Cat behaviour
Why cats do what they do: a short answer, the reasons and what helps day to day. Each question says when it is time to see a vet.
These answers explain ordinary behaviour and do not replace advice from a vet or a qualified trainer. If the behaviour changed suddenly, see a vet.
Most asked
- Why is my cat active at night? Cats are liveliest at dusk and dawn, when their ancestors hunted. A cat that dozes alone all day has energy left over at night, so an energetic play session in the evening and a meal just before you go to bed help.
- Why does my cat bite? A cat bites when stroking becomes too much, when it hunts your hands or feet in play, or when it is scared or in pain. Play biting can be redirected to toys, while new biting when touched is a sign to have the cat's health checked.
- Why is my cat yowling and rolling around? A young unspayed female that yowls loudly, rolls on the floor, rubs against everything and raises her rear when stroked is very likely in heat. It is natural, but it comes back every few weeks; whether and when to spay her is something to discuss with your vet.
- Why does my cat knead? Kneading is a habit left over from kittenhood, when a kitten pressed its mother's belly with its paws to make the milk flow. An adult cat kneads when it feels safe and content, settles down to sleep or marks a spot with its scent.
- Why does my cat meow so much? Adult cats hardly meow at each other: meowing is how they talk to people. A cat meows for food, attention or to be let out, and some breeds are simply chattier. If the meowing has suddenly increased or the cat is older, talk to your vet.
- Why does my cat purr? A purring cat is in many cases saying that it feels good, but not always. Cats also purr to ask for food or attention, and to calm themselves when they are frightened, in pain or ill, so always look at the whole cat, not just the sound.
- Why does my cat scratch furniture? Scratching is something a cat needs to do: it sheds old claw layers, stretches and leaves scent and visible marks. You cannot ban it, but you can redirect it to a sturdy scratching post placed where the cat wants to scratch.
Sounds
- Why does my cat chatter at birds? Chattering is the quick jaw movement and twittering sound a cat makes when it sees a bird or an insect it cannot reach. It is hunting excitement mixed with frustration: normal, harmless behaviour.
- Why is my cat yowling and rolling around? A young unspayed female that yowls loudly, rolls on the floor, rubs against everything and raises her rear when stroked is very likely in heat. It is natural, but it comes back every few weeks; whether and when to spay her is something to discuss with your vet.
- Why does my cat meow so much? Adult cats hardly meow at each other: meowing is how they talk to people. A cat meows for food, attention or to be let out, and some breeds are simply chattier. If the meowing has suddenly increased or the cat is older, talk to your vet.
- Why does my cat purr? A purring cat is in many cases saying that it feels good, but not always. Cats also purr to ask for food or attention, and to calm themselves when they are frightened, in pain or ill, so always look at the whole cat, not just the sound.
Body language and habits
- Why does my cat hiss? Hissing is a cat's 'keep away' warning when it is frightened, feels cornered or is in pain. It is not anger or spite but a request for space, so the best response is to stop and let the cat move away.
- Why does my cat knead? Kneading is a habit left over from kittenhood, when a kitten pressed its mother's belly with its paws to make the milk flow. An adult cat kneads when it feels safe and content, settles down to sleep or marks a spot with its scent.
- Why does my cat rub against me? Rubbing against your legs is how a cat leaves its scent and says hello. Glands on the cheeks, chin and at the base of the tail give off a smell people can barely notice, but to the cat it means you are part of its family.
- What does my cat's tail mean? A tail held straight up is a friendly hello, a puffed-up tail means fear and a tail lashing from side to side means irritation. Read the tail together with the ears, eyes and posture: only all the signs together show how the cat feels.
People and other animals
- Why does my cat bite? A cat bites when stroking becomes too much, when it hunts your hands or feet in play, or when it is scared or in pain. Play biting can be redirected to toys, while new biting when touched is a sign to have the cat's health checked.
- Why does my cat lick me? Cats lick each other to strengthen their bond and share their scent, so when your cat licks your hand or hair it is treating you as one of the family. Sometimes it simply likes the taste of salt or cream on your skin.
- Why are my cats fighting? Cats fight over territory, food, the litter box or resting places, out of fear, or when a new animal arrives in the home. Some 'fights' are only play, so the first step is to tell play apart from a real conflict.
Play, hunting and energy
- Why is my cat active at night? Cats are liveliest at dusk and dawn, when their ancestors hunted. A cat that dozes alone all day has energy left over at night, so an energetic play session in the evening and a meal just before you go to bed help.
- Why does my cat bring me prey? A cat is a born hunter, and it carries its catch to a safe place: your home. There is no point punishing it, as it is following instinct. Daily play partly takes the place of hunting, and keeping the cat in at dawn and dusk protects the birds.
Home and belongings
- Why does my cat knock things off tables? A cat pushes things about and knocks them off out of curiosity, in play or to get your attention. With its paw it checks whether an object moves like prey, and a falling pen plus your reaction makes a great game.
- Why does my cat scratch furniture? Scratching is something a cat needs to do: it sheds old claw layers, stretches and leaves scent and visible marks. You cannot ban it, but you can redirect it to a sturdy scratching post placed where the cat wants to scratch.
Food and outdoors
- Why does my cat eat grass and plants? Chewing grass is natural cat behaviour that many owners notice. Grass may help a cat get rid of swallowed fur, or it may simply like it, so it is worth growing some safe grass for your cat and checking that your houseplants are not toxic.
- Why does my indoor cat want to go out? Cats are drawn outdoors by the hunting instinct, curiosity and the urge to patrol their territory. An indoor cat can live happily if it has enough to do at home: places to climb, play, watch from the window and get fresh air safely.
Toilet habits
When behaviour can be a sign of illness
Some changes in behaviour are symptoms: they are covered on the symptom pages, with the possible causes and when to see a vet.
- Cat grooming excessively Excessive licking, licking one spot or odd licking and chewing movements very often point to itching, pain or illness, not to a habit or boredom. Cats hide pain, so such behaviour may be the first sign. A cat like this should be seen by a vet.
- Cat hiding New or increased hiding very often means pain or illness, not a problem of character or training. Cats hide weakness and pain, so hiding, especially together with a smaller appetite, can be the first and only sign. A cat like this should be seen by a vet.
- Cat in pain when touched If a cat has started to react crossly to stroking or touch, hissing, pulling away or nipping, it very often means pain or illness, not a problem of character or training. Cats hide pain, so such a change can be the first sign. A cat like this should be seen by a vet.
- Cat going outside the litter box When a cat that used to use the box starts urinating or passing stools beside it or elsewhere in the house, it is a medical sign until a vet says otherwise. It is not stubbornness or spite, and it is often the first sign of illness.
- Cat lethargic and sleeping more A cat that becomes less lively, sleeps more, rests longer or shows less interest in what is going on around it may be unwell even when nothing else is visible. Cats hide illness, so a quieter cat than usual is information, not nothing.
- Cat chewing or eating non-food items A cat chews fabric or plastic, sucks woollen things or swallows thread and ribbon. It is more than an odd habit, because a swallowed object can block the gut, and swallowed thread, string or ribbon is an emergency even if the cat seems well.
- Cat always hungry A cat that suddenly eats more, begs for food all the time or steals it from the table may be more than just greedy. If it is also losing weight, drinking more or has become restless, that is a medical sign whose cause a vet needs to find.