26 Things You’ve Always Wondered About Your Cat

By Melanie Aman February 15, 2019

Even as devoted pet owners, we could still benefit from having some common cat behaviors explained to us. After all, cats are notoriously hard to read, and it’s not like they can use their words to tell us why they wont’ stop meowing or why they won’t play with the new toys you bought them but they will sit in the box in which the toys were shipped.

Of course, once you become an expert at understanding cat quirks, you’ll know exactly what your kitty is trying to tell you. Not only will this strengthen the bond between feline and crazy cat lady (a title we bear with pride), but it will also help you more quickly spot when something is wrong with your fur baby and determine if it requires medical attention. Maybe cats aren’t all that hard to understand in the end.

If you’re ready to become a cat connoisseur, keep scrolling to learn more about cats and their many odd behaviors.

How Old Is My Cat In Human Years

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How old is my cat in human years?

The "one human year equals seven cat years" just isn't true. Cats live much shorter lives than humans, and they mature much faster. As a result, you should think about your cat's life in terms of stages: kitten, adult, prime cat years, mature cat, senior cat, and geriatric cat.

Click here to calculate how old your cat is in human years.
What Are Cat Whiskers For

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What are cat whiskers for?

Cat whiskers aren't just cute accessories. It turns out felines use them to gauge where they are and how much space is around them. This is especially useful when a cat is trying to determine if he or she can fit in a tight space, like a box.

Click here to learn more about how cats use their whiskers to express emotions.
How To Pick Up A Cat

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How do you pick up a cat without getting scratched?

If you can't resist picking up every cat you see, you need to know how to do it without spooking the kitty. Grab the wrong spot and you could be on the receiving end of a sharp, painful swipe. So, what's the best way to go about this potentially fraught task? The first step is to let the new cat sniff your hand, according to veterinarian Uri Burstyn. If kitty responds positively to your pets, go in for the grab. The exact method you use is up to you, but aim to support the legs so the cat doesn't thrash wildly.

Click here to hear watch Dr. Uri demonstrate the best way to pick up a cat.
Cat Tongues

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Why do cat tongues have 'spines'?

One thing pet owners may notice about their cat's tongue is that it's rough compared to a dog's tongue. This is because cats are constantly grooming themselves and the rough, sandpapery "spines" allow the cat to essentially brush themselves. Neat, huh?

Click here to learn more about cat tongues and why cats get hairballs.
Cat Chirping

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Why does my cat chirp?

There isn't one clear reason why cats chirp, but experts have a few theories. First, cats are natural predators so their chirping noise may be intended to mimic the sounds of their prey. Cats may also chirp to express frustration at not being able to hunt if they catch sight of a squirrel or bird in the garden. A more heartwarming explanation is that chirping is simply a way for a mama cat to communicate with her kittens.

Click here to learn more about why cats chirp.
Can Cats Eat Avocado

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Can cats eat avocados?

If avocado toast is a brunch staple at your house, you can feel good about sharing it with your kitty. However, avocado skins contain a compound toxic to cats, so be sure to toss them asap.

Click here to learn more about what human foods are safe for cats.
Why Do Cats Rub On You

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Why do cats like to rub against legs?

Even though this common cat behavior poses a tripping hazard, it's so darn sweet seeing your cats nuzzle against your legs. Even sweeter is that cats do this to mark you as theirs. Essentially, your cats are saying, "This is my human!"

Click here to learn more about why cats enjoy rubbing on their humans (hint: They want something from you.).
Cat Personality Matches Owners

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Can a cat's personality match its owner's?

We all know the joke that pets begin to look like their owners, but do owners' and pets' personalities line up, too? According to an October 2018 study published in Personality and Individual Differences, the answer is yes, they can. So, just consider your shared personality traits to be something else that bonds you and your cat together.

Click here to learn more about which cat personalities match best with different human personalities.
Why Does My Cat Headbutt Me

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Why does my cat headbutt me?

This curious cat behavior, also known as "cat bunting," is similar to when kitties rub against your legs, as it's another way felines like to deposit their scent. When they come over and give your forehead a little boop, they're marking their property — you!

Click here to learn more about why your cat is headbutting you.
Why Does My Cat Drink From The Faucet

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Why do cats drink from the faucet?

There's nothing more frustrating than watching your cat drink from the faucet even after you've refilled his water bowl. But there's no need to worry; this cat behavior has nothing to do with you. In fact, cats are hardwired to prefer drinking running water. In the wild, running water is easier to hear and see.

Click here to learn more about why cats drink from the faucet and what you can do to stop this behavior.
Cats In Small Spaces

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Why do cats love cardboard boxes so much?

A cat could own the fanciest, most elaborate, and expensive cat toys and still prefer chilling in a box — why is that? According to experts, cats like small, tight spaces because they provide warmth — even if it's a virtual box with no sides. Snuggling up in a box also creates a satisfying pressure similar to a hug. So though it may be annoying to see your cat neglect your gifts in favor of a leftover box, it's best to leave them be. After all, cats need a place to unwind, too.

Click here to learn more about why cats often hang out in small, tight spaces.
Do Cats Know Their Names

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Do cats know their name?

Training dogs to recognize their name is easy, so can you achieve similar results with cats? Research shows that you potentially teach a cat to respond to his or her name if you start early enough. That said, your cat still may not come when called — even once he knows his name.

Click here to learn more about how to train your cat to recognize its name.
Why Cats Have Slits In Ears

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Why do cats have slits in their ears?

This tiny ear compartment has a name — Henry's pocket. Though experts aren't exactly sure what purpose they serve, they do recommend cleaning this area, as it's prone to bacterial infections.

Click here to learn more about the theories experts have proposed as to why Henry's pockets exist.
Why Do Cats Knead

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Why do cats knead?

Kneading, also known as "making biscuits," is one of those quirky cat behaviors that drives us mad, especially when our cats decide to knead whatever blanket we're currently using and we can feel their razor-sharp claws with every stretch. There are a few theories as to why cats knead, but a popular explanation is that it's simply an instinct left over from the kitten stage when felines would knead their mother's belly to get more milk.

Click here to learn more about why cats knead and how you can stop it.
Why Do Cats Meow

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Why do cats meow?

We all know that cats meow to get our attention, but the secret to always understanding what your kitty wants is to become a master meow decoder.

Click here to learn about the six types of cat meows and what they mean.
What Does My Cat Think Of Me

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What does my cat think of me?

Cats can be tricky to read, so we don't blame you for wondering what they think of you. Do they love you, hate you, or feel something in between? Are you simply the woman with the food in their minds? Rest assured that no, your cats don't hate you. In fact, your kitties basically think of you as a large, clumsy oversized cat.

Click here to learn more about how cats view their humans.
What Do Cats Dream About

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What do cats dream about?

Cats don't often thrash about during sleep like dogs do, so we can't help but wonder what they're dreaming about. According to experts, the brain scan of sleeping cats look similar to the brain scan of a cat who's hunting — so it stands to reason that cats often dream about food (us, too!). Of course, experts say cats also dream about us, which is just about the sweetest thing we've ever heard.

Click here to learn more cats and their dreams.
Hypoallergenic Cats

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Do hypoallergenic cats exist?

Unfortunately, there's no such thing as a hypoallergenic cat; there are only kitties that are less allergenic than others. The good news is you can still be a proud cat mom or dad as long as you're not deathly allergic to felines. But there are a few things you may have to do first, like creating an allergy-free zone your cat is forbidden from entering.

Click here to learn which cats are less allergenic and how you can live with a cat despite allergies.
Does My Cat Miss Me

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Does my cat miss me when I'm away?

After a long vacation, it's not unusual to wonder, "Did my cat miss me while I was gone?" After all, they may not come running to the door like a dog, ready to jump all over you and lick your face. The good news is yes, your kitty probably missed you while you were gone. If your cat is acting a bit strange upon your return, that may be a sign that he or she is happy to finally have you back.

Click here to learn more about how to tell if your cat missed you.
Cat Wont Sleep At Night

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Why won't my cat sleep at night?

Though cats are guilty of tearing through the house at 3 a.m., they're not nocturnal animals. However, they do have excelled night vision, which may explain why your cat is still active late into the night. There's so much so see and do in their eyes. Of course, your kitty may be experiencing other issues, like boredom or restlessness, that are keeping him or her from some much-needed shut-eye.

Click here to learn more about why your cat isn't sleeping through the night.
Cat Chewing Plastic Bag

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Why do cats chew plastic bags?

Cats that like to eat plastic bags may suffer from pica, a condition that manifests as a desire to eat non-food items. This behavior, which can be a symptom of an underlying issue, poses a health risk to cats, and a trip to the vet may be in order.

Click here to learn more about how to stop cats from chewing on plastic bags.
Why Do Cats Act Sick

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Why do cats act sick?

The next time you notice your perfectly healthy cat suddenly exhibit sickness behaviors like leaving waste outside the litter box, refusing to eat, and vomiting, don't just assume she's being a drama queen. According to research, healthy cats are just as likely to display these same symptoms as sick cats when there's been a disruption to his or her routine.

Click here to learn more about how you can prevent healthy cats from acting sick.
Can You Make Your Cat Sick

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Can you make your cat sick?

We're vigilant about not sharing foods or liquids with other people when we're sick, so why don't we do the same thing with pets? The good news is cats can't catch human diseases and infections, so it's totally fine to snuggle up in bed with your kitty when you're battling a cold or flu.

Click here to learn more about how to keep your cats happy and healthy.
Why Do Cats Blep

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Why do cats stick their tongues out?

No, your cat is not going through a rebellious phase. This behavior has earned a cute moniker, a "blep" or "blepping," but the actual name for it is the Flehmen response. Cats can collect pheromones using their tongue, and sometimes they get so fascinated by a stimulus that they forget to retract their tongue.

Click here to learn more about why certain breeds are more likely to blep.
Why Cat Lifts Butt When Scratched

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Why do cats lift their butts when you scratch them?

This behavior, known as "elevator butt," is actually a huge compliment — even if you'd prefer to not have a cat tushie in your face. Cats only do this with people they consider to be members of their family.

Click here to learn more about why cats life their butts when you scratch them.
How Do Cats Show Affection

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How do cats show affection?

Cats have earned a bad reputation for being cold and aloof, but they're actually incredibly warm, caring, and cuddly creatures. Once you've earned their trust, they'll happily show affection in the form of offering their bellies for rubbing, headbutts, and lots and lots of purring.

Click here to learn more about the most common ways cats show affection.