Why Do Cats Purr and Other Strange Cat Behaviors Explained

Watch one of the million cat videos on You Tube and you'll see: cats are strange creatures! While the species has many fans it is often very misunderstood.  These are some of the top questions that we get asked about cat behavior.

Why do cats purr?  Cats purr for many reasons.  Most people think a purring cat is a happy cat.  While this is true, cats can also purr when they are scared or hurt.  It is theorized that cats purr to self-soothe when they are in tense situations.  Studies also have shown that cats purr at a frequency at which can stimulate bone healing!

Why do cats knead with their paws?  Kneading or "making biscuits" originates at birth when kittens nurse.  The action is said to stimulate milk flow.  This behavior can be displayed in adult cats as a sign of contentedness and affection.

Why does my cat always put it's rear end in my face?  Some people tend think when their cat does this or when it sits facing away from them that it's a sign of disrespect.  Actually it shows a deep trustfulness towards you and that they feel safe.  It also puts them into a perfect position to watch out for and guard the two of you.

Why does my cat scratch and try to cover it's food and water bowls?  Cats will do this to cover up excrement in their litter box.  As a result it is a common misconception that when they try to cover their food or water they are unhappy with it or that it smells bad.  The truth is that it is a survival instinct to hide the odor of their food so as to not attract other predators. Also it prevents their prey from being tipped off.

Why do cats head bop or cheek rub?  When cats bump or press their heads to you or other cats they are using the glands located on their head to scent mark.  The same can be said when they rub their cheeks or mouth on objects or people.  The reason for this is much more complex than territory marking.  In the wild, where feral cats tend to live in colonies, scent marking is important for identification of fellow colony members.  When they do it to their human family it is a sign of friendliness and affection.

Why does my cat bite or claw me when being petted?  This Jekyll and Hyde behavior can be very confusing to their owners: cats will seek attention and suddenly attack them for seemingly no reason.  The fact is that every cat has a individual threshold of how much stimulation it can take.  Once this threshold has been reached the cat feels that the only way to make the stimulation stop is by biting or scratching.  To prevent being attacked be sure to watch for signs of your cat becoming discontent such as cessation of purring, tail flicking, and ears pointing backwards.

Why does my cat scratch furniture?  Despite what their owners think cats don't scratch the new sofa for the thrill of destruction and they are not merely sharpening their claws: it is a territorial behavior.  Feral cats will scratch objects to leave visual and scent cues to warn other cats to stay away from their turf.  Also the action helps alleviate stress and stretches their back and shoulder muscles.   To help keep your furniture intact, provide your cat with appropriate scratching surfaces.  They prefer tall, stable scratching posts made from sisal rope.  Be sure to provide a variety of scratching posts in different locations of your home including the areas that Kitty frequents the most.

Why do cats like catnip?  Catnip is an herb in the mint family that contains a chemical called Nepatalactone that causes euphoria in cats.  The ability to react to catnip is inherited and about 30% of cats lack the
gene that causes it.  Also young kittens and elderly cats tend to not have a reaction and kittens may actually be repelled by it.  Catnip can be given in dried or fresh form either sprinkled loose on surfaces or inside of toys.  Typically when cats inhale the chemical, the reaction causes euphoria and stimulation while ingestion of the herb causes calming and sedation.  This kitty "high" will last 10 to 20 minutes and it takes about 2 hours to reset your cat's ability to react again.  Be careful to limit exposure to 3 times a week or your cat may lost it's ability to react to it.  Another interesting tidbit is that even big cats such as tigers love catnip!

Why do cats open their mouths when smelling things?  Have you ever noticed when your cat is sniffing something interesting they open their mouths slightly?  This is sometimes called "stinky face" but the proper term is the Flehmen Response.  Cats, like many other animals, have scent receptors in the roof of their mouths and by opening them, they are better able to smell.  Cats are most likely to do this when smelling other cats or urine.


Does your cat have any lovable idiosyncrasies?  We'd love to hear them!

-Amanda Ward, R.V.T. 
Kutter Pet Care Center