Why does a cat attack human's ankles?
Kitten play always involves mock battles, with
surprise attacks, pounces, and leaps. The kitty is basically trying to play, as he
would with another cat. Direct him to less painful game play -
Why are some people allergic to cats?
It's not the cat's fur that causes allergies.
It's a protein (FEL D1) in the cat's saliva. When a cat grooms itself, it deposits
this protein on its fur (and the protein then may be transferred to upholstery and
carpets). Some cats have less (or more) of this protein. Though there is no way to
predict which cat in a litter, if any, will be less hypoallergenic, though females
seem to be the lesser hypoallergenic. Bathing a cat reduces the amount of protein
in the cat's fur, so the human's physical reaction is lessened. I have also been
told that putting a few drops of vinegar in the cat's water bowl helps to minimize
the effects of the protein
Why does your cat turn his/her back on you after a scolding, or if you've been gone
for a while?
Typically, a person's body language when reprimanding a pet includes
staring or other overtly "aggressive" behaviour. The cat usually responds in a submissive
fashion. In a sense, it is telling you he has surrendered to you, as a fellow cat,
and is discouraging attack. (By the way, you will get better results from a cat if
you enforce his positive behaviour instead of reprimanding any negative behaviour).
Why does your cat bring you dead or dying creatures?
There are at least three differing
theories on this behaviour:
Your cat is bringing you a present, in appreciation for
you feeding it or as a sign of affection.
Your cat realizes you are a totally incompetent
mouser and is trying to educate you.
The cat is bringing her prey home to where it
is safe, where she usually eats.
Why does a cat play with its prey?
Cats are attracted by movement, so if a stalked
prey keeps moving, the cat's desire to attack continues to be stimulated. If the
cat gets very excited over the stalking/killing, he may continue to play with the
prey after it is dead.
Why do some cats put their toys in their water or food dish?
Cats look on their food
area as part of their territory, and that particular area of their territory usually
doesn't change from day to day -
Why does your cat take a small bite on your arm or cheek and hold on for a few seconds?
Some cats, when they are very happy and feeling extremely affectionate toward the
Big Unfurry Cat, will gently take a piece of human skin between their teeth and hold
it for a few seconds. Think of it as the feline equivalent of kissing.
Why do cats roll over on their backs?
Cats roll over on their backs for a variety
of reasons: if your cat flops down in front of you and rolls over on his back for
a tummy scratch, it's a sign of his complete trust in you that you won't ever hurt
him. Other times, he wants to play. If the cat is female and in heat, it's a form
of foreplay.
Why does a cat lick photographs or plastic bags?
It has been speculated that they
are tasting the slight "odour" that emanates from these products. They may also enjoy
the texture of the items on their tongue.
Why do some cats go crazy over catnip, but others ignore it?
The response to catnip
is the result of a gene in the cat; if the cat doesn't have the gene, it cannot physically
react to catnip. Some cats will react to catnip by rolling around on the floor in
delight, others will just quickly eat it up and wander off, while others will ignore
it completely.
Why does a cat sometimes "sneer" when smelling something?
When a cat curls back its
upper lip and looks like it's sneering, it has just discovered an interesting, usually
intense odour and is smelling it more deeply. Called "flehming, it is drawing the
odours into an organ (Jacobson's organ), in the roof of its mouth.
Why do cats sometimes scratch at windows?
It may be that they are verifying that
there is actually a barrier between them and whatever they see outside.