Cat Behavior Explained

Cat lovers may refer to their felines as "the kids" or their "babies," but cats are not children in fur coats. Nor are they small dogs "with attitude." Many behaviorists believe housecats are closer to their wild ancestors than any other domesticated animal; consequently, many of their behavior patterns are similar to those of cats living in the wild. If you think of your cats as predators at heart and see the world through the eyes of smart, shrewd hunters, you'll begin to understand why your cats do the things they do.

  1. Scratching the Furniture

    • One reason cats scratch is to mark their territory visually and with their scent. Outside, their claw marks on a tree trunk let the world know that piece of turf belongs to them. Inside, your furniture serves the same purpose as a tree. Put a tall, stable scratching post near the entrance to a room, and your cats will use it instead of your furniture to stake a claim to their territory.

    Spraying in the House

    • Outside, cats spray to let other cats know the boundaries of their territory. Indoors, cats also spray to create personal space. With enough high perches, floor-to-ceiling cat trees and tunnels, inside cats in multicat families will be able to create personal spaces without spraying.

    Rubbing

    • Cats recognize friends and family members more by scent than sight. When your cats rub against your legs or your hands, they're mingling their scent with yours so you smell like part of their family.

    Playing All Night

    • Cats are nocturnal and, if they live outside, spend most of the night hunting. While your cats don't need to hunt for food, instinct tells them to be awake and alert at night. To help you get some sleep, try replicating their natural schedule. Before you go to bed, play with an interactive "wand" or "fishing pole" toy. Then give them a high-protein meal. After they eat, they should bathe and go to sleep.

    Drinking from a Dripping Faucet

    • If your cats lived outside, they'd drink from a running stream, not a stagnant puddle. That's why a dripping faucet or cat fountain is so appealing to some cats when they're indoors.

    'Burying' Uneaten Food

    • In the wild, cats bury uneaten prey so other animals won't detect their food source. Some housecats attempt to bury food they don't intend to eat, probably for the same reason. Although there are no predators in your house, instinct tells cats to always play it safe.