Understanding Cat Quirks

Your cat’s personality is as unique as the colors of his fur. Does your feline house mate’s odd behavior befuddle you? Only your cat knows why he acts so weird at times. And since your cat won’t be speaking your language any time soon to give you an explanation, you must learn to speak cat instead.

So you think your stuff is yours? Ha! Your cat thinks differently. Have your ever found your cat suspended from your thousand dollar draperies? How about comfortably ensconced under your bed covers? These belong to the cat, not you. You can be certain, your cat will do exactly as it pleases. Despite the high dollar price tag associated with some of its favorite play things.

Little kitty poltergeists

Crashing and banging is normal nighttime activity in a cat’s home. I say “cat’s home” because of course, it’s his, not yours. Playing hockey with small objects in the dark, pushing things off tables, knocking over water-filled vases, and upsetting water glasses are nocturnal norms for cats. It’s your own problem if you wake up scared to death thinking there’s an intruder in your house.

Dragging the water bowl across the floor is always great fun. It just didn’t look right where it was, don’t you know? Tipping over empty food bowls makes a nice clattering sound. The best fun comes when the minions choose to sleep in. It’s great entertainment to push things off the dresser until someone gets up to fill the food bowls. How dare the humans sleep?

Endless amusements

That tail thing seems to follow your cat everywhere. It’s imperative that your cat catches that varmint. Top speed tail chasing is always a great game, until kitty smashes into the wall. Howling after a trip to the toilet is kitty’s way of telling you what’s going on. Whether you want to know or not!

Boxes, bags, cabinets, and drawers provide endless hiding spots and good locations for ambushing the prey in the house. Namely, you! Ankle whacking is a painful reminder to humans of who is boss. These very same critters that howled for food attack those same providers for grins and giggles. It’s a cat; it’s not supposed to make sense.

In a hurry to get to work, forget it! Your cat just might help speed things along by banging on the shower door, running their claws through your hair, and flicking cosmetics off the sink counters. In a hurry to leave? Not yet! It’s fun to watch minions rush around after flipping over the water dish.

Cleo, my old kitty, turned the simple household chore of changing sheets into a domestic nightmare. She ambushed the dirty sheets upon removal, and stretched out on the mattress to prevent me from making the bed. I secured the fitted sheet with the cat under it, made the bed, and then suffered the consequences of sharp claws and rapid-fire kitty smacks for daring to mess up her fur.

Have you noticed that cats just stare at you? You can bet you’re doing something wrong. How dare you focus on that computer or book? Need your computer? Not yours! It’s a warm sleeping spot but also, that darn thing commands a lot of your attention. Kitty just wants to share!

We don’t need no stinkin’ cat toys! Spiders and crickets provide pouncing opportunities, choosing to eat the bug is completely irrelevant. Bored kitty? Try some catnip. How about your kid’s dolls or stuffed animals? These are great for companionship, snuggling, and grooming if kitty feels so inclined. Have you ever seen a cat grooming a Barbie doll? It happens.

Other pets are frequently used for merriment. Ambushing a dog is always enjoyable as is intimidating the fish. It’s kind of funny to watch your cat’s head swing back and forth like a spectator at a tennis match. Shredding houseplants is always amusing as is killing an occasional mouse. Leaving mouse remains under the kitchen table is definitely a hoot, especially when a pet parent sticks their feet in the mess after sitting down to dinner.

Why does kitty treadmill on the windowpanes? Why does kitty slink along the baseboards after a ceiling fan is installed? Why does your cat visit you in the shower every day? The best part of being owned by a cat is that these critters don’t come with a behavioral user manual. Pet parents are just along for the enjoyable ride.