Cat behavior experts tell Bored Panda that their love for cats blossomed in their early years. Following this passion, they decided to turn it into their careers, one way or another.
"My love for cats stems from a lifelong connection. Growing up as a child, I was fortunate to have cats around me, whether they were in the same household or community cats in the neighbourhood. I always felt a deep, unspoken bond; they seemed to sense and understand when I would have good days and my challenging days. Naturally, in return, a lifelong curiosity to try and understand them better developed," shares certified cat behavior consultant Krista Schulte.
"This led me to volunteering in shelters with them, and then to formal study. Cats are not small dogs, as they have signals that are often obvious; cats express themselves with “subtle” behaviours that are frequently missed or misinterpreted.
I decided to turn the number of cats I would see surrendered into a career because I realized the huge lack of specialized, humane expertise available to pet parents, especially when dealing with stress-related concerns. I wanted to translate feline science into something that was actionable and humanized advice to keep cats in their homes and everyone truly happy."
Certified cat behavior consultant Amanda Caron also recalls being drawn to cats since she was little.
"There’s something about the way they communicate—quietly, subtly—that’s always fascinated me. It felt like a kind of unspoken connection—a conversation without words. As I got older, I developed a strong interest in psychology, especially how both humans and animals think and behave," she shares.
"Eventually, I realized I could combine those two passions into my future. For me, working with cats is a way to bridge science and empathy—understanding how they think and feel, why they behave the way they do, and building trust and connection in the ways they need most."
Meanwhile, for feline behavior and nutrition coach Jennifer Van de Kieft, her path to her true calling wasn't as straightforward.
"My family had cats growing up, and they were always an important part of our lives. I've been admiring cats all my life. When I was younger, I didn't realize feline behavior was an option as a career. I thought being a veterinarian was the only way to work with cats, and I didn't think that was for me.
In 2017, I left my job running an addiction treatment center in NYC and began the process of getting certified in feline behavior and training. The next year, I opened my business, Cat Advocate - Feline Behavior Solutions. Since that time, I also became certified in pet nutrition, so I focus a lot on how nutrition and feeding affect behavior with my clients."
Having observed cats for almost the entirety of their lives, the experts, without doubt, have seen many funny and strange behaviors of felines. We were curious to know their favorite ones!
"One of my favorite quirky cat behaviors is the flehmen response, which lots of people call the 'stink face.' When cats make that funny grimace—curling back their lips and opening their mouths—they’re actually using a special organ in the roof of their mouth called the Jacobson’s organ," Caron explains.
"This organ helps them pick up on scents and chemical signals that their nose can’t fully process on its own. So, while it looks a little silly, it’s actually an important way cats take in information about their world."
Schulte's top picks of quirky cat behavior are zoomies and kitty loaf.
“Zoomies is a sudden release of pent-up energy, driven by their natural predatory cycle of hunt, catch, finish it and consume it. If their usual daily play isn't satisfying this cycle, the energy builds up, leading to a sudden, frantic release of sprinting around at top speeds," she notes.
"Another for me is the 'kitty loaf.' This is when a cat tucks all four paws neatly underneath their bodies to look like the perfect baked loaf, or as I say, banana loaf. The rational explanation is actually quite nice. This indicates comfort and security; they're not in fight or flight, just relaxed in a loafing position, a signal."
Van de Kieft couldn't pick just one or two favorite feline quirks—she finds that so much of what cats do is delightful.
"Everything from having zoomies—running from one end of the apartment to the other—to the funny noises they make, such as chirping or trilling, which is normal communication for cats, but I find it so cute. I also love how graceful they are when they are jumping to high spots," she says.
"Recently, my cat Luke likes to be on my lap at night. Not just resting on my lap. He likes to sprawl out on me, so I end up holding him like a baby with my arms stretched out supporting him while he gazes up at me and falls asleep. I'm unable to move my arms at that point, or I'll disturb his rest. It's ridiculous and adorable at the same time. This is not only comfortable for him, but it's also our daily bonding moment outside of playtime and mealtime."
