Why Does My Cat Do That? Unusual Cat Behaviors Explained

Cats are mysterious creatures. If you’re a cat owner, you’ve probably noticed a lot of odd behaviors that seem hard to understand. The truth is a lot of these unusual habits are simply instinct for your cat. Some of them may be leftover behaviors from before cats were domesticated, some may be related to hunting, and some can be traced back to kittenhood. It’s easy to forget that cats existed in the wild for millions of years before humans domesticated them, so they naturally have a lot of habits ingrained in them by evolution. Read on for some interesting theories on some of the most common quirks you may have observed in your cat’s behavior.

Chattering its teeth at birds

Ever noticed your cat sat on the windowsill, chattering its teeth at a bird? No one knows for sure why cats do this, but there are several theories. We do know that it is an instinctual behavior related to hunting, but no one knows for sure what the exact purpose is. It seems somewhat counterintuitive to make noise when you’re stalking your prey, right? Some cat behaviorists believe this is a sign of frustration. Your cat can see its prey but can’t reach it, so it’s just venting its frustration. Another theory is that it is your cat’s attempt to mimic the bird and try and trick it into coming closer (if this is true, maybe it needs to work on its imitation skills a little). Behaviorists also suggest that it may be your cat’s way of practicing its bite, just in case it somehow does manage to hunt down that sparrow that’s taunting it through the glass.

Scratching the floor before eating

You may have spotted your cat scratching around its food bowl before or after eating. It seems pretty pointless and strange, but there are a few possible instinctual causes for this odd behavior. As explained by sprayingcats.com, cats might do this as a way of covering up their tracks. Cats have a natural instinct to bury their food to prevent predators from smelling the leftovers and tracking them. Conversely, another theory suggests pawing around its food may be a cat’s way of leaving its scent and marking its territory.

Kneading

Kneading is when your cat softly moves its paws up and down. Some cat owners affectionately refer to this behavior as ‘making bread’ or ‘biscuits’. We all know kneading is a sign of happiness in cats. It often accompanies purring and general affection. But where does this behavior come from? Well, the explanation is kind of adorable, so brace yourself for some cuteness. Kneading is a leftover behavior from kittenhood when kittens gently push on their mother’s belly to stimulate her milk flow while they are suckling. Kittens naturally feel very content while suckling, so end up associating the act of kneading with feeling comfortable and safe. This association continues into adulthood, which is why adult cats knead when they are feeling happy and contented (I know, I told you it was cute!).

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