Meowing sweetly
If a cat is softly meowing to you, they’re simply just saying hello! Whether it’s when you come home from work, or when they enter the room you’re in, it’s their way of greeting you. If you hear them uttering these meows, then they are overjoyed to see you! But don’t mistake these for an aggressive meow, those mean something totally different!
Laying on things
Cats are generally independent and will do most things on their own, however, like all of us, they do crave attention sometimes. When they are bored or feel ignored, they will come between you and the thing you are focusing on to try and gain your attention back onto them. It’s a smart technique and it’s something us humans wish we could in everyday life!
Hissing
If you own a cat, then you will be more than aware that this trait does not mean your cat is happy. When cats hiss, it’s usually because they feel threatened or irritated. This behavior is often seen when they come face to face with another cat. To help them through this (and to not be attacked yourself!) give them space until they’ve calmed down.
Giving love bites
Often a ‘love bite’ from a cat is mistaken for an actual bite, however this is not the case. An actual bite implies anger and aggression, whereas when a cat gently nibbles you, it’s more than likely a display of affection. Think about it this way, when cats are kittens, their mothers and siblings will often give each other ‘love bites’ too. So it’s basically them seeing you as part of the family!
Twitching ears
Twitching ears can mean three things. Firstly, it could mean they’re on high alert – maybe there’s another cat around, or a dog. Secondly, it could mean you, or something else, are touching their ears accidentally which causes them to twitch. Finally, if the cats ears are twitching several times per minute then this could mean they have an ear infection.
Laying on your chest
This is a beautiful behavior that you should feel thankful to have if your cat does it. A cat laying on your chest is them wanting to sense your heartbeat, feeling safe and at ease on your chest. They want to feel loved and comforted, and what’s the best place for that? As close as they can possibly get to you – on your chest!
Purring
Purring is not only a comforter for those hearing the purr, but it’s actually comforting for the cats themselves, too. Cats will purr when they are relaxed, maybe from being stroked in the perfect spot or feeling at home. They will also purr as a way to combat any stress that they may be feeling at the time.
Following you to the bathroom
Cats are known to be super independent, but it’s so funny how incredibly needy they can also be. They will happily follow you everywhere, not to mention them trying to follow where you’re going by walking in front of you! Just enjoy the attention whilst it lasts and be happy you aren’t being bitten instead!
Howling
When a cat howls, it’s usually to signal distress. This means they may be in physical pain, miss their human companions, or are scared. However, another way that this howling can be interpreted is it actually being a mating call. If you hear your cat making this noise, be sure to comfort them and take them to the vets if needed.
Chewing on inedible objects
Chewing can be one of two things, it can either be a lighthearted play, whereby they just need something to chew on because they’re maybe teething or wanting something to play with. Or it could be a sign of pica, a condition where the cat has a nutritional deficiency and has the urge to eat inedible objects. Take your cat to the vet for professional advice if you see this.
Hiding
You may think that your fur baby is playing a game of hide-and-seek when you haven’t seen them for a while. In reality, cats squeeze themselves into small places in order to feel safe – away from open, vulnerable environments. It’s also thought that being in a confined space reminds them of their time as a kitten, nestled against their mother.
Bringing you items
As gross as it may seem, your cat bringing you a dead mouse is actually a huge compliment! Cats bring their prey back to a place they feel safe and secure, sharing their plunder with those that they feel need it the most. Essentially, cats think that you’ll appreciate a mouse carcass being delivered to your doorstep.
Flattening their ears
If a cat flattens their ears, take a few steps back. This is usually a sign of aggression, a behavior that’s exhibited when they’re ready to pounce. The best course of action is to leave them be, waiting for their surge of anger to pass.
Knocking things over
Cats never pass up an opportunity to knock things off the kitchen counter, watching in satisfaction as they plummet to the ground. The reason behind this strange activity? Boredom. Your cat is likely finding their day-to-day life monotonous, so try and include some more playtime into your cat’s routine.
No longer burying their droppings
Cats are proud creatures, covering the scent of their waste by coating it with litter. If your cat suddenly stops doing this, it’s a cause for concern as it usually indicates some sort of health issue. Take your pet to the vet to seek their professional advice on the matter.
Scratching everything
As annoying as it may be, cats often scratch household items in order to keep their claws from growing too long. If your pet is destroying your home, consider buying them a scratching post, giving them a designated area for all of their grooming habits.
Lifting their rear end
Don’t mistake your cat’s change in body language for distaste. In fact, if a cat raises its bum while you’re stroking it, it’s a sign that they’re enjoying your massage. They move and wriggle around a fair bit, but that’s only to get their owner to stroke them in exactly the right spot.
Stretching
Cats are often seen stretching their limbs, particularly after a satisfying nap. Cats stretch for the same reason as humans – simply because it feels good. Cats also get into yoga poses in order to keep their muscles nice and healthy, priming them for catching prey.
Wagging their tail
While a dog wagging its tail is a sign of happiness, it means quite the opposite for a cat. Your furry friend will wag their tail as a warning sign, showing their rapidly growing irritation, meaning it’s best to leave them be. A slow twitch, however, can indicate concentration.
Chattering at their prey
This strange form of behavior is purely down to your cat’s DNA, with their born hunter impulses kicking in. Felines tend to chatter at their prey as an intimidation tactic, with scientists believing that the odd behavior stems from their deeply embedded natural instincts.
Showing their belly
If a cat shows you its stomach, you should feel deeply honored. It’s a huge sign of trust, exposing the most vulnerable part of their bodies, inviting you to stroke their soft fur. Sometimes, a cat will expose their tummy while rolling around, beckoning you to play with them.
They run around the house
Cats are fuzzy balls of energy, resulting in frequent bursts of exercise. If your cat sprints around your home when you return from work, it means that they’re happy to see you. If they do it randomly, it’s a sign that they need more mental stimulation to burn off their pent-up energy.
Sniffing your face
There’s nothing quite as sweet as your cute cat’s face being inches from yours, with them eagerly sniffing your nose. They’re trying to check that you are, in fact, you – double-checking your scent. If they rub their face into yours, they’re trying to put their scent on you, showing their love for their owner.
Kneading
Sometimes, a cat will press their paws against your chest, pushing down and repeating the motion. The reason they do this is because it reminds them of their mother, showing that they view you as their sole provider, while expressing their sense of happiness.
The silent treatment
It’s likely that your cat will ignore your pleas and beckons no matter how often you summon them over. There’s nothing wrong with their hearing – your fur baby is just ignoring you. Don’t take it personally – cats are proud creatures, only wanting attention when it suits them.
Making noises at night
Cats have the annoying habit of screeching into the small hours, disturbing your slumber. They do this when they’re attempting to hunt prey, or out of frustration if no prey is available. Play with them before bedtime to tire them out before you hit the hay for a more peaceful night’s sleep.
Sleeping a lot
If your cat spends most of the day in a peaceful doze, it’s usually not a cause for concern. Felines preserve their energy by napping, preferring to keep their energy levels intact for when they want to embark on a hunt. Sometimes, cats sleep due to boredom, so ensure you’re frequently interacting with your furry pal.
Putting their head against the wall
If your cat places its head against the wall, it could be them trying to cool themselves down. If the behavior is accompanied by strange noises, however, take your furry friend to the vet – it could be a sign of nerve damage, trauma, or poisoning.
Pouncing on your feet
Every cat owner has been there – you’re relaxing, trying to watch the TV, when your cat suddenly pounces on your feet, wrapping their claws around you. It’s not a sign of aggression, but instead a game they like to play, treating your extremities as an imaginary prey.
Relaxing
You’ll often see your cat lounging about your home, acting like they own the place. If they’re forever in a pose of relaxation, it shows that they see the house as their ultimate sanctuary. Furthermore, it also enforces their level of love, showing that they fully trust you.
Getting buzzed on catnip
Most cats respond positively to catnip, making them act energetic. This is because the leafy herb contains nepetalactone – a compound that gives 70% of cats a trip, resulting in a 10-minute burst of energy. Fun fact – catnip also affects big cats such as lions and tigers!
Landing on their feet
Cats have the uncanny ability of landing on their paws, no matter from what great height they fall from. This is because these animals have lightweight bodies and bones, granting them a sense of balance that would be the envy of any pro gymnast.
Eating grass
If your cat is constantly chomping on grass, it may be their way of self-purging any potential digestive issues. It’s usually nothing to worry about, as grass contains folic acid – an essential in any cat’s diet. If they’re obsessively eating the greens, however, it may be worth talking to a vet.
Nibbling their nails
Humans bite their nails due to anxiety – but is the same reason behind your cat’s behavior? Not quite. More often than not, a cat chews their own nails to groom them, though it can be due to a growing sense of boredom. If the nail nibbling is constant, seek a vet’s advice.
Licking themselves
Cats love to be clean, resulting in multiple sessions a day where they lick their own fur. Their barb-like tongues stimulate their glands at the root of their fur, promoting cleaner, flourishing locks. Their self-grooming habits can also remove any nasty, hidden fleas.
Ignoring their litter box
Your cat may have once been exhibiting perfect toilet habits. Suddenly, they’ve started defecating on the living room floor, leaving cat poop everywhere. It may be due to the fact that you don’t change their litter box frequently enough – or that they simply don’t like the location you picked out for them to do their business.
Sneaking in the shadows
You may have experienced a fright when your cat leaps from the shadows, seemingly appearing out of nowhere. Cats enjoy sticking to the darkness due to their primal instincts, with their wild side telling them to linger in the shadows in order to catch their prey.
Head bops
If a cat bops its head against yours, consider yourself a valued, cherished member of its family. Otherwise known as bunting, a cat presses their head against yours to spread its pheromones, essentially marking you as someone they consider to be safe and trustworthy.
Pawing water
It’s a common misconception that cats hate water. In fact, they find the substance fascinating, often dipping a claw into its murky depths. Many cats are also fussy, preferring to drink water from fresh sources, so they tap the H2O in order to encourage movement.
Curling up into a ball
Cats can often appear tiny while they’re napping, transforming their long bodies into adorable little fuzz balls. They sleep like this in order to stay warm and comfortable, all while protecting their vulnerable tummy area from any potential threats. If you see a cat snoozing like this, leave them be, allowing them to enjoy their slumber.