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Cat Behavior
Cats communicate in sounds, postures and habits that are easy to misread. These guides explain what is normal, what each behavior means and when it is worth paying attention, grouped by topic so you can start with the broadest answer and follow the details.
How cats show attachment, why they follow, stare and bump heads, and what the science says about feline love.
Cats have a reputation for being aloof, but the research on attachment, oxytocin, and brain structure tells a different story. Here is what the science actually says about whether cats feel love, and how they show it.
Cats headbutt - or 'bunt' - to mark you with their scent glands and show trust. It is a sign of affection, not aggression. Here is what the research says, plus how to tell it apart from head pressing.
The comfort behaviors cats are famous for: making biscuits, sleeping on you, napping all day and dreaming.
Cats knead - or 'make biscuits' - because it is an instinct from kittenhood that signals comfort and contentment. Here is what the behavior research says about why adult cats still do it.
Kneading starts as a nursing instinct and sticks around for life. Here is what the research says about why your cat makes biscuits on blankets, and when the behavior needs a second look.
What your cat is saying with sounds, purrs and posture, and how to tell when a cat is happy.
Cats do not meow at each other. They meow at us. Here is what ten thousand years of domestication, modern research, and a lot of late-night listening actually tell us about the most misunderstood sound in the animal kingdom.
Adult cats barely meow at each other. The meow is aimed at people, which means a chatty cat is talking to you. Here is what they might be saying, and when all that noise means a vet visit.
Toys, zoomies, biting and introducing cats to each other: channeling energy and keeping the peace.
Cats are born hunters, and everything they choose to play with is connected to ten million years of predatory instinct. Here is what the research says about what cats actually want in a toy, and how to use play to keep them happy and healthy.
Your cat goes from dead asleep to full sprint in half a second. It looks like they have lost their mind. Here is what is actually happening in your cat's brain and body when the zoomies hit, and how to tell when it is normal and when it is not.
Breeds, water-hating habits and the best books for cat lovers who want to know more.
Ask five different cat registries how many cat breeds exist and you will get five different answers, ranging from 40 to over 70. Here is why the numbers disagree, how breeds get recognized, and what it all means for your cat.
Most cats dislike water because their fur loses insulation when wet, and they evolved in dry climates. But some breeds actually love it. Here is what the research says about cats and water.