Short answers to common questions about cat behaviour, drawn from the Journal of Applied Whiskers. Each answer links to the full paper. The guidance is general, and if you are worried about a cat, please consult a veterinarian.
Why do cats groom themselves so much?
For cleanliness, but also to spread natural oils, cool down, manage scent and calm themselves. Cats commonly spend a large share of their waking hours grooming.
Read the full paper: Why cats groom themselves
Why does my cat bite me when I pet it?
The most common reason is overstimulation. Cats have a limit to how much petting they enjoy, and a bite or swat is their way of ending the session. Warning signs include a flicking tail, rippling skin and flattened ears.
Read the full paper: Why cats bite when you pet them
Why do cats have a third eyelid?
The third eyelid, or nictitating membrane, helps protect the eye, spread tears and clear debris. It is usually mostly hidden. A persistently visible third eyelid can be a sign of illness or an eye problem.
Read the full paper: Why cats have a third eyelid
Why do cats show their belly?
A cat that exposes its belly usually feels safe and relaxed, so it is often a sign of trust. It is not always an invitation to rub, since many cats dislike belly touching, and some roll over defensively.
Read the full paper: Why cats show their belly
Why do cats chatter at birds?
Chattering is most often explained as excitement or frustration at seeing prey that is out of reach. Some behaviourists suggest it also resembles the bite cats use to finish a hunt.
Read the full paper: Why cats chatter at birds
Why do cats headbutt you?
Head bunting leaves scent from glands on the cheeks and forehead, and is usually a friendly, affectionate greeting. It also marks people and objects with a familiar scent.
Read the full paper: Why cats headbutt you
Why do cats scratch furniture?
Cats scratch to remove worn outer claw layers, stretch their muscles, and mark territory with both a visible mark and scent from glands in the paws. Many also scratch when excited.
Read the full paper: Why cats scratch furniture
How well can cats see in the dark, and why do their eyes glow?
Cats see far better than humans in dim light thanks to large pupils, many light-sensitive rod cells and a reflective layer behind the retina called the tapetum lucidum, which also makes their eyes glow. They cannot see in total darkness.
Read the full paper: How well cats see in the dark
Why are calico cats almost always female?
The gene for orange fur is on the X chromosome. Females have two X chromosomes and can carry both orange and non-orange versions, which produces the patchwork. Males normally have one X, so they are one colour or the other. Male calicos are rare and usually have an extra X chromosome.
Read the full paper: Why calico cats are almost always female
Why do cats knead?
Kittens knead their mother's belly to stimulate milk flow, and many adult cats keep the habit when they feel relaxed and safe. Kneading may also leave scent from glands in the paws.
Read the full paper: Why cats knead
Why do cats love catnip?
Catnip contains nepetalactone, which causes many cats to roll, rub and play. Not all cats respond, since sensitivity is largely inherited, and the effect usually lasts only a few minutes.
Read the full paper: Why cats love catnip
Why do cats meow?
Kittens meow at their mothers, but adult cats rarely meow at each other and mostly meow at people. Meows can signal a greeting, a request for food or attention, or distress.
Read the full paper: Why cats meow
Why do cats love high places?
High places give cats a clear view, a sense of safety and often warmth. Some suggest it is an inherited preference from tree-climbing relatives, though that is hard to prove.
Read the full paper: Why cats love high places
Why do cats purr?
Cats mostly purr when relaxed, but also when nursing, seeking attention, or sometimes when stressed or in pain. The sound comes from rapid muscle twitching in the larynx and is commonly reported at roughly 25 to 150 hertz.
Read the full paper: Why cats purr
Why do cats stare at walls or empty space?
Cats can hear very faint and high-pitched sounds and spot tiny movements that people miss, such as an insect in a wall or dust drifting in light. Occasional staring is normal.
Read the full paper: Why cats stare at nothing
Why do cats hate citrus smells?
Cats have a very sensitive sense of smell, and many find the sharp scent of citrus unpleasant. The exact reason is unclear. Citrus peel and essential oils can be harmful to cats, so they should not be used as repellents.
Read the full paper: Why cats hate citrus
What does it mean when a cat slow blinks at you?
It is widely understood as a friendly signal. A 2020 study found that cats were more likely to slow blink back at owners who slow blinked at them, and more likely to approach an experimenter's hand after being slow blinked at.
Read the full paper: The slow blink
Why do cats chase their tails?
It is usually play. Kittens chase their tails while they discover their bodies, and adult cats may do it out of boredom or excess energy. Frequent or intense tail chasing is worth a vet visit.
Read the full paper: Why cats chase their tails
Why do cats hide when visitors come?
Unfamiliar people, smells and voices can feel like a threat to a cat, and hiding is a natural way to cope. Give your cat a quiet room with a hiding place, and ask guests to ignore it.
Read the full paper: Why cats hide from visitors
Do cats get lonely?
Cats vary. Many form strong bonds with people and other cats, and some become anxious or bored if left alone for long periods, while others are content by themselves. The evidence is limited, so watch for changes in behaviour.
Read the full paper: Do cats get lonely
Why do cats sit on keyboards and laptops?
Laptops are warm, keyboards smell like you, and sitting on one is an efficient way to get attention from a person who is looking at a screen.
Read the full paper: Why cats sit on keyboards
Is string safe for cats?
Not if it is swallowed. String, thread, yarn, ribbon, tinsel and hair ties can cause life-threatening blockages. Use string toys only under supervision, put them away afterwards, and see a vet immediately if a cat swallows any.
Read the full paper: Is string safe for cats
Why do cats knock things off tables?
Usually because it is fun and rewarding. Cats use their paws to test small objects, moving and falling things are entertaining, and a human reaction can reinforce the habit. There is no good evidence it is done out of spite.
Read the full paper: Why cats knock things off tables
Why do cats eat grass?
Nobody is entirely sure. Suggestions include aiding digestion, adding fibre, clearing hairballs or parasites, or simply enjoying the taste and texture. Many cats do not vomit afterwards.
Read the full paper: Why cats eat grass
Do cats know their names?
Research suggests they do. A 2019 study in Scientific Reports found that cats could tell their own names from other words, often with subtle reactions such as ear or tail movements, even when they did not come when called.
Read the full paper: Do cats know their names
Why do cats bring dead animals home?
Cats are natural hunters and often hunt even when well fed. They may carry prey to a place where they feel safe to eat it. The idea that it is a gift or a lesson for humans is popular but unproven.
Read the full paper: Why cats bring you dead animals
What are a cat's whiskers for?
Whiskers are sensory organs. They help cats detect nearby objects and small air movements, especially in dim light, and their position can reflect mood. They should never be trimmed.
Read the full paper: What cats' whiskers are for
Why do cats like sitting in boxes?
Boxes give cats security, warmth and a place to watch from. A 2014 study of shelter cats found that cats given a hiding box had lower stress scores and settled in faster than cats without one.
Read the full paper: Why cats sit in boxes
Why do cats hate water?
Many cats dislike getting wet because a soaked coat is heavy, cold and slow to dry, and immersion is unfamiliar. The idea that it comes from desert ancestors is plausible but unproven, and some cats enjoy water.
Read the full paper: Why cats hate water
Why do cats get the zoomies at night?
Cats are crepuscular, meaning most active around dawn and dusk, and a cat that has slept most of the day may have energy to burn. These bursts are known as frenetic random activity periods, or FRAPs.
Read the full paper: Why cats get the zoomies at night
Are laser pointers bad for cats?
Not necessarily, but some veterinary behaviourists warn that chasing a dot that can never be caught may frustrate some cats. Ending each session with a treat or a toy the cat can catch helps, and a laser should never be pointed at the eyes.
Read the full paper: The red dot problem
How much do cats sleep?
Adult cats commonly sleep about 12 to 16 hours a day, and kittens and older cats often sleep more. Sleep conserves energy between hunts, and much of it is light dozing.
Read the full paper: How much do cats sleep
Why do cats stand in doorways?
There is little formal research, but likely reasons include a good view of two rooms at once, patrolling the edge of their territory, keeping options open, and learning that it gets doors opened.
Read the full paper: Why cats stand in doorways
Why do cats lie in the sun?
Cats prefer warmer surroundings than people do, and a sunny patch is a free heat source. It is about comfort rather than vitamin D, because cats get most of their vitamin D from their food.