Why Does My Cat…?
Have you ever wondered, “Why does my cat do that?” Whether it’s scratching furniture, running around like a maniac at night, making weird noises, or something else, we know the list could go on and on. So why DOES your cat do these things? We’re here to help you get to the bottom of these behaviors!
Why does my cat scratch?
Scratching is a normal, natural, and necessary behavior for cats. Cats scratch to renew their nails, mark their territory, and to stretch out their limbs. Your cat can even use scratching as a form of communication, often when feeling stressed or anxious. If you’ve noticed an increase in your cats scratching, it could be feeling distressed and it’s important to figure out the cause.
Why is my cat up all night?
Your cat seems like it is up at night because it is crepuscular, or an animal naturally more active at dawn and dusk. At these times, your cat is likely to hunt, play, eat and cuddle much more than any other time of the day. If your cat’s nighttime activity is keeping you up, try incorporating vigorous play before you head to bed to help it burn some energy.
Why does my cat meow?
Did you know cats rarely meow at others cats? They usually meow to get the attention of humans! Cats are highly aware of their surroundings and have learned that the best way to get humans to respond to a situation or their needs is to make an unusual noise; a meow! They will also alter the pitch of their meow depending on what they are trying to communicate.
Why does my cat purr?
We all love a warm, cuddly cat purr. In general, cats purr to communicate their presence and emotional state to other cats or humans. Cats usually purr because they’re happy and content, and it’s at these times when they will often combine purring with kneading or bunting. If a cat is anxious or trying to appease a dominant cat, it will likely purr at a higher pitch with a tight body posture to lessen tension.
Why does my cat not use the litter box?
Your cat might not be using the litter box for a number of reasons – environmental and social factors, marking behavior, medical causes and problems, or Feline Idiopathic Cystitis (FIC).
- Environmental & Social Factors: Cats may avoid using their litter box if it’s located in an undesirable location, hasn’t been cleaned, is used by multiple other cats (especially more dominant ones), or if it had a negative experience while using the box.
- Marking Behaviors: Unneutered male cats and unspayed female cats will often mark with urine as a part of their sexual behavior. Anxiety-related marking can also occur in response to a change in the cat’s environment.
- Medical Causes & Problems: If you think your cat is soiling the house due to a medical issue, contact your veterinarian to set up a physical examination.
Feline Idiopathic Cystitis (FIC): Cats suffering from FIC have increased frequency of urination, difficulty and pain when urinating, and can have blood in their urine.
