Understanding Your Cat's Behavior
Do you and your cat enjoy a chat? Although we don’t speak the same language, cats do communicate with their humans all the time. That’s right, sometimes those incessant “meows” mean more than "give me a tummy scrub" or "please top off the food bowl!" Sometimes, understanding your cat’s behavior requires a little bit of translation.
Don’t worry, we’re not saying you need to become fluent in the feline language. However, picking up on cat body language and getting a sense of cat communication can be a significant helper. Let’s explore some of these aspects and see how you can become the next best Dr. Doolittle for your furry friend!
What Does It Mean? Understanding Your Cat’s Behavior.
The Zoomies
What’s that zoomie all about? Those weird and wacky moments when your cat gets the crazies and suddenly darts about the house at night is simply a way of releasing pent-up energy.
As a hunter, your cat would spend energy on hunting if it wasn’t enjoying easy meals from you. You can help by waving a feather and providing other cat toys for daily exercise. The better stimulated they are, the less likely it will be to see your kitty racing around corners. Plus there are plenty of other benefits too.
Another indicator that your purrrfect cat needs some more attention is if you see them knocking things off counters. Although the memes that come from this behavior do warrant a giggle or two, it’s a firm sign that your kitty needs some extra attention.
The Chirping and Clicking
Would you believe us if we told you that cat communication is actually a thing? There are ways for our furry friends to tell us exactly what they want!
You may even know these cues as those soft, chirping sounds you often hear. Soft chirps in your direction means that your cat wants you to follow them somewhere. Probably to their cat bowl. They get this from their mamas as it’s used to tell the kitties to follow her.
If the chirping is more of a jaw clicking, the chances are your furbaby has spotted a bird or squirrel. They’re imagining the ‘kill bite’ if they had the opportunity to catch one! Who would have thought that cat body language could be so fur-ocious?
The Feline Love
Ah, the sweet feeling of feline love. There’s nothing quite like it! But, if you’re a new furparent, you may be wondering how it’s expressed.
If you’re surprised by a gentle nip when you’re stroking your cat, and she is purring, it’s merely a ‘love bite.’ This is reminiscent of how a mother cat nibbles her kittens when grooming. But if it is a sharp or strong bite – this means your cat is overstimulated and wants her space. It’s best to back off here as you may end up with a nasty scratch and a sulking kitty.
Another way your cat may express her love is with a soft headbutt. They’re marking you as a member of their family. Licking you is also a sign of affection, based on a mom cat’s behavior with her kittens. It’s saying ‘calm down’ and ‘I love you’. The same is true of kneading you with paws.
Warning: cuteness overload in the next sentence! Slow blinking is actually a kitty kiss. That’s right, our furry friends can use their cat body language to share their kisses with us hoomans. Try responding with a similar slow blink a few times. However, don’t stare at your cat – no matter how beautiful they are. Cats see an unblinking stare as a challenge!
The Anxiety
Are you often finding your cat under beds or hiding in small spaces? This type of behavior can be seen as a sign of anxiety.
Loud noises can be particularly scary for cats, which will cause them to retreat. Make sure your cat has access to high places to feel more confident when there are lots of people around. You may even notice that this starts to happen when new family or pets enter the home too. Cats love their safe spaces, and any disruptions can make them feel a little uneasy.
Understanding your cat’s behavior doesn’t require complicated science. Tuning into cat body language and cat communication signals are the only tools you need to become completely furluent! With this in mind, if there are any extreme signs of anxiety or behavior issues, it’s always best to consult the professionals. A vet or trusted behavioralist will help you navigate a path towards healthy communication.
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