Cats are mysterious little creatures. While they all have their own personalities and preferences, some traits common to most cats make us ask why? Here we answer some of your most pressing questions about our feline fur babies.
Why Does My Cat Lick Me?
Cats sleep half of the time, and when awake, they’re grooming eight percent of the time, according to PetMD.com. So, it’s not surprising that cats like to lick. But what is surprising is that animal behaviorists and veterinarians haven’t fully figured out why cats lick people, but there are several probable theories.
1. They’re Showing You Affection: A few licks can often result in interaction with you, some pets, and a little attention.
2. They’re Identifying You A a Part of Their Clowder (the actual terminology for a group of cats): Cats communicate by marking objects and other animals with their scent to create a family group scent–the same reason mother cats seem to lick their young zealously.
3. They Seek the Comfort of Nursing: If your cat kneads and purrs while giving you a few licks, they may be reminiscing about the pleasant feeling they got when nursing as a kitten.
4. They Like Your Taste: Maybe it’s the lotion you use or if you have a bit of sweet and salty residue on your skin from sweating that they find appealing.
If your cat’s licking becomes excessive or starts all of a sudden, there may be a medical problem, such as inflammatory bowel disease. At Jacksonville Community Pet Clinics, our vets can help you pinpoint if there is a medical issue or if it’s behavioral.
Why Does My Cat Stare At Me?
Any cat owner can tell you their cat has stared at them. Sometimes it’s an intent gaze that you can feel from across the room, and sometimes they’ll get as close to you as possible to make unmistakable eye contact. But there are five main reasons why your cat stares at you.
1. They’re Hungry: It’s pretty obvious if they’re staring at you while sitting in front of their bowls. They might also be meowing or purring to reinforce their desire for food.
2. They Want Your Attention: It’s no secret that most domesticated cats love attention. Staring at you is one way to get you to play, pet them, or give them a treat and some much-needed adoration.
3. It’s How They Say They Love You: If your cat stares at you in between soft blinks, it’s the kitty equivalent of “I love you.”
4. They’re Mad or Agitated: Sometimes a long period of eye contact with your cat can mean you’re asking them to do something they don’t like. Maybe it’s during a bath or grooming session, or when you ask them to get down from a perch, they’re on. Cats are very independent, and a long start could indicate they aren’t happy with your interference in their routine.
5. They Might Have a Problem They Trust You to Solve: If your cat is staring at you but doesn’t seem to want a treat or some attention, they might be asking for your help. Check their mouth, fur, and paws to see if there are any injuries or irritation that might require veterinarian treatment.
Why Does My Cat Sleep On Me?
Most cat owners have woken up to an adorable ball of fluff laying up against the crook of your back or on your chest as if you’re their favorite pillow. So why do they prefer you over their comfy cat bed in the corner?
1. It’s Instinct: Sleeping on you is linked to their natural instinct of forming deep bonds with their family unit in the wild for protection and safety. This is their way of bonding with you.
2. They Like Your Warmth: Cats typically run a temperature of around 102 degrees. They are warm by their very nature, so they often seek sunny spots to occupy. Since your body is warmer than most spots in the room, they find you an attractive place for a catnap.
3. They Want to Feel Secure: Cats would find hidden, safe places to recharge between hunting for food in the wild. Because cats feel instinctually vulnerable when sleeping, they want to be close to you, just like they were with their mother and littermates as a kitten.
4. It Makes Them Feel Good: Neuroscientist Paul Zak studied ten cats and examined their saliva sampled while playing with or near their owners. He found a 12 percent increase in their oxytocin (the feel-good hormone) levels compared to cats who were not interacting with their owners.
5. They’re Marking Their Territory – You: Like they do when they rub their heads on parts of your body, sleeping on you also keeps you with their scent.
Why Does My Cat Stretch Their Paws, or Knead, On Me?
Does your cat push their paws one at a time on a soft surface…similar to kneading dough? It’s usually a sign of affection and contentment. There are several reasons cats do this:
1. Kittens Knead Against Their Mother’s Stomach to Stimulate Milk: Adult cats may do this to feel relaxed. It can help calm them down and release tension. You may notice that your cat kneads as they drift off to sleep. Kneading is a sign of comfort, and it is one way to know your cat is happy and content. Kneading may extend beyond you, and your cat may knead a blanket or their favorite nap spot.
2. Cats Mark Their Territory In a Number of Ways: This can include licking, spraying, and kneading. So, they could be kneading to leave behind their scent.
3. Wild Cats Often Knead Grass or Dirt To Make It More Comfortable: Domestic cats may use their paws to move a blanket around or arrange things just so to ensure the perfect place to nap.
4. Activities Like Kneading Help Your Cat Bond With You: Kneading, licking, and grooming can help your cat bond with you. It’s a sign of affection and helps them to show their love.
When Do These Behaviors Signal a Potential Problem?
It’s not normal for cats to not clean themselves or sleep constantly. It’s also not normal for them to hide from you and withdraw from your attention. These could be the signs of ill health. Our Veterinarians can alert you to medical reasons if your cat starts acting strangely or out of character.
