Understanding Cat Behavior
Cats express themselves in many different ways, and they use various forms of body language to communicate. To care for them well, you need to understand some basic cat behavior. You need to know why they do the things they do, and why they respond to certain situations the way they do.
Cat behavior is influenced by several factors such as the cat’s breed, the cat’s temperament, and the environment where the cat grew up. However, there are general patterns of behavior that are common among cats. These are displayed in distinct body languages that are easily recognizable.
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When your cat is feeling generally contented and satisfied, it kneads its paws on you. Sometimes you may find it kneading its paws on its favorite lounging surface. Kneading indicates that your cat is happy. According to studies, this cat behavior gives cats so much pleasure comparable to the pleasure humans get when they eat their favorite snacks or when they indulge in a pampering massage. However, when cats knead for more than 10 minutes, this can be a sign that they are restless.
Your cat displays affection by rubbing its face or its head over you. Slow blinking is another way by which your cat shows affection. This cat behavior also indicates that your cat feels secure with you. Your cat shows that it is happily satisfied with its surroundings by stretching. Sometimes, when cats are excited to greet someone they are affectionate with, their tail curves into the shape of a question mark. Your cat’s rubbing of its face or head over certain areas in your home is also an indication that the cat is marking its territory by leaving its scent on the area.
When your cat is agitated, its tail sweeps widely from left to right, sometimes near the floor and sometimes in mid-air. Your cat manifests the same behavior when its agitation turns to aggression. The wide swishing of the tail indicates that your cat is experiencing conflict with an external source. When this happens, your cat may either leave or attack whatever is causing its agitation.
Your cat shows its feeling of disgust by continuously shaking or lifting its paws. The more your cat does this, the stronger its feeling of disgust is. This lifting and shaking of paws is similar to the cat’s reaction when it accidentally steps into water. Sometimes, when your cat has strong feelings of disgust, it shakes not just one or two paws, but all four paws in turn. When your cat is displeased over something, it moves its ears back and swishes its tail swiftly.
When you discipline your cat, it will display submission to you by falling down on its side as you approach it. Through this behavior, your cat is communicating that it is acknowledging your authority and it is willing to submit to you.
The movement of your cat’s ears reveals a lot about how your cat is feeling. For example, when your cat’s ears are positioned upward and slightly forward, this means it is greatly interested in whatever it is observing. When its ears are backward, this means they do not like what they are seeing and have no wish to be a part of it. This cat behavior is comparable to frowning in humans.
These are some of the common body languages that cats display to show their feelings. To care for your cat well, you need to be familiar with its behavior so you can understand your cat more.