. Cats who pounce and bite out of curiosity are often doing it with a gentle touch to make sure they don’t hurt the object or person they’re playing with.
Scratching And Shedding
Like humans, cats in boredom or anxiety can also scratch. This can be a way for your cat to express itself when it’s feeling anxious or frustrated, or it can be something your cat is using as a way to mark its territory. Scratching is an important behavior in cats, as they need to mark their territory with a scent so other cats can recognize it as part of their home. If your cat is scratching or rubbing against something, it might be trying to mark it as part of its territory. This can also be something your cat is using to express its anxiety, as scratching often occurs when it is also very anxious or frustrated.
Your cat might also be shedding, especially if it is a younger cat. This is another important behavior for cats, as they need to shed their fur regularly so it doesn’t tangle up too much. If you notice your cat scratching its back against a wall or something else a lot, it might be trying to remove the loose fur that it has built up.
Rubbing And Grooming
Like humans, most cats like to groom themselves. This is especially common in cats that are well-groomed, as they need to groom their own fur to keep it well-groomed and free of any mats or tangles. If your cat is grooming itself a lot, it might be feeling anxious or bored, which can lead to a lot of self-grooming. If your cat is grooming itself in the same spot, it might be trying to clean up something of its mess. Your cat might also be grooming something else, like a stuffed toy it likes or a piece of furniture. This could be your cat showing you it wants to play with you and making sure you know it’s there.
Urinating And Feces Removal
Some cats will urinate or defecate when they are feeling curious or upset. This is usually in young cats who are exploring their world and might not adapt to the new smells and sights that are part of the outdoor world. This is also something that older cats sometimes find themselves doing, which can be a sign of a health problem. If your cat urinates outside the litter box, you should check to see if it is having trouble walking or if it is getting older, as these symptoms can be part of the problem. When your cat is urinating outside the litter box as a sign that it is feeling anxious, it should get training from a cat behavior specialist for help. If you notice your cat urinating less than normal or has stopped doing it altogether, you should take it to a cat behavior specialist.
Crawling Or Climbing: Cat Behaviors
Some cats also like to explore their surroundings by climbing or exploring their environment by using their claws to dig under things. This is usually in young cats who are being, or in older cats who may develop arthritis or something similar. If you notice your cat is frequently climbing or digging, it might be trying to solve a problem or has accidentally found something that it shouldn’t be able to get to. A climbing wall might be a good place to look for clues about why your cat is trying to climb. If your cat is climbing a wall or digging in an area where there isn’t anything it would normally be able to get to, it might just want to get closer to you.
Hide And Seek: Cat Behaviors
Some cats like to hide and wait for you to find them. This can be seen in kittens and young cats who are trying to play, or in older cats who are feeling sad or lonely. When your cat is hiding in a specific place and then trying to get you to find it, it might just want someone to pet or play with something it has found. If your cat hides a lot, you should take it to a cat behavior specialist to help figure out what it is doing. If your cat is hiding or seeking help when it isn’t sick, or feeling sad, it could be boring.
Other Common Cat Behaviors Explained
Some cats also like to stalk their prey and jump from high places, and some like to pounce and bite at people or toys that are not food. These are just some of the more common cat behaviors that you might notice. There are lots of other ways that your cat can show curiosity and try to understand things, and you can find out more by visiting your local cat behavior specialist.