What Does My Cat's Behavior Mean?
When it comes to cat behavior there is one thing you can be fairly sure of, and that is that no two will act exactly alike. Some cats are aloof, some are cuddly, but all are as individual in their attitudes as their human counterparts. There are some things, however, that all cats do that often leave their owners wondering exactly why they do the particular things they do.
One cat behavior that is probably the thing that makes cats such fantastic pets is their penchant for kneading. Cats are perhaps the only animal on the planet that will pet you back. Their ‘bread dough’ kneading motion is a remnant of kittenhood. As babies kittens use their tiny paws to knead their mother’s belly to encourage milk letdown. This brings a great feeling of security and comfort and as they grow they continue that action to create a sense of loving comfort and warmth and caring with the people they love.
Another curious cat behavior is purring. That awesome sound is soothing and comforting to us and many cat owners wonder exactly why their cats do that? Most people believe it is a sign of a cat being content and peaceful—and for the most part they are right. That sound that is so soothing to us, is also soothing to them and they make it when they feel good and comfortable. However, what many people do not know is that cats often purr when they are sick, or distressed as well. It isn’t that the sound is caused by their discomfort or distress, but rather it is like a human rocking themselves to comfort their ill feelings. Most of the time you can tell that a cat is purring because it is happy and comfortable and as long as no other signs of trouble exists you can feel good knowing that soothing sound means your cat is just pleased to be with you.
Another curious cat behavior that sometimes leaves their owners perplexed is their cat’s desire to rub their heads against them. This is really very primal on the cat’s behalf. Cats have scent glands alongside their heads located between the bottom of their ears and the corners of their eyes. Most cats have thinner coats in that area as well, mostly because they rub that area against things so often. They rub against the things they love, the things they want to mark as familiar, to show possession and family connection. So when your cat rubs his head against you, take comfort in it being his way of saying you are his.
There are many wonderful things our cats do, but the most enjoyable cat behavior of all is their ability to make us smile, and bring us joy. The aloof, fun-loving, surprisingly compassionate cat is an amazing companion for people of all ages.