7 Bizarre Cat Behaviors - Explained

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Cats are wonderful, mysterious creatures. To put it simply - sometimes, they're just plain WEIRD! Some cats yowl in the middle of the night. Others give weird nibbles to show signs of affection or bring us gross gifts in the form of tiny, dead animals.  As caretakers and companions to these fluffy enigmas, us humans are often left scratching our heads wondering, why do cats do that?” Here are seven WEIRD cat behaviors - explained.

1. Showing Us Their Butts

It's all fun and games 'til your cat shoves its butt in your face. Isn't that the old saying? But it turns out there's a reason why your cat likes doing an about-face in your, well, face. It's just their way of saying, "Hello! I trust you." Cats communicate mostly through body language, so by showing you their rump, they're letting you know they care. 

2. Following Us to the Bathroom

Who can truly speak to the motivations of our mysterious moggies? One reason cats choose to follow us into the bathrooms may be that they know we're a captive audience, so to speak. They've learned we're stuck in one place and have no choice but to pay attention to them. 

Other theories suggest your cat might feel vulnerable if you leave them behind. Your cat likely views you, the Almighty Can Opener, as a source of safety and comfort (as well as food). So when you disappear behind a closed door, they might feel less safe than normal and as such seek you out to continue to take advantage of the comfort and safety you provide them.

 

3. Bringing home dead animals as "gifts".

Ah, there's nothing like the feeling of waking up to a dead lizard in your slipper. It's squishy. It's gross. It's also a little bit sad for the poor, defenseless lizard. There are a few theories on why exactly cats bring dead animals home as gifts. Some behaviorists think that cats basically see humans as big, dumb animals who can't hunt or take care of themselves. So they bring us fresh prey to take care of us. Leave it to a cat to be caring and judgmental in one go. 

 

4. Running around after pooping.

You might be familiar with the concept of "zoomies" from your cat running up and down your hallways at 4 am. Zoomies are essentially when your cat suddenly darts and dashes through the house at full speed, seemingly for no reason.

Many of our fluffy friends have a funny little habit of using the litter box, only to dash like mad around the house. Theories abound! Some think this post-poo sprint is a left-over survival instinct, and the mad dash is to escape potential predators. Other theories suggest a feeling of "poo-phoria", which leads to elation and excitement that needs to be expressed through bounding through the house. 

 

5. Licking plastic bags.

There are several theories behind why cats lick plastic bags: leftover food smells, or the enticing, crinkly sound they make. If you notice your cat is attracted to the sound of a crinkling bag, find them crinkly cat toys that imitate this sound to encourage them to play with the toy instead. Plastic bags are potential choking and suffocation hazards, even for cats. Crinkly cat toys are often filled with catnip, too, making it extra fun! 

The most likely reason cats lick plastic bags is that most plastics, and plastic bags, are often treated with stearates, which are derived from animal fat or tallow. Others use materials like fish oils or even fish scales to keep the plastic from sticking together.  

6. Choosing the cardboard box over the nice, comfortable cat bed.

Cats are still governed by their natural instincts, passed down for generations from their wild ancestors in the deserts of Africa. Following in these sandy pawprints, cats naturally seek out sheltered, covered hideouts from which to stalk their prey. Cardboard boxes often provide an ideal hiding spot.

If your cat is a fiend for cardboard boxes but you're tired of the eyesore, consider finding a hooded bed or enclosed cat house, or a similar build that replicates the safe, anxiety-reducing environment of a cardboard box. 

7. Drinking from sinks instead of their perfectly clean water bowl.

There might be many a reason cats prefer to drink the running water from sinks or bathtubs rather than their freshly changed water dish. Some cats don't like to drink from bowls that touch their whiskers, one of the most sensitive parts of a cat's body.

Cats also have poor depth perception and may struggle to see the water right in front of them. If your cat prefers drinking from a running faucet, it might be because they can hear the running water better than they can see the still water in the bowl. Try a circulating water fountain designed for cats that prefer running water to encourage your cat to drink more - without you having to leave the faucet running! 

Do you have more questions about why cats are so weird? Let us know in the comments!

 

 


3 comments


  • DAN LUBNIEWSKI

    ‘’Birdman of long beach’’ My one cat ’’PRINCESS’’ Every single time for years when she sees me say walk in the kitchen for example. She gets up and comes to me for affection. So about 99 % of the time I encounter her I have to love on her and make a fuss over her. I have thought a million times have you ever met a human that happy to see you ‘’it melts my heart’’ I love every second of it and never take her love for granted
    although I probably could in her case – Ha Ha Ha – She called me from under a bush years ago in Long Beach Ca. and let me carry her home
    without a fuss – Maybe she remembers me rescuing her ? I know where a person can buy ‘’Batril Antibiotics’’ – or – Generic name -
    Enrofloxacin 10 % liquid. It’s great for Cats, Dogs & Birds and other animals. I saved older cats lives and cleared up many respiratory problems –
    it’s – 1cc per 10 lbs. of Cat or Dog once a day for approx. 7 days. I also have a address of a reputable company in Canada to buy preventative heartworm medicine very reasonable, flea medications and more – contact me for more information – mr.lee@inbox.com – Danny


  • Claudia

    My son’s cat pees in the empty water bowl.. I catch and throw her in the litter box but she just runs out..


  • Karen

    Our kitty is almost weirdly connected to my husband. Me she tolerates. He is her much-adored hero. Whenever she wants to play, or she thinks it’s time for bed (she sleeps with HIM), she plops down on the floor totally on her back, completely relaxed with legs splayed, and gazes at him upside down. We say she is just a little hussy!


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