Understanding Your Cat’s Behavior

In order to understand your cat, you need to understand that you are the superior species, not your cat.

All cat lovers have experienced the withering look of indifference and superiority when giving our best efforts in entertaining, showing affection, feeding and communicating with our cats. The times our cats do acknowledge us, it’s usually on their own terms. But when they do give us their attention, their love knows no bounds.

By understanding your cats behavior, you are understanding one of the world’s most elusive creatures. It’s easy to understand why we as human beings always feel somewhat inferior to this species.

When your cat is purring, it’s usually a sign that they are content, but cats will also purr if they are ill or distressed. However, usually purring is the behavior of a cat that is happy. Mothers reassure their kittens by purring, with the kittens responding the same way. Cats also purr if they see another cat is threatening them as a sign they mean no harm and are not a threat.

You may feel that your cat doesn’t purr. Actually they are purring, it’s just that their purr resonates at a level we cannot hear.

There could be entire books written on the different meows cats have. Each meow accompanies a certain expression and body posture. Cats have many different moods and a meow for each mood.

Cats communicate with one another through body language as well as scent. However, cats soon realize that humans cannot pickup this subtle form of communication and then resort to the cruder form of communicating which is meowing.

When your cat is up on their hind legs and rub against you, it is a sign of greeting and a show of deep affection. It’s also a way of claiming you. Cats have scent glands on their lips, tails, heads, tail bases, chins and paws. By rubbing against you, they are putting their scent on you, as well as rubbing your scent on themselves.

When your cat is greeting you, they have their tail erect with the tip of the tail bent forward. Sometimes their tail will quiver because they are excited. Their eyes will be blinking slowly and be half closed. If you mimic this reaction you will get a positive response.

Biting often happens when we are petting our cats. What we don’t realize is that in the world of cats, the subservient cats often groom the superior ones. So when we pet our cats, we are mimicking this action. So when cats have had enough petting, they will nip or bite you.

Nips or bites can also be a sign of affection, which is often accompanied by licking. This is a sign of acceptance and treating you as an equal.

These are only some of the forms of cat behavior. Cats are infamous for being independent and elusive creatures. Each cat has it own unique character and personality. Unlike humans and dogs, cats are not pack animals. They do not need you for social contact, which adds even more to their mystique. We have formed a permanent bond with cats and most of us feel privileged to be a part of their world.