Cat behavior

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Cat eating "Cat Grass"



Body language

Cats rely strongly on body language to communicate. Rubbing against an object, licking, and purring (sometimes) show affection. Purring can also show extremes of any emotion, such as hurt or in pain. A cat in pain purrs to show to humans that it is ready to be helped. A kitten purrs roughly three weeks into its life. A cat's main way of communication through its body is its tail. They are usually flicking it around either quite relaxed or abruptly from side to side, showing their general brain activity, for example when a cat is basking its tail will be only moving slightly. If spoken to, the cat will start fluttering its tail, acknowledging the interaction.[citation needed]

Scent rubbing and spraying

This behavior is used primarily to claim ownership of something, each cat releases a different pheromone combination from scent glands found in the cheeks next to their mouths. They also have scent glands towards the base of the tail which is why when a cat rubs up against your leg to claim ownership they also rub their back end on you too. Cats scent with not only their mouths, but with their claws too when they scratch, again traces of cat pheromone is released from their paws and transferred into the object.[citation needed] whereas unlike male cats, female and neutered male cats usually do not spray. Neutered males may still spray after neutering, if neutered late. Female cats often spray while in heat, so males can find them. Spaying may cause female cats to spray through loss of female hormones, also making them act more like males, which is why some female cats start spraying after being spayed, but if they started spraying before being spayed, it is most likely caused by female hormones, and they may stop after getting spayed.


A cat kneading a soft blanket

Kneading is an activity common to all domestic cats whereby, when in a state of ease, they alternately push out and pull in their front paws, often alternating between right and left limbs. Some cats actually appear to "nurse" or suck on clothing or bedding during kneading. As with most domestic animals but especially cats and dogs they retain juvenile characteristics and memories. Kneading is something a kitten does to the nursing queen to help massage the mammary glands to produce more milk. As they are weaned they no longer need to do this and tend to do it when very content. This releases pleasurable endorphins for the cat, as it was once an instinctive thing to do.



Kneading is often a precursor to sleeping.

Many cats purr while kneading. They also purr mostly when newborn, when feeding, or when trying to feed on their mother's teat. The common association between the two behaviors may corroborate the evidence in favor of the origin of kneading as a remnant instinct. Some experts[who?] consider kneading to "stimulate" the cat and make it feel good, in the same manner as a human stretching.




Cats, compared to many other mammals, have a unique courting style. The first step in courtship is the female coming into season, or "heat". Male cats can smell a female cat in heat miles away and therefore seek her out. Males fight mercilessly for the right to be the first to mate with the female. Often she mates with multiple males. It is therefore possible that even if a male cat loses first breeding rights, he can still be the father. This is also the reason that a litter of kittens can have multiple fathers.

Body postures

A cat’s posture communicates its emotions. It's best to observe cats' natural behavior when they're by themselves, with humans, and with other animals.[1] Their postures can be friendly or aggressive, depending upon the situation. Some of the most basic and familiar cat postures include the following:[2]

Vocal calls



Righting reflex


Food eating patterns

Cat eating toad

Cats are obligate carnivores, and can survive without vegetation. Felines in the wild usually hunt smaller mammals regularly throughout the day to keep themselves nourished. Domestic cats, however, are used to a relaxed lifestyle and, therefore, eat even smaller amounts, but more regularly. Many cats find and chew small quantities of long grass but this is not for its nutritional value, it is a purely mechanical function. The eating of grass triggers a regurgitation reflex to help expel indigestible matter, like hairballs and the bones of prey. Despite not usually eating plants, if given watermelon they will eat it, probably due to some nutrients.[citation needed]


A Persian kitten play fighting with its owner. When separated from mother and siblings, a kitten may engage in active play fighting with humans. Play fighting may involve playful scratching, but the scratch is generally not serious.

Kittens are naturally afraid of people at first, but if handled and well-cared for in the first 16 weeks, they develop trust in the humans who care for them. To decrease the odds of a cat being unsocial or hostile towards humans, kittens should be socialized at an early age.


Cats can be extremely friendly companions. The strength of the cat–human bond is mainly correlated with how much consideration is given to the cat's feelings by their human companion. The formula for a successful relationship thus has much in common with human-to-human relationships.

Some people regard cats as sneaky, shy, or aloof animals. Cats have an inherent distrust for predator species such as humans, and often seek to minimize any contact with people they do not perceive as trustworthy. Feline shyness and aggression around people with cat social skills is often a result of lack of socialization, abuse or neglect. Cats relate to humans differently than more social animals, enjoying some time on their own each day as well as time with humans.

Cats have a strong "escape" instinct. Attempts to corner, capture or herd a cat can thus provoke powerful fear-based escape behavior. Socialization greatly reduces the number of humans that a cat respond to in this way. Socialization is a process of learning that many humans can be trusted.


See also


  3. ^ "Reading Your Cat". Animal Planet. Retrieved 22 December 2011. 