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Even though our feline friends have taken the internet by storm, their mysterious antics never cease to surprise us. Since we humans often have a hard time understanding these loveable creatures, we reached out to an expert in the field to learn more about their equally odd and adorable behaviors. "Domestic cats often seem aloof and independent, but this is because they are descended from solitary hunters of small prey animals, such as rodents and birds, and are territorial in nature," UK-based clinical animal behaviorist Sally Chamberlain told Bored Panda.
The founder of Karma Paws Pet Care and author of the book Power Of The Purr explained that their ancestors rarely came into contact with other cats, apart from mating and raising their young. Moreover, cats perceive the world differently from us and live on their own terms. "Some natural feline behaviors such as scratching and scent marking are usually frowned upon in a human household," she said. "But by being provided with appropriate resources and enrichment, cats can thrive and their humans can relax."
Another reason felines may seem odd to us humans is that they sleep a lot, often around 16-20 hours per day, Chamberlain added. "During waking hours, cats have a need to play in order to satisfy their hunting instincts. Interactive play with wand toys that have feathers or a fake mouse attached is often good for this. It is also important to remember that cats don’t naturally enjoy lots of physical contact unless they have gotten used to this from kittenhood, which is why some cats lash out when they are being petted because they feel conflicted."
Humans also find felines mysterious when they harshly react to our attempts to gently stroke them. "A lot of cats enjoy being sociable with humans but being touched too much can seem overwhelming," Chamberlain noted. "They may prefer short but frequent petting, especially around their head and neck area, rather than being fussed over for a long period of time."
When we notice our little pals acting weird, we immediately feel the urge to document their behaviors and share them with everyone online. What we sometimes fail to understand is that there could be a deeper meaning behind their strange actions. "When a cat or any other animal is behaving out of character, it is important to get them checked by a vet to rule out medical problems," the animal behaviorist suggested. "Cats will often try to hide how they are feeling because, in the wild, any outward sign of weakness could make them vulnerable to predators," she added. "Although they are a predator themselves, they are also prey for larger animals such as foxes and coyotes, depending on where they live."
But once you notice your cat acting strange, it might be a sign they are unwell or in pain. Then, seeking veterinary treatment should be the first port of call, Chamberlain noted. "They may not intentionally be trying to tell us something, but any change in behavior is a good indication that something is not right."
If the vet gives them the all-clear, she added that a review of the cat’s living environment must be carried out. This is to "ensure that they have all of the resources and enrichment that they need and there is nothing causing them any undue stress, such as seeing other cats through the windows or them not getting on with other pets in the household."
The animal behaviorist pointed out another reason for their strange behaviors: felines sometimes simply act on their instincts. "Cats are highly intelligent, but their survival instinct will kick in if they are feeling unwell. They also have needs that should be met in order for them to feel relaxed and happy in their living environment. Depending on their behavior, it could be that they are feeling frustrated or stressed about something, which is causing them to act out of character."
To make sure we don't miss any alarming signs, Chamberlain explained how to understand when our cats feel safe and when they are in distress. "When a pet is happy and relaxed in their living environment, they will be eating, drinking and toileting normally and not showing any signs of fear towards the humans in the household. A pet that feels safe will be happy to interact socially and have normal activity and sleep patterns."
On the flip side, animals in distress will most likely spend their time hiding. "[They will] only come out when nobody is around to eat, drink and use the litter tray. They might also behave aggressively or fearfully if someone tries to interact with them or pick them up."
"More subtle signs of stress in cats include a hunched body posture, dilated pupils, 'pretending' to sleep to avoid interaction, urinating or defecating around the home and generally seeming subdued. They might also pace around and vocalize a lot or even try to escape through windows and doors," Chamberlain said and stressed that any changes in cat behavior require veterinary attention.
