Six Cat Behaviors

Ancient Egyptians elevated cats to the status demi-gods, when they discovered that they actively worked to keep their grain safe from rodents. The Egyptian Pharaoh made the murder of a cat punishable by death and cats that died of natural causes were mummified and honored with special burial sites. In modern times, cats have their place in developed nations as domesticated pets. Learn six basic cat behaviors in order to understand your feline pet better.

  1. Kneading

    • Kneading is the process by which cats push down and pull up on their paws, alternating continuously between the front left and right paws. The Purina website reports that this behavior, "stems from kitten-hood -- kneading mama's teats stimulated milk to flow freely." Cats tend to knead when they are experiencing or anticipating experiencing something pleasurable. Cats also knead their surroundings to excrete territorial markings via the scent glands on their paws.

    Scratching

    • Cats scratch furniture, carpets and scratching posts for two reasons: to mark their territory and to clean and stretch their claws. Territory marking is accomplished both by leaving a physical mark on items and also via the smells released from a cat's scent gland, which is located in its paws.

    Purring

    • Cats purr when they are feeling particularly pleased and content. Cats also purr when they contract an illness or suffer an injury. Dr. Larry McDaniel, DVM hosts a podcast for the Purina company. He states that, "Some scientists think that when a cat purrs in reaction to suffering, the act releases endorphins, which are natural analgesics that ease suffering." In short, cats purr to help themselves feel good.

    Teeth Chattering

    • Dr. Christianne Schelling reports on her Cat Health website that teeth chattering is an instinctual response that is due to either, "excitement and frustration at seeing prey and being unable to hunt and obtain it," or, "an exaggerated version of the killing bite; the cat already thinks he has the prey in his jaws." Cats' teeth often chatter when they see a bird directly outside of your window.

    Arching the Back

    • Cats arch their backs to stretch; but there is another reason your feline pet is engaging in this behavior. According to Dr. Andrea Looney, DVM, on the Purina website ,"Arching the spine, fluffing the hair on the back and tail, and turning sideways makes a cat appear larger than it really is. When the cat adds some hissing and snarling, a more faint-hearted aggressor will probably go running."

    Grooming

    • Cats groom themselves by licking their hair in the direction they want it to lay. Dr. Christianne Schelling of the Cat Health website reports that, "Cats may spend up to 30 percent of their waking hours keeping their hairdo coiffed."