Category Archives: Cat Behavior

Are Cats Smart? Five Ways To Find Out

Are Cats Smart?, Cat Behavior

Are cats smart? I have to admit I know one who seems dumb as a rock. But most of us are very smart, although not in the same ways you are. We couldn’t do a complicated math problem, but I’ll bet you couldn’t figure out how to catch a mouse!

Are cats smart? Most are, although they'll never earn a diploma

Maybe your cats will never earn diplomas. But that doesn’t mean they’re not very smart.

Are cats smart Thomasina? Mine does the dumbest things!  — Curious Cat Mom

Hi Curious Cat Mom!

I’ll bet some of the things your cat does that seem dumb to you make perfect sense to him. Most cats are smart — very smart. But we use our intelligence in different ways than you do because we need to accomplish different things.

Although your cat can probably count exactly how many treats you just gave him, we have no need to understand advanced math. And you have no need to know how to catch a mouse because you probably wouldn’t eat one, no matter how hungry you were. 


Cats Have Lots Of Brain Power Packed Into A Tiny Package …

Read More+

How Do Cats Know What Time It Is?

Cat Behavior, How Cats Tell Time

Do cats know what time it is? We do! We come with built-in clocks that tell us what we need to do when. They’re really handy when it’s time for breakfast!

Somehow cats know what time it is, and they don't need to look at a clock.

Your cat doesn’t need a clock to know what time it is.

How do cats know what time it is, Thomasina? My indoor/outdoor cat comes in every night promptly at 10 pm. If I open the door a bit early, he’s not there. But if I’m a few minutes late, he’s annoyed because he had to wait. Does he really know what time it is?
— Just Wondering 

Hi Just Wondering…
Cats know what time it is, although we don’t think of it the way you do. You look at time in minutes and hours. We see it in intervals.

Our sense of time is based on circadian rhythms (On what??? My human typist stuck that in there) that pretty much control our internal clocks. Those clocks tell us when one interval (being outside) should end and another (going in for a nap) should begin.

It sounds like your cat’s clock is set to tell him to go inside at 10 pm your time. Of course, he might decide to reset the clock, depending on the weather. So don’t be surprised if his schedule changes with the seasons.

The Sun Helps Cats Know What Time It Is

…

Read More+

When Cats Get Bored | 11 Ways To Help

Cat Behavior, When Cats Get Bored

Did you know this? Cats get bored. Very bored. That’s especially true of cats who live strictly indoors. I’ve put together some suggestions for making life more fun and interesting for bored cats.

When cats get bored, they might sleep even more than usual.

Could your cat be sleeping even more than usual because he’s bored?

Do cats get bored, Thomasina? All my cat does is eat and sleep.

— Worried Cat Mom

Hi Worried Cat Mom!

Thanks for your question! Sadly, many people don’t even think about cats getting bored. But boredom can be a real problem for cats, especially cats who live strictly indoors.

Think about what your life would be like if all you had to do was look at the same four walls day after day, year after year. I’ll bet you’re already falling asleep!

While we do sleep a lot — between 13-16 hours a day — there’s a reason for those frequent cat naps. Our bodies are designed to run, climb and hunt, and we need to conserve energy for all those intense activities. But sleeping all the time isn’t conserving energy. When cats get bored, they can’t think of anything else to do but sleep.


How To Know When Cats Get Bored

…

Read More+

Our Cats’ Pet Peeves | 14 Things Humans Do That Cats Hate

Cat Behavior, Cat-Human Bond, Things Cats Hate
You know that disgusted look on your cat’s face? I don’t mean to hurt your feelings, but there are some things humans do that cats hate. I’ve made this list so you can avoid annoying your cat, at least some of the time. 

 

This cat looks so disgusted. Maybe her human is doing one of the things cats hate.

Sometimes you can tell by the look on your cat’s face if your doing one of the things cats hate.

Can humans do things cats hate, Thomasina? The other night, I gave mine a big hug and got scratched! Why would he do that? I thought he loved me!
— Hurt

 Hey, Hurt!
I’m so sorry about the scratch. Unfortunately, humans can do things cats hate. And for some of us, hugging is one of them. If you gave me a hug, I’d scratch, too. Many of us aren’t big on huge human arms squishing us until our ribs ache.

I’m sure your cat loves you a lot. But there are some things humans do that annoy us so much. Picking us up is one of them. We feel safer when our feet are planted firmly on the ground, not suspended in midair. Hugging can actually hurt and makes getting picked up even worse.

14 Things Cats Hate

…

Read More+

Why Do Cats Knock Things Over? Not Just Because It’s Fun!

Cat Behavior, Why Cats Knock Things Over
Why do cats insist on knocking things over? We have some good reasons for this. But we don’t do it just to annoy you! 
Why do cats knock things over?

Cats knock things over, but not just because it’s fun.

Why do cats knock things over, Thomasina? My cat is constantly swatting pictures and trinkets onto the floor.

— Annoyed

Hey, Annoyed!
I can see where constantly picking things up would get really tiresome. But your cat doesn’t mean to annoy you or be disrespectful. We just see things differently than you do, and sometimes cats knock things over because they’re in the way.

Your cat doesn’t realize your pictures and trinkets are arranged on a table because they look nice. If she wants to nap on the table, and they’re in her way, she’ll just push them aside. It doesn’t seem like a problem to her if they all land on the floor. 


Why Cats Knock Things Over

…

Read More+

When A Cat Has Separation Anxiety | Seven Ways To Help

Cat Behavior, Cat Has Separation Anxiety, Separation Anxiety

Are you concerned that your cat has separation anxiety? I’ve put together seven suggestions that will help her feel better.

What to do if your cat has separation anxiety

If your cat has separation anxiety, it might be caused by boredom.

I think my cat has separation anxiety, Thomasina. What can I do? She gets so anxious and depressed when I leave the house.

— Feeling Guilty

Hey, Feeling Guilty!

If your cat has separation anxiety, there are ways to help, so don’t feel guilty. After all, sometimes you really do have to leave the house!

This is just a theory on my part. But I think when a cat has separation anxiety it’s often because she’s bored. Being home all alone isn’t very interesting.

 


Signs That Your Cat Has Separation Anxiety

…

Read More+

How To Make Friends With A New Cat | Manners Matter

Cat Behavior, How To Make Friends With A New Cat

Are you trying to make friends with a new cat? Remember that cat manners matter a lot!

Manners matter when you want to make friends with a new cat.

Manners matter when making friends with a new cat.

How can I make friends with a new cat, Thomasina? I’d love to  become buddies with an indoor/outdoor cat in my neighborhood.
— Hopeful

Hi Hopeful…
I’m so glad you asked! So many humans have such bad manners when they try to make friends with a new cat. 

Like people, we really don’t like it when someone invades our personal space. And tromping up to a cat on the sidewalk and trying to put your hands all over him is a major invasion of his personal space. It’s also a good way to get scratched!


Manners Matter When You Want To Make Friends With A New Cat

…

Read More+

Do Cats Like Dogs? Are They Happy Living Together?

Cat Behavior, Cats And Dogs, Outside Cats

Do cats like dogs? Some of us do. Try these tips for bringing an outside cat in and introducing him to your dog.

Many cats like dogs.

Some cats like dogs enough to share a box with them.

Do cats like dogs, Thomasina? A cat has been living on my deck for months, and I’d like to invite him to come in. I don’t want him to hate living with my dog though.
— Maybe Future Cat Mom

Hey Future Cat Mom…
I’m so glad you asked before you brought the cat in! Yes, some cats like dogs. And some dogs like cats. It all depends on the personalities. 

…

Read More+

Why Do Cats Walk On People? They’re Not Being Rude

Cat Behavior, Why Cats Walk On People
Does your cat walk all over you? Despite what you may think when cats walk on people we’re not being rude!
Why do cats walk on people? Not because they're rude!

Why do cats walk on people? Not because they’re rude!

Why do cats walk on people, Thomasina? My cat walks across me like I’m not even there. He’s so rude!
— Stepped On

Hi Stepped On!
I don’t think your cat’s being rude. I walk across our human all the time! When my feet are wet, I sort of regret getting muddy paw prints all over her. But I guess that’s why humans have those noisy machines that wash their clothes. 

Cats walk on people because the people are in the way. Usually, when cats walk on people, they’re taking a shortcut. Strolling across your lap, or your back when you’re in bed, is a fast and efficient way of getting from point A to point B.


When Cats Walk On People, It’s All About Efficiency, Not Manners

…

Read More+

Five Reasons Why Your Cat Doesn’t Purr

Cat Behavior, Why Cats Don't Purr

If your cat doesn’t purr, don’t take it personally. I don’t either! Purring is a lot of work, and some of us think it’s just not worth it. And there are other reasons why some cats don’t purr, too.

Even if your cat doesn't purr, she shows affection in other ways.

Don’t take it personally if your cat doesn’t purr.

My cat doesn’t purr, Thomasina. Does that mean she doesn’t like me?
— Feeling Hurt

Hey, Feeling Hurt…
To be honest, I don’t purr either. Maybe your cat doesn’t purr, but I’ll bet she lets you know she loves you in other ways. Some of us just show affection differently. 

Our human can tell I love her by the look in my eyes and by the way I press my head into her hand when she touches me. Your cat might also show how much she loves you by rubbing against your hands, your face or your legs or kneading. 


Five Reasons Why Your Cat Doesn’t Purr

…

Read More+