Cat Behavior FAQ

Cats were first domesticated approximately 4000 years ago by the ancient Egyptians, who revered and worshiped them. Felines eventually worked their way around across the world, finding a home in just about every country on earth. (See Reference 1) According to the 2009-2010 National Pet Owners Survey by the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, 33% of households in the United States owns at least one cat, and about 94 million cats are owned nationwide. (See Reference 2) That's a lot of cats, and a lot of misunderstanding when it comes to their behavior.

  1. Why does my cat suddenly bite me when I'm petting him?

    • Just like people, cats vary in tolerance to being touched and handled. Strangely, petting-induced aggression usually occurs in a cat who actually instigated the petting in the first place, most likely by rubbing against a person's leg or jumping into their lap. When you pet him for too long, it may begin to feel unpleasant or even painful to the cat, and giving you a nip is the only way Fluffy can get you to stop.

    Why does my cat always eat my houseplants?

    • Your cat could be bored and view the leaves of a houseplant as a kind of organic cat toy. Younger cats are like human babies and love to chew on anything and everything for comfort. If kitty has a stomach ache or gastrointestinal problems, he could eat the leaves as a way to induce vomiting. A more worrisome reason for plant eating could be that your cat has a compulsive disorder which makes him obsessed with munching on your plants, or chewing on other non-food items such as wool or rubber bands.

    Why does my cat pee outside the litter box?

    • Cats are normally very clean creatures, and urinating outside the litter box is something that is done when there is a problem. Your cat could be sick, and urinary tract infections are number one on the list of possible ailments. It could also be a territorial behavior, and your cat could be marking his territory with urine.

    Why does my cat go crazy at night?

    • The 'nighttime crazies' can be very frustrating for a cat owner. It should be understood that your cat's ancestor is the African wildcat, which is a nocturnal hunter. Today's cats still have a strong desire to hunt, and the nocturnal tendencies are still there as well. Younger cats are more prone to this energetic display when the sun goes down, but usually learn to entertain themselves in time.