Top 5 Common Cat Behaviors
Why is it that cats do the things they do? Cats have some interesting habbits and behaviors that most cat owners can relate to. We researched the top five most common cat behaviors, because if nothing else cats are very mysterious creatures that we love to try and understand!
-
Purring
Everyone knows that cats purr, but what causes them to do it? One hypothesis, backed by electromyographic studies, is that cats produce the purring noise by using the vocal folds and/or the muscles of the larynx to alternately dilate and constrict the glottis rapidly, causing air vibrations during inhalation and exhalation. Combined with the steady inhalation and exhalation of air as the cat breathes, a purring noise is produced with strong harmonics. Domestic cats purr at a frequency of 20 to 30 vibrations per second.
Purring may have developed as an evolutionary advantage as a signalling mechanism of reassurance between mother cats and nursing kittens. Post-nursing cats often purr as a sign of contentment: when being petted, becoming relaxed, or eating. Some purring may be a signal to another animal that the "purrer" is not posing a threat. Purring sometimes seems to be a way for cats to signal their caretaker for food. This purring has a high-frequency component not present in other purrs. This variety of purring seems to be found only in cats in a one-to-one relationship with a caretaker.
-
Scratching
How come cats love to scratch so much? They ruin a lot of furniture! Cats scratch objects in their environment for many reasons: to remove the dead outer layer of their claws, to mark their territory by leaving both a visual mark and a scent (they have scent glands on their paws), and to stretch their bodies and flex their feet and claws. Scratching is a normal, instinctive behavior, one that you don't want to discourage completely. Instead, the goal is to get your cat to scratch acceptable objects, like a scratching post, instead of the furniture, carpet or curtains.
Most cats are attracted to anything with a nubby, coarse or textured surface, or something they can really sink their claws into. Cats often scratch when they wake up from a nap, when they want to mark their territory or when they’re excited about something, like their owner coming home from work. Some cats like to stand up against a vertical surface; others get horizontal and stick their butts in the air for a good stretch. There are many different tactics out there to help with scratching, but declawing cats and purchasing leather furniture are not recommended solutions.
-
Bunting
Ever wonder why cats head butt their owners when they're happy? Why do they rub their face on everything? Bunting is often mistakingly reffered to as butting, and is a common behavior of house cats. Cats have scent glands all over their body and they use them to leave a scent mark on objects. The bunting and rubbing are reserved for bonding, social, comforting and friendly purposes. When a cat engages in head bunting or head rubbing, they are placing their scent there as a social and affectionate gesture.
Cat-to-cat head bunting and allorubbing are reserved for cats who already have a familiar and friendly relationship. Cats typically display head bunting toward other cats, dog companions and humans. Lip rubbing is often reserved for marking objects and occurs while cats rub their faces on objects, even sharp ones.
-
Kneading
Why is it that cats knead on our laps (ouch), in their beds or on a thick blanket? Kneading is the motion cats make by rhythmically alternating their paws, pushing in and out against a pliable, soft object. Not all cats knead in the same way; some never push out their claws at all, and some even use all four paws. While not all cats knead, it is a common behavior for young and adult felines alike.
Cats start to knead as kittens, before they’re even able to get around on their own while nursing from their mother. A nursing kitten instinctually kneads to help stimulate the mother’s milk production. 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.
-
Hunting
Yikes! Why did the cat leave a dead mouse on the doorstep? Cats are, first and foremost, natural-born hunters, as recent studies of the effects that feral and indoor-outdoor cats have on bird and rodent populations have shown. Cats allegedly kill billions of small animals every year in the United States alone. But that doesn’t make them evil, they're just extremely well-adapted to a carnivorous lifestyle.
Though they were first domesticated nearly 10,000 years ago, cats retain the keen hunting instincts of their wild ancestors, as well as the simple gut that allows them to digest raw meat. However, many cats don't eat their prey, and sometimes they don't even kill it. Many cat owners cat relate to this! Spayed female cats are the most likely to bring gory gifts to their owners.