Why Does My Cat Do That ?!
Why Does My Cat Lick Me?
Why Does My Cat Lick and Then Bite Me?
Why Does My Cat Lick and Then Bite Me?
Cats have a huge social repertoire, which includes grooming (aka licking) other cats. But this behavior doesn't always apply solely to other felines. It is not unusual to see grooming behavior directed towards humans in the home. Your cat may see him/herself as your caretaker. This self-appointed role may include keeping up your hygiene! Grooming (licking) is also a bonding activity between cats. Your cat may be also bonding with you.
Why Does My Cat Lick and Then Bite Me?
Why Does My Cat Lick and Then Bite Me?
Why Does My Cat Lick and Then Bite Me?
What does it mean when your cat licks your hand several times and then suddenly bites you? If your cat is a kitten, this is normal play-biting behavior. If your cat is an adult, they may be trying to solicit play. Cats can develop this repertoire with their humans (or any species). This is espically true if there are no other cats in the home. You can reciprocate the behavior by petting or brushing your cat and this can promote a closer bond between you.
Yowling with Cat Toy in Mouth
Why Does My Cat Lick and Then Bite Me?
Staring at the Wall for No Apparent Reason
Carrying a cat toy in their mouth while meowing or yowling is a very common, instinctual cat behavior. This behavior can happen any time of the day, but you may notice it more in the evenings. Many cat owners are perplexed as to why their cats behave this way and often believe their cat is "mothering" the cat toy like a baby, but this couldn't be further from the truth! Instead, your cat carrying their "prey" in their mouth while vocalizing means your cat is in full prey mode. Yowling in the evening while carrying no toy is a variation on this behavior.
Staring at the Wall for No Apparent Reason
Running Out of the Litter Box at Full Speed
Staring at the Wall for No Apparent Reason
Witnessing a cat staring at a wall for an inordinate amount of time for what appears to be no logical reason can be both intriguing and worrisome for cat owners. Your cat is seeing, hearing, or smelling something that has caught their interest and may have activated their prey drive. Cats really do have a bionic sense of hearing and smelling. A shadow or a light reflection shimmering on the wall, a bug or dark spot that looks like a bug, or a mouse inside your wall are common reasons for the behavior. All the feel-good brain chemicals start flowing, and it's one of the best feelings a cat can experience.
Running Out of the Litter Box at Full Speed
Running Out of the Litter Box at Full Speed
Running Out of the Litter Box at Full Speed
There can be several reasons for a cat running out of the litter box at full speed as though being chased by an imaginary dragon, but it's usually nothing to worry about. If your litter box is hidden in a corner or in a dark basement, your cat's fleeing behavior may be about safety and to literally get out of the area fast to ensure survival. Becoming playful, digging around in the litter substrate can activate their play behaviors, causing them to zoom out of their litter box. Another reason for this behavior may be due to a dirty litter box, if the box needs changing or scooped this can cause the "Porta-Potty" effect (aka get out as fast as you can).
Unexplained Meowing in the Evenings
Running Out of the Litter Box at Full Speed
Running Out of the Litter Box at Full Speed
Does your cat ever sit at the top of the stairs late at night vocalizing with a trance-like look in their eyes? Maybe they pace from room to room in the evenings, meowing for no apparent reason. Many cat owners are mystified by this behavior. Again, you have their prey drive to thank for this one. Cats are crepuscular, meaning they are instinctively more active hunting during the twilight hours. Know that your cat is thriving in their environment when you see a natural behavior like this surface. Don't worry if your cat doesn't meow in the evenings, but do provide various toys, cat tunnels, even an empty box and play with your cat. Avoid monotony. Your cat's brain is designed to live in an environment that provides varied "terrain" and "prey".
Placing Cat Toys in Food or Water Bowls
Placing Cat Toys in Food or Water Bowls
Placing Cat Toys in Food or Water Bowls
Placing cat toys in their water or food bowl is a very instinctual behavior in cats. Cats will often immobilize their "kill" so that it will not escape. Next time your see a stuffed toy mouse in the water bowl, don't be alarmed. Depositing a crinkle ball toy in their food bowl can also mean a cat's doing what's logical to him - taking the "food" to the food area.