We all know that cats do weird things. And when we say “weird” we do not mean that in a bad way whatsoever. As a matter of fact, it’s these weird behaviors that make us love them even more. Do you ever think that your cat does weird things that no other cat does? While that might be entirely true, there are a handful of equally weird behaviors across the board.
But hey, just more the reason to love them and all their oddities, right? After all, their unpredictable nature keeps us guessing and always watching with intrigue and curiosity.
Why Does My Cat Put Her Butt In My Face?
You know the deal, you’re relaxing on the couch, binging DVR shows or Netflix. Suddenly your cat jumps up to sit with you, hinting that it’s time for you to stroke their fur, only for them to turn around and put their bum right in your face. Why do they feel the need to flash you their backside, you might wonder? Well, as it turns out, cats do this because they trust you and do not see you as a threat.
According to cat expert Amy Shojai, cats’ butt presentations are, in reality, a complimentary show of love – likening it to “a human’s enthusiastic hug or a kiss on each cheek in greeting.”
Remember, cats are predatory animals that do not like to show signs of weakness or vulnerability. When your cat’s back is turned and she’s not looking directly at you, she has surrendered full trust to you. I mean, I don’t put my butt in someone’s face when I trust them, but I am also not a cat so just think of it in the eyes and mind of your feline friend.
Another more scientific reasoning behind why your cat feels the need to flash you their arse is because:
“She is doing what is natural to her and allowing you to gain information about her. Because of her anatomy and her ability to learn from olfactory (scent based) clues, she is very comfortable with presenting her rear to you and assumes that you are comfortable too.”
Your cat has a lot of sensitive nerve endings near the base of their tail on their back, and when you scratch this area it releases happy endorphins in their minds.
Some cats are highly sensitive in this area and this region can cause them to make interesting cat sounds should you pet them there…
Why Does My Cat Make That Funny “Smell Face”?
Has your cat ever smelled your foot and then suddenly made this strange face with their mouth partially open, as if they’re breathing out of their mouth and not their nose? Cats are not the only mammals that make this face, actually known as the “Flehmen response”. So what exactly causes this response?
Your cat has something called a Jacobson’s organ, or vomeronasal organ, located in the roof of the mouth behind the front teeth. When your cat makes this strange face, it is because he has smelled something interesting and is drawing the scent into the Jacobson’s organ to get a better smell. The tongue traps the scent and transfers it to the vomeronasal organ in the roof of the mouth for better analysis.
The Flehmen responses has been seen in both predatory and non-predatory species of animals, including but not limited to: elephants, horses, tigers, giraffes, goats and giant pandas.
Why Does My Cat Follow Me To The Bathroom?
Do you keep an open door bathroom policy with your cat? If you don’t, I’m sure you’ve seen those curious little paws swatting under the door as if to say, “um, what gives?!”
Photo: Property of Cole and Marmalade; Jugg and Zig Zag
Cats are hunters, whether their landscape is simply the inside of your home or a sprawling yard. With that being said, you might not be their prey, but they like to see what others are doing at all times. What if you close the door and put a barrier between you and them? This is only going to trigger their cat curiosities even more. What secret things are happening behind this closed door? I must know…your cat might be wondering while swatting those paws and meowing loudly.
Another reason they’ve suddenly grown clingy? Your cat might be feeling vulnerable in your absence if they know you are there but they cannot see you.
Why Does My Cat Sleep On My Head?
We know that cats sometimes like to “groom” or lick their owners, but have you ever had a cat that likes to sleep directly on your head? My Maine Coon mix, Mr. Purple, takes great pride and plopping himself like a cat crown on my head when I lay in bed, and while that giant floof of orange mane is certainly nice and cozy, I’ve never exactly understood why of all parts would he choose to rest upon my head for a cat nap.
Well, it seems that cats do this weird behavior for a few reasons. The first reason being that your head is warm and cats like being warm when they sleep. Although other parts of your body are warm, the heat from your body usually escapes from you head…and your cat knows it!
Fun cat fact: A cat’s average body temperature is 102 degrees Fahrenheit and they need to maintain heat for proper basal metabolism, so seeking an external heat source allows the body to not have to work as hard to stay warm while sleeping. (And you’re gonna be warm with 10 lbs of cat hair draped over your skull.)
Another speculated theory behind this is that cats do not like to be disrupted when they are sleeping, and your head is less likely to move while they are sleeping…unlike your legs or arms. So basically your cat is a tiny genius just looking to get optimal sleep, simple human!
Why Does My Cat Insist On Squeezing Into Tiny Spaces?
We have all come to understand the “if I fits, I sits” cat logic. Cats are notorious for cramming and stuffing their fluffy bodies into bowls, boxes, and the like. Maru the cat, is an unfolded Scottish Fold cat living in Japan. He is known all over the world for his tiny box and spaces infatuation, which you can see below…
So, why does Maru and so many other cats feel the need to flex their “if I fits, I sits” muscle? The speculated hypothesis behind this is that these tiny spaces offer your cat a sense of cozy security:
If they were out in the wild, they would not want to be unprotected in an open area because this would make them more susceptible to predators. Felines also have a natural instinct to ambush. By hiding in small tiny spaces they are able to watch and observe their surroundings from a distance.
Our cats are the center of our universe, and we wouldn’t want to change any of these quirky behaviors even if we could. What weird cat behaviors do your cats display? Leave us a comment and share!
REMEMBER: ADOPT, DON’T SHOP; FOSTERING SAVES LIVES & SPAY AND NEUTER!
Related Story: Hilarious Insights Into Foster Cat & Kittens Silly Faces, Goofy Antics & Deep Thoughts, Shared By Their Human Servants
Related Video: What If You Turned Into a Cat?!
Sometimes I take a bath, and my cat Zouzou, will sit on the side of the bath tub. From what I understand felines are afraid of water.
Is it because she’s curious of the water or does she want to get in the tub?
Modi, your articles are always interesting! I loved this one! My cats do all these crazy things.
My Luna gets very distressed when I go to get the mail from the letter box, or pretty much do anything outside the house, other than actually leaving, she seems to understand that, but can’t stand me being outside unless she’s in my arms. It’s about 10 metres from the front door, with a full view from the door to the letterbox, but she howls the house down. And it’s that deep throat howling like her life is being threatened! And she does it at 10 decibels! ? a couple of times I’ve had neighbours rush over thinking she’s been run over or something. They laugh themselves silly when I point out that it’s just my girl anticipating bills in the letterbox, which might eat into her cat treats fund! ?
Do you have any theories on what causes the “revolving door” shenanigans? I have a feral cat, who is becoming more and more comfortable in my house, but he likes to play this game where he acts frantic to get outside, then two minutes later, is sitting on the step by the sliding glass door, looking pitiful, to be let back in. He will come in, and sometimes, wants right back out again within minutes. Then he sits on the step, looking pitiful.
I have a cat that will randomly in the middle of the night sit on my husbands chest and suckle on his ears purring and making bread and the sort. Can u explain that??
I think it is the same reason toddlers or small children do it, they want it both ways and they want your attention too, They want it all! $5 says they don’t do this if they have a pet door. I know mine play this game w/me but they don’t do it w/the pet door.
I use to work at night and my cats use to waite for me by the door in the morning, and when I use to come home in the morning they will jump on me to give kisses and go to sleep with me ! They were funny! They are both gone now, the Rainbow bridge must be beautiful with all the animals!
The Mary cat video gave me the best laugh of today. Thanks
My cat, Meowie likes to rub head on MY forehead at around 7am. He is 15 acts like 5. Very very vocal. His meow sounds like a baby crying…lives to eat ANYTHING. Very playful too. He keeps us entertained. Love him so much
my cat Princess Boo is like a toddler. she follows me everywhere. when i pull up in the drive way and open my car door she jumps inside the car with me and instantly starts talking to me. she is very smart and always sleeps snuggled up with me with her head on a pillow and under the covers. i love her.
My cat Koda always meows and rubs my legs everytime I’m on the phone. When I’m finished talking on the phone he walks away. My crazy Koda! Wouldn’t change for the world.
I have a 10 month old Maine coon mix who likes to slide. He will hang off the edge of a chair or sofa and slide down to the floor but his seemingly favorite is to slide over my head while I’m sleeping. I know it’s a game to him because he will do it several times in a row. I’ve never had a cat with so many quirks as this one, and I wouldn’t trade him for the world!