There are so many breeds of cats and their behaviors vary. But irrespective of the breed there are some generally normal behaviors that we expect to see in all cats.
There are some demeanors in cats that if noted may require medical attention. Here are some typical mannerisms that cat owners should expect from their cats.
1. Climbing: It is so natural for cats to climb. Cats attempt to climb on anything that seems steady. If the cat owner is lucky enough to have a backyard with a fence and trees, then the cat will surely take advantage of the opportunity to climb. Kitties climb for various reasons; they may want to watch what’s going on in the house from a safe distance without being seen.
Not all cats get along immediately with dogs of the household; they therefore will look for a higher place to hide because it is safer. They could choose the top of the fridge for instance because the dog may not be in a position to reach the top. The cat owner may observe that the cat likes to hang on curtains too. Some cats like to climb up high so that they are not awakened or disturbed by movement.
2. Hunting: Regardless of the fact that the owner provides sufficient amounts of food, cats will just naturally try and hunt for rodents, bugs, and lizards among other things. Cats are obligate carnivores and they definitely need meat in order to survive. The cat may shock its owner every now and then when it drags something new into the house. Once in a while the predator in them will kick in.
3. Sleeping: Research shows that cats can sleep up to 16 hours or even more, per day. When cats fall asleep they do dream, it is evident in the movement of their limbs. The cats seem as if they are running and may even make sounds. Owners should take note of how long their cats sleep. If there is a change in their sleep habbits, that is; they sleep for longer than 16 hours or are not sleeping that much, then the cat owner needs to treat it as urgent and seek medical attention. It could be a sign of some looming health problems, especially in much older cats.
4. Playing: You will notice that cats are really playful in nature. Cats love to play with other cats, they really value playtime with their owners. If they feel like you have neglected them, then they will definitely remind you that it’s playtime. You should also ensure that the cat has enough play toys, as this is really important.
5. Grooming: kitties love spending time cleaning and grooming themselves. Cats are generally clean in nature. Cats are not really like dogs, they are proactive when it comes to their hygiene. You may see your cat licking itself; they do like using their tongue to clean themselves. When you see your cat scratching itself, it’s also a cleaning technique that it uses to dislodge the fleas from its body, especially neck and head.
6. Rubbing against you: Most cats love to be cuddled, petted and just held. You may observe that your cat may be rubbing its body against your leg. Cats may use body language as a form of communication. Cats crave attention naturally. They sometimes just want to get your attention so that they can be petted, or even just fed. They may even inflict friendly bites or scratches to get your attention (sometimes referred to as “love bites”.
7. Purring: It’s natural for cats to meow every now and then, in fact if cats don’t purr owners would be rushing them to the vet, thinking that there is something wrong with them. Cats purr for various reasons. A cat will purr when it is gratified. You will find that once the cat is fed it will stretch and start licking itself in contentment.
A cat could also purr if it is nervous; there are lots of things that could put a cat on edge. The cat could have seen a predator or even a dog. Not all cats get along with dogs, so your cat may purr because it fears the dog. It may have sensed danger and uses its purr as a call for help. Cat and kittens both purr during nursing. The kitties really enjoy getting breast milk from their mothers.
Cats love being petted, and they jump at any opportunity to get petted. They purr when they are under duress, ill or even injured. The cat owner should not assume that all purrs are alike; they should pay necessary attention to what the cat is trying to communicate.
8. Panting: though a rare occurrence in cats but not totally impossible. The weather may contribute to the cat being a little out of breath; it could be slightly warmer or hotter than usual. Cats get anxious too, and the fear could possibly trigger a panic attack where the cat starts panting. Things like car rides can make a cat nervous, if he is not accustomed to rides every now and then. The kitty could be exhausted from playing or exercising.
Cats occasionally get excited. However there is some panting that is not normal and should not be taken as business as usual. The cat could have a nasal blockage; your cat may have ingested something poisonous. If the cat even exhibits a cough or is breathing shallowly, then the cat owner needs to consult a vet and the cat needs to get medical attention immediately.
9. Aggression: your cat may display some aggressive behavior, they may even attack you. This could be for various reasons; they could just be simply playing. When cats are playing roughly they could forget and turn aggressive. The cat could be scared and hence defend itself, when it thinks it is in danger.
It is also a possibility that the cat could be looking for attention from its owner. The owner may pet the cat too much and at times where it hurts then the cat may respond by biting its owner, just to alert them that it’s a no-go-zone.
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