Scratching Post: What You Should Know About Your Cat’s Strange Ways

Anyone who has spent time with cats knows that they are enigmatic and mysterious creatures. Their baffling behaviors often leave us scratching our heads and asking ourselves, “What the heck?!” From knocking things off shelves to zooming around the house for no apparent reason, the most important thing you should know about your cat’s peculiar behaviors is that most of them are normal and quite common.

Keep in mind that cats, like people, have unique individual personalities. This means that you can expect to see variations in behaviors from cat to cat, with each cat possibly engaging in behaviors differently, to a lesser extent, or not at all. With that said, let’s look at some of the most common cat behaviors and see what they mean. 

Kneading

Kneading, often referred to as “making biscuits,” is an instinctual behavior where a cat alternates pushing its paws into a soft surface in a similar way to someone kneading dough. Kittens do this to stimulate milk from their mother when they are nursing, but many cats continue to knead into adulthood. It’s believed that adult cats knead soft objects like blankets to recreate the sense of calm and relaxation that nursing provided them as kittens.

Kneading is a great way for cats to stretch their muscles and relieve stress. Some may even suckle on soft objects while kneading as a way to further comfort themselves. Cats are often seen exhibiting kneading behavior when tamping down bedding or grass before lying down. It’s also believed that kneading is a way for cats to claim ownership of things by transferring pheromones from their paws onto these objects.

Drinking from Faucet

If you have a cat that prefers to, or will only drink from a faucet, don’t worry, it’s a quite common behavior. Cats are naturally drawn to running water, and many prefer their water to be fresh and cool. In fact, cats in the wild understand that drinking stagnant water can harmful, and they seek out fresh running water for hydration. Chances are domestic cats are simply driven by instinct to drink fresh flowing water.

If you’re concerned that running tap water at your home may not be safe for your cat to drink, consider getting them a cat fountain with a continuous flow of fresh water. When shopping for a fountain, look for one that has a dual-filtration system. Activated carbon filters work to remove bad tastes and odors, while foam filters remove dirt and hair. Also, consider how well-made it is, how easy it is to clean, and the noise level that it produces.

Purring

Purring is totally normal behavior for a cat (although some cats don’t purr at all). If your cat is purring, they are probably in a state of calm contentment. But this is not always the case. A cat’s purr can also communicate other emotions and needs they may have. Purring could also indicate that your cat is ill, nervous, anxious, or that they are excitingly anticipating mealtime.

A stressed or ill cat may purr at a higher frequency accompanied by frequent meowing. A cat with food on their mind at feeding time may purr and let out little mews of excitement. In context with other behaviors, you should be able to tell if your cat is happy or not. Contact your vet if you have concerns regarding your cat’s purr.

Face Rubbing and Head Butting

When your cat head butts you, presses its forehead head against you, or rubs its face on you, it’s a good thing. It’s called bunting, and is much like a fist bump between friends. This is your cats way of saying hello, showing affection, and marking you with their scent. This means they trust you and consider you their human.

If you receive a head bunt from your cat, be sure to acknowledge it by giving them some pets around their head, neck, and chin area. Of course they may be wanting more from you – they are cats after all. They may want to be picked up and cuddled, or they may be simply finessing you for a treat.

Chirping and Chattering

Chirping, also known as a chirrup, is a short, high-pitched call like the sound a bird makes. Mother cats will use this to call her kittens, but some adult cats may use it to get the attention of other cats or people. Commonly, a cat will chirp when they spot potential prey like birds or squirrels outside that they can’t get to. This indicates that they are equally excited and frustrated.

Chattering, or twittering, is a smacking sound that cats produce by rapidly stuttering or clicking their teeth and shuddering their jaw. Chattering is almost always accompanied by chirping and is also the result of prey being spotted outside of a window. This behavior stems from a cat’s hunting instincts and is likely a tactic used to mimic their prey while hunting.

Night Vocalizing

Cats are known for their vocalizations, and meowing is the most common way for them to communicate with you. Unfortunately, some cats are more active and talkative at night when you are trying to sleep. There are several reasons why your cat might meow at night, with boredom, understimulation, loneliness, and hunger being the most common. However, night vocalizing could be an indication of an underlying health issue. If your cat’s nighttime vocalizations are excessive, you should consult your vet.

Being woken up at night by a meowing cat can be disruptive to your sleep, but there are things you can try to help prevent them doing it. You can try playing with them before bed to tire them out, by leaving food and water out for them, giving them extra love and affection prior to sleeping, or by simply ignoring them. If your cat’s meows are accompanied by them trying to play with your feet or pawing at your face, try to redirect their energy by tossing them some ZippyClaws toys to play with.

Sitting in Cardboard Boxes

Okay, we all know that cats love cardboard boxes, but most of us don’t know why. It’s such a cute behavior that many of us don’t even question it – we just toss them our empty boxes from recent deliveries and let them play. Well, it turns out that giving your cat a cardboard box to sit in is more than just cute, it provides them with a beneficial enrichment tool that helps promote their overall well-being.

Cardboard boxes provide a safe, enclosed hiding place where they can feel secure, reducing stress and anxiety. The enclosed space can provide them with a warm and comfortable napping environment that is dim and dark, aiding in uninterrupted sleep. Cardboard boxes can help satisfy your cats curious nature by giving them something new to explore, and they can help satisfy your cat’s natural instincts by providing them with a concealed spot from which to hunt from. Plus, the texture of smell of cardboard works to stimulate your cat’s senses.

Knocking Things Over

Of all your cat’s quirky behaviors, knocking things over is one of the least desirable. Of course, this behavior is quite common and completely normal – it’s just how cats are wired. Cats love to hunt and play, so you shouldn’t be surprised if find your cat high upon a shelf, knocking over your plants, knickknacks, and collectibles. 

It’s likely that your cat is just following their instincts to hunt, wanting to play, or simply trying to get your attention. The best way to prevent it is to try to redirect their behavior by providing them with plenty of toys to play with and increasing the amount of time you spend playing with them. Another option is to cat-proof your home to keep the things you don’t want knocked over out of their reach.

Zooming

Zoomies, or FRAPs (frenetic random activity periods), is the term used to describe sudden bursts of hyperactivity that often includes your cat racing across the room, bouncing off the walls, batting things around, and meowing like crazy. This behavior is perfectly normal and usually doesn’t require your attention – other than for entertainment purposes. But, why do do cats do it?

A cat’s built-up energy can be unleashed randomly without warning. If your cat is understimulated during the day while you are not home, your cat will need to spend some of that stored energy. Playing with your cat can help them get some of that energy out, but there is another reason that might be causing their zoomies – and that’s “poo-phoria” – a euphoric post-poop feeling that triggers FRAPs. Whatever the reason, just sit back and enjoy the show.

Please note that if your cat is exhibiting behaviors that are bothersome or worrisome, consult your veterinarian. While most cat behaviors are normal, albeit strange, it’s best to err on the side of caution if you sense something might be wrong with your cat.