Cats are often considered aloof. They mind their own business as they watch the world go by, and only approach their owners when they want attention. That’s only partly true. Felines can exhibit a wide range of behaviors, some of them positive while others are not as desirable. Understanding your cat’s behavior will equip you to deal with certain situations that your cat might face. Here, we dissect some common cat habits.
Sleeping for long hours
Felines can sleep for up to 16 horns a day, but most of the time they are merely taking catnaps. This means that they do not go into a deep sleep but are catching forty winks, as their eyes do not fully close. It is believed that cats in the wild take catnaps to preserve energy for hunting. This behavior is thought to remain in domesticated felines.
Stalking and biting
Because cats are predators, it is natural that they stalk, chase and may bite or scratch their ‘prey’, be it a toy mouse, a flying insect or even your ankle. Rest assured that this is normal behavior and he does not mean any harm when he does so. Kittens without playmates tend to exhibit this behavior. The logic is simple-when kittens have playmates, they usually pounce on each other to hone their predatory skills, and to kill boredom. Without littermates, they turn to their owners during playtime and this could be perceived as aggressiveness. In certain cases, some cats do become aggressive when over-excited
Back arching
When cats are threatened, they instinctively arch their backs and puff up their fur. This makes them look bigger and more intimidating. They may also hiss, in an attempt to scare predators away, and can be aggressive if the need arises.
Kneading
At times when you’re sitting on the couch, your furry companion might jump up beside you and begin pushing his paws on the area he intends to settle down. If you watch carefully, his toes will spread and close, as if he were kneading dough. Kittens often practice this because they have learnt that a kneading motion will supply milk from their mother’s teats. Adult cats retain this habit as a sign of affection for their owners, although some female cats in or approaching heat may also exhibit this behavior.
Burying waste
Some cats may bury their waste each time they defecate. This is a natural instinct-kittens often bury their waste and cats in the wild do so as well, to avoid alerting predators to their presence. Such behavior is likely to be observed in a multi-cat household where there are dominance issues. Submissive cats are likely to bury their faeces and it is usually a territorial message when they leave their waste unburied. Even in a single-cat household, you may notice your furry friend scratching away at its litter tray in an attempt to hide its scent. This implies that it feels that you are dominant.
