Instinct & Normal Cat Behavior

Instinct and normal cat behavior and activities have intrigued people for centuries. Cats have a large range of behavioral patterns and a secret language of their own. Most behavioral patterns can be traced back to when the cat was wild. Below are just a few of the most common behavioral patterns.

Purring

Ever wondered why cats purr? According to Bruce Fogle, a veterinarian with a keen interest in cat behavior and author of The Cat's Mind, the original function of purring was to enable a kitten to tell his mother that "all is well." This often occurs during nursing. A kitten cannot meow and nurse at the same time, but it can purr and nurse without any problem. The mother often purrs back, reassuring the kitten.

Older cats may purr when they play or approach other cats, signaling they are friendly and want to come closer. Cats also purr when they are contented, such as when they are petted, again giving the signal "all is well."

Strangely enough, cats can also purr when they are distressed. Sick and injured cats, and those in veterinary offices often purr. It is thought that this is the cat's way of reassuring and calming itself.

A little known fact is that friendly cats that are in pain will purr when approached by people; this suggests that cats purr to show that they are friendly and approachable, ready to be stroked or helped.

When a cat is purring, it is almost impossible to hear the cat's heart or lungs very well. Many cats will stop purring if they see running water from a faucet/tap. You may see your veterinarian turning on the faucet/tap in the examination room in an attempt to get your cat to stop purring so your cat can get a better examination.

• The Felid Purr: A healing mechanism? - This speculative article looks into why cats purr and whether purring has any healing properties.

Cat behavior? (Answers: 11) (Comments: 0)

I have a rescued kitty. He's six months old and is getting fixed in the next week or two. This cat is the sweetest thing to me and my little boy, and most of the time to my husband. When my husband sleeps the cat cuddles up to him and most of the time will let my husband pet and love on him, but other times he stractchs and bites. This weekend he latched on and had to be pried off my husband's leg. I have two cats (both rescues) the other cat is female and fixed and does do this. I've never had a cat do this. What could be causing behavior??? Husband is going to get the bite looked at today at the doctor. Cat is going to the vet and getting checked out and fixed. This cat literally had to be pried off my husbands leg, drew blood. His teeth were totally in the calf of the leg He was letting the cat down. The kitten was not socialized when I got him (at about 12-16 weeks) Only does this to my husband, bo one else Husband's leg is healing well. Had slight infection but gone now. I talked to a cat rescue who deals with all types of cat problems and they told me that it sounded like a territorial thing. The cat sees me as his. Please keep answering if you have any other ideas to why though or how to break the cat of this.

What is the cause of this cat behavior and how may I correct it? (Answers: 10) (Comments: 0)

My 20 month old cat has started some new behaviors. Whenever he can tell that you're about to go out the door he gets in front of you and makes it almost impossible for you to get out without him bolting out, it's even worse when you're coming home and trying to get inside. He's scratch at the door and cry really loud at it as well, wanting to get out. ( He normally isn't a talker or cryer.) He used to like windows but now he's obsessed with ALWAYS sitting and wathcing. This is all NEW behavior within the last couple of weeks, what could be causing it and how may I correct it? He's an INDOOR only cat and we live in an apartment complex and need to keep it that way. I don't understand where his urge is coming from, we have two other cats and they've never and still are not demonstrating behavior like this. He does not miss us because he does it while we're home and he is neutured.

Can you assist me with a specific cat behavior and a modification? (Answers: 6) (Comments: 0)

My two year old rescued cat (female) nervous but gentle kisses alot and very often after picks up my skin(does not break it) is there any behavior modification not lick as much and then bite. She is a very hyper bit nerotic but very lovable