Cats Are Weird: The Surprisingly Sensible Reasons Behind Their Strangest Behaviour
, by Majella Gee, 89 min reading time
Cats are weird. They knock things off tables, ambush our ankles, race through the house at ridiculous hours and sleep in places that make absolutely no sense. But behind much of this bizarre behaviour is instinct, communication, curiosity—or simply a cat who has learned exactly how to get your attention. Let’s take a look at the surprisingly sensible reasons behind some of the strange things cats do.
Cats Are Weird. There, I Said It.
I've had cats for most of my life, and I still find myself looking at them sometimes and wondering, what the hell are you doing?
Cats can be beautiful, graceful and remarkably dignified creatures. They can also tear through the house in the middle of the night, squeeze themselves into boxes that are clearly too small, attack your ankles as you walk past and knock something off the table before staring at you as though you're the one behaving strangely.
My current cat, Hank, provides plenty of opportunities to ponder the workings of the feline mind.
Hank is a rescue cat who came to me at around four months old. He's almost three now: affectionate, suspicious, entertaining and occasionally slightly unhinged. He's particularly attached to me and has very little interest in most other humans. When visitors arrive, he usually disappears, to the point where some friends have joked that they're not entirely convinced I really have a cat.
With me, however, he's a stalker. He'll ambush me from the back of the couch, sprawl across my papers while I'm writing, sit on my music when I'm practising my singing and wage war on the printer whenever a page emerges. Then, sometime between four and five in the morning, this same adorable little psychopath will crawl into bed, curl up under my chin and purr happily until breakfast time.
That's cats for you.
But much of the behaviour we consider weird, naughty or downright ridiculous isn't particularly strange from a cat's point of view. Cats are hunters, climbers, stalkers and explorers. They experience the world through senses very different from ours, communicate in ways we don't always recognise and retain instincts that don't disappear simply because they live indoors and sleep on our beds.
They also learn remarkably quickly what gets a reaction from us.
So we're going to have some fun with the strange, hilarious and occasionally exasperating things cats do—and look at what might actually be happening behind them. Why do they knock things onto the floor, ambush our ankles, race around the house at 2 am or choose the cardboard box instead of the expensive bed that came in it?
Because cats may be weird.
But there's usually a reason.
First Things First: Your Cat Isn't a Small Human
It's very easy to give human motives to our cats. The cat knocked my glass over because he's being spiteful. She scratched the new lounge because she knows she's not allowed to. He's ignoring me because he's sulking. She weed on the bathmat because she's angry with me.
And sometimes the timing is so perfect that it's difficult not to take it personally.
But cats aren't sitting around plotting revenge because dinner was ten minutes late. Behaviour has a function, even when that function isn't immediately obvious to us. A cat may be exploring, playing, hunting, scent-marking, seeking attention, relieving stress or looking for somewhere it feels secure. It may simply have discovered that doing a particular thing produces an interesting result.
That's an important distinction, because if we label a behaviour “naughty”, our first thought tends to be how do I stop it? Often, a better place to start is what is my cat getting from doing it?
Once we understand that, some of the apparent lunacy starts to make surprisingly good sense.
And occasionally, we may discover that we've been encouraging it without even realising.
Why Does My Cat Knock Things Onto the Floor?
Pens. Keys. Bottle tops. Jewellery. A glass of water you really should have known better than to leave near the edge.
The cat notices the object. A paw reaches out and gives it a tentative tap. It moves. Another nudge follows. Eventually it reaches the edge and disappears.
The cat peers over after it.
Experiment complete.
It can look extraordinarily deliberate because, quite often, it is. What we get wrong is assuming the cat's motive must be to annoy us.
Cats use their paws to investigate the world, and small objects that roll, wobble or move can trigger the same curiosity involved in play and hunting. There's also simple cause and effect: the cat touches something, and something happens. It moves, makes a noise, falls or bounces.
Then there's the human response. If touching that glass makes you immediately look up, say the cat's name and rush across the room, the experiment has produced an even more interesting result.
The human moved.
Cats are very capable of learning which behaviours get a response. So before deciding your cat is being naughty, consider whether it's bored, looking for interaction or has simply discovered something that's enormous fun to push around.
And, perhaps most importantly, move the glass.
Your cat has already demonstrated what gravity does. There's really no need to repeat the experiment.
Why Does My Cat Stalk and Ambush Me?
You're walking innocently through your own home when a paw suddenly appears from behind the couch. Or perhaps you've already noticed the warning signs: wide eyes, body low, and that unmistakable look that tells you you've just become considerably more interesting than you were thirty seconds ago.
Hank is particularly good at this. He'll get a wild look in his eyes, creep towards me and suddenly lunge. If I move, he'll follow and continue stalking, or launch himself at the back of the couch and take a swipe as I walk past.
He's a stalker.
Fortunately, there's a perfectly sensible feline explanation for my adorable little psychopath's behaviour.
There's a Hunter Living in Your House
However pampered our cats may be, they're still predators. Hunting involves watching, stalking, creeping, chasing, pouncing, grabbing and biting—and movement can be a powerful trigger. Unfortunately, feet passing the couch, ankles disappearing around a doorway and hands moving beneath blankets can make very tempting targets.
Young cats can be particularly enthusiastic ambushers, but plenty of adults continue stalking and pouncing throughout their lives. From our perspective, we've just been mugged on the way to the kitchen. From the cat's perspective, it was a magnificent ambush.
Give the Hunter Something Better to Hunt
Interactive play gives cats an appropriate outlet for those instincts. Wand or fishing-rod-style toys are particularly useful because they can behave like prey: disappearing behind furniture, pausing, darting away and changing direction. And let the cat catch the toy occasionally—a hunting game that's impossible to win isn't much of a hunting experience.
Hands and feet are best kept out of the game. Wrestling with a tiny kitten using your fingers may seem funny, but it's considerably less charming when the same cat has adult teeth and claws and still believes human hands are approved prey.
And remember that not every bite or swipe is play. If a normally tolerant cat suddenly starts attacking when approached or touched, particularly without its usual playful pattern, pain, fear or stress may be involved.
With Hank, I know the difference between the cat who wants to be left alone and the slightly wild-eyed creature who's decided that stalking Mum is today's entertainment.
For that one, the answer isn't punishment. It's giving the hunter something better to hunt.
Preferably something that isn't attached to my leg.
Why Does My Cat Suddenly Race Around the House Like a Lunatic?
Everything is quiet. You're relaxing, watching television or perhaps you've already gone to bed.
Then it begins.
A cat rockets through the hallway, ricochets off the furniture, tears into another room, changes direction for no apparent reason and comes flying back again.
Welcome to the zoomies.
Hank is particularly fond of the night-time version. His cat tower sits beside the lounge-room window, and I've been woken by an almighty thud when he's hit it at speed during one of his nocturnal adventures. My grandson also lives with us, so there are usually toys around. Quite often I'll get up in the morning to find them scattered across the lounge-room floor.
Clearly, Hank has had a busy night.
So What Are the Zoomies?
These sudden explosions of activity are sometimes called FRAPs—Frenetic Random Activity Periods. The name sounds wonderfully scientific for something that essentially looks as though your cat has temporarily lost its mind.
Usually, it's perfectly normal. Cats naturally alternate between rest and shorter bursts of activity, and they're often particularly active around dawn and dusk. After sleeping for hours, there may simply be energy to burn. Kittens and young cats are enthusiastic zoomers, but adulthood doesn't necessarily bring dignity.
Some cats also race around after using the litter tray—the famous post-poo zoom. There are several proposed explanations, including simple relief, but we don't really know exactly why some cats do it.
If it's your cat's usual victory lap and everything else is normal, it's probably just another feline quirk. But if sudden racing from the tray is accompanied by straining, crying, repeated attempts to urinate or obvious discomfort, that's different and needs veterinary attention.
What About the Midnight Grand Prix?
If the nightly zoomies are keeping everyone awake, more activity during the day and a good interactive play session in the evening may help. Climbing, scratching, tunnels, puzzle feeders and opportunities to stalk, chase and catch toys can all give an indoor cat appropriate outlets for its energy.
But we don't necessarily need to eliminate the zoomies.
Sometimes a cat racing through the house is simply a cat having a wonderful time.
Move the breakables, protect your toes and let the lunatic run.
Why Does My Cat Sit on Whatever I'm Trying to Use?
Cats have an extraordinary ability to locate the single most inconvenient place in a room and decide that's exactly where they need to be.
You can provide an entire bed, a comfortable chair, a cat tower, a patch of warm sunshine—even an expensive cat bed purchased specifically for them.
None of these can compete with the piece of paper you're currently trying to read.
I encounter this regularly with Hank. If I'm writing, he'll sprawl across my papers. If I'm practising my singing, the music folder I'm trying to read becomes the best seat in the house. More recently, he's discovered my laptop keyboard.
Very helpful.
You're Paying Attention to It, So It Must Be Important
Sometimes the explanation is simple: your attention is there. You're looking at the laptop, turning the pages or concentrating on paperwork instead of the cat. For a social cat seeking interaction, inserting itself directly between you and whatever has your attention can be extremely effective.
And it works.
A cat lying quietly nearby may get no response. A cat that walks across your keyboard and adds kkkkkkkkkkkkkk to your document gets your immediate attention.
Warmth and scent can add to the attraction. Laptops are warm, clothing and papers carry familiar smells, and anything beside you has the added advantage of being close to someone your cat feels safe with.
The same applies to clean washing. You've washed it, dried it, folded it beautifully and placed it in a neat pile.
The cat sees a freshly constructed bed.
Once they've slept on it, of course, they've added the finishing touch.
Cat hair.
Clearly, the outfit wasn't finished.
If you'd prefer your cat not to occupy your keyboard or paperwork, try providing an appealing alternative beside you—a box, folded blanket, chair or small bed. The important part may not be the bed.
It may be you.
Although with Hank, I suspect there's another possibility. If Mum is concentrating on something important, lying directly on top of it guarantees that the situation will be corrected immediately.
Why Does My Cat Purr and Then Bite Me?
There you are, sitting peacefully with a cat beside you. They're purring, you're stroking them, everyone appears perfectly happy.
Then—bite.
Hank has his own version. He'll sometimes sit beside me purring, lean over and slowly take hold of my arm with his teeth. Over time, I've learnt that with him it can be part of asking for attention—or occasionally opening negotiations about dinner.
But a purring cat that bites isn't necessarily sending contradictory messages.
Purring Doesn't Always Mean “I'm Happy”
We tend to think of purring as the ultimate sign of feline contentment, and very often it is. But cats also purr in other situations, including when they're stressed, frightened, uncomfortable or in pain. So rather than treating a purr as a feline happiness meter, look at the whole cat and what's happening around it.
When “That's Lovely” Becomes “That's Enough”
Some cats enjoy being stroked until suddenly they've had enough. There are often subtle warnings: a twitching tail, ears turning sideways or backwards, rippling skin, a tense body or the cat turning its head towards your hand.
The difficulty is that the cat may have been enjoying the attention perfectly happily—right up until it wasn't.
Learning your own cat's tolerance can prevent a lot of misunderstandings. One may happily accept a prolonged cuddle while another prefers a few strokes around the cheeks and chin before declaring the interaction officially over.
Sometimes affection can also tip into play, with grabbing, biting and even those powerful back legs joining in with the famous bunny kick—an extremely cute name for something that can leave an impressive collection of scratches.
And, as always, a sudden change matters. If a cat that has always enjoyed being touched begins biting when you stroke a particular area, pain or discomfort could be involved.
So if your cat purrs and then bites, don't automatically assume you've been betrayed by an ungrateful little monster. They may simply be saying, “That's enough,” “I want to play,” or “Pay attention to me.”
Or, in Hank's case occasionally, “Excuse me. I believe the kitchen is in that direction.”
Why Does My Cat Sleep in the Weirdest Places?
You buy your cat a beautiful bed. Soft, padded, perfectly sized and placed somewhere warm and comfortable.
Your cat sleeps in the cardboard box it came in.
Or the laundry basket. The bathroom sink. A shopping bag. On top of the wardrobe. Behind the curtains. Halfway off the couch in a position that looks anatomically impossible.
Cats have very definite ideas about where they feel comfortable, and those ideas don't always match ours.
Small Spaces Can Feel Safe
Cats often seek out enclosed spaces because they offer shelter and security. A box provides walls around the body and fewer directions from which something can approach. It can also be warm and wonderfully private.
Then there are elevated sleeping spots. Cats are excellent climbers, and a high perch gives them a good view of what's happening while keeping them out of the way of activity below.
Temperature matters too. That's why cats seek out sunny windowsills, warm laundry, laptops and other cosy spots—and sometimes choose cool surfaces such as tiles, sinks or baths when the weather is hot.
Comfortable is a Matter of Opinion
What looks horribly uncomfortable to us may be perfectly acceptable to a cat. Their flexible bodies allow them to curl, twist and drape themselves into positions that would send most of us straight to a physiotherapist.
And sometimes the chosen sleeping place seems to make no sense at all.
That's fine. Cats are individuals, and if the location is safe, there's usually no reason to interfere.
It is worth paying attention, though, if your cat suddenly starts hiding or sleeping somewhere very different from its usual places, particularly if there are other changes in appetite, activity or behaviour. Hiding can sometimes be a sign that a cat is frightened, stressed or unwell.
Otherwise, accept that the expensive cat bed may remain untouched while the battered cardboard box becomes prime real estate.
You didn't waste your money.
You bought your cat a box and it came with a free bed.
Why Does My Cat Show Me Its Belly—and Then Attack Me When I Touch It?
There it is: the ultimate trap.
Your cat rolls onto its back, stretches out luxuriously and exposes that gloriously fluffy belly. Surely this is an invitation.
You reach in.
Mistake.
Four paws suddenly wrap around your hand, claws appear, teeth become involved and those back legs may start kicking.
But your cat wasn't necessarily being deceptive.
Showing the Belly Is Often About Trust
The belly is one of a cat's most vulnerable areas, so exposing it can be a sign that your cat feels safe and relaxed around you. What it doesn't automatically mean is “Please rub this.”
Some cats genuinely enjoy belly rubs. Others would rather you admire the belly from a respectful distance.
Touching such a vulnerable and sensitive area can quickly trigger a defensive response, particularly if the cat feels restrained or overstimulated. And once grabbing and bunny-kicking begin, your innocent attempt at affection can turn into something resembling hand-to-hand combat.
The trick is learning what your cat is actually telling you. A relaxed body, soft eyes and a comfortable stretch may simply mean, “I trust you enough to lie like this.” It isn't necessarily permission to touch.
If you know your cat loves a belly rub, by all means enjoy the privilege.
If you don't know?
Perhaps admire the fluff.
There are easier ways to find out how fast your cat's reflexes are.
Why Does My Cat Follow Me to the Bathroom?
There are few relationships in life quite as intimate as the one between a cat and a human who is no longer permitted to go to the toilet alone.
You close the bathroom door.
A paw appears underneath it.
Or there's scratching. Meowing. Perhaps a deeply offended cat waiting outside as though you've violated an important clause in the household agreement.
Leave the door open and the same cat may stroll in, sit down and supervise.
Privacy Is a Human Concept
Cats follow us around the house for all sorts of reasons. They may want company, attention or simply to know what we're doing. If your cat is strongly bonded to you, following you from room to room can be perfectly normal social behaviour.
Bathrooms also happen to be interesting places. There are unusual smells, running water, cool tiles, sinks to sit in and towels or bathmats to investigate. More importantly, you're in there—and for a few minutes, you're usually sitting still.
To a cat seeking attention, that's excellent news.
Closed doors can make the situation even more intriguing. Cats like having access to their territory, and suddenly being prevented from entering part of it—particularly when their human has disappeared behind the barrier—can be enough to inspire an immediate protest.
Of course, some cats don't care where you go and wouldn't dream of following you into the bathroom.
Others seem to consider toilet supervision an essential household responsibility.
So if your cat follows you in, stares at you from the doorway or sits at your feet while you're otherwise occupied, don't take it personally.
You're not necessarily being watched.
You're being supervised.
There is, evidently, a difference.
Why Does My Cat Stare at Something I Can't See?
You're sitting quietly when your cat suddenly freezes. Its eyes lock onto a spot on the wall. Or the ceiling. Or an empty corner of the room.
You look. Nothing.
The cat keeps staring. Still nothing.
This is usually the point where we start wondering whether the house is haunted. Fortunately, there's a much more likely explanation: your cat is experiencing a world that your human senses aren't picking up.
Your Cat Notices Things You Don't
Cats have excellent hearing and can detect much higher-frequency sounds than we can. They may hear a tiny insect moving, something rustling inside a wall, water travelling through pipes or noises coming from outside that haven't registered with us.
Their vision is different too. Cats are particularly good at detecting movement in lower light, so a tiny moth, shifting shadow or speck of movement that escapes our attention may be fascinating to them. And sometimes there really is something there. Anyone who has followed a cat's intense gaze only to eventually discover a microscopic insect on the ceiling will know the feeling.
Cats can also sit and stare while they're simply alert and processing what's happening around them. Not every fixed gaze means they've detected something mysterious.
So when your cat suddenly stares into an empty corner, there's probably no need to call a paranormal investigator.
Probably.
Although if Hank ever starts staring at an empty chair and following something around the room with his eyes, I reserve the right to reconsider.
Why Does My Cat Chatter at Birds? Welcome to Cat TV
A bird lands outside the window.
Your cat freezes. The body lowers, eyes widen and the tail may begin to twitch. Then comes that peculiar sound—the jaw starts moving rapidly and out comes a strange little ek-ek-ek-ek chatter.
For anyone hearing it for the first time, it can sound as though the cat has malfunctioned.
What Is the Chattering About?
Cats commonly chatter, chirp or make similar sounds when watching birds, insects or other potential prey they can't reach. Exactly why they do it isn't completely understood. It may be connected to excitement, frustration or the heightened arousal of seeing something that triggers the hunting instinct while being unable to pursue it.
Whatever is going through the cat's mind, the window can provide wonderful entertainment—which is why I call it Cat TV.
A secure window perch gives an indoor cat the opportunity to watch birds, insects, leaves moving in the breeze and the general comings and goings outside. The sights, sounds and movement provide valuable mental stimulation without the cat needing to roam outdoors or hunt wildlife.
And some cats take their viewing very seriously. They'll have favourite windows, favourite times of day and may appear at their chosen viewing platform as reliably as we sit down for a favourite television programme.
Of course, Cat TV isn't a substitute for interactive play, climbing, scratching and other forms of enrichment, but it's a simple way to make an indoor environment more interesting.
So if your cat is sitting at the window chattering furiously at a bird on the other side of the glass, there's usually no need to intervene.
The bird is safe, the cat is entertained, and today's episode of Cat TV is clearly a good one.
Why Does My Cat Knead Me Like a Lump of Dough?
You're sitting comfortably when your cat climbs onto your lap, settles down and begins rhythmically pushing one front paw into you, then the other.
Left. Right. Left. Right.
This is usually called kneading, although “making biscuits” is probably the more entertaining description. Unfortunately, when claws are involved, it can feel less like baking and more like acupuncture.
It Starts in Kittenhood
Kneading begins very early in life. Kittens press their paws against their mother's belly while nursing, helping to stimulate milk flow. Many cats carry the behaviour into adulthood, particularly when they're feeling relaxed and comfortable.
That's why kneading often appears alongside purring, settling down for a sleep or curling up on a favourite person or blanket. Some cats become so absorbed in the process that they knead for several minutes before finally collapsing into a satisfied heap.
Cats also have scent glands in their paws, so kneading may contribute to leaving their scent on a favourite resting place. And before settling, some cats knead or paw at bedding as though arranging it to their exact specifications.
If your cat kneads you, it's generally a good sign. They're comfortable enough to settle down and perform a behaviour associated with security and relaxation.
The only problem is those claws.
Rather than discouraging the behaviour, place a thick blanket between your lap and the enthusiastic baker, and keep claws appropriately trimmed if necessary.
Because being loved by a cat is wonderful.
Being tenderised by one is slightly less enjoyable.
And Why Does My Cat Suck on Wool?
Kneading sometimes comes with another behaviour that can seem even stranger: sucking, chewing or mouthing soft fabrics.
Some cats develop a particular fondness for wool, blankets, clothing or other soft materials. They may knead at the same time, purr contentedly and appear completely absorbed in what they're doing.
Another Behaviour with Kittenhood Connections
Like kneading, sucking is thought to have links to nursing behaviour. For some adult cats, sucking on soft material may be comforting or soothing, particularly when they're relaxed or settling down to sleep.
Some cats simply do it occasionally throughout their lives without it causing a problem. But there's an important difference between sucking fabric and actually eating it.
If a cat begins chewing off and swallowing wool, fabric, string or other non-food items, the behaviour can become dangerous. Swallowed material can cause an intestinal blockage, and persistent eating of non-food objects—known as pica—deserves veterinary attention.
Stress, boredom and other behavioural or medical factors can also contribute to repetitive chewing or sucking, so a behaviour that suddenly appears, becomes obsessive or involves swallowing material shouldn't simply be dismissed as another feline quirk.
For the cat who occasionally kneads and sucks a favourite blanket without damaging or eating it, though, it may simply be an old comfort behaviour that has followed them from kittenhood into adult life.
A little strange to watch, perhaps.
But after everything else cats do, sucking on a blanket barely makes the top ten.
Why Does My Cat Head-Bump Me?
You're sitting quietly when your cat walks over, lowers its head and gives you a firm little shove with its forehead. Sometimes it's gentle. Sometimes it's delivered with enough enthusiasm to make you wonder whether you've just been headbutted by a very small goat.
This behaviour is often called bunting, and it's generally a very friendly form of feline communication.
It's Affection—with a Little Scent Thrown In
Cats have scent glands around the face, including the cheeks and forehead. When they rub or bump their head against you, furniture or other familiar objects, they're leaving behind their scent.
Scent is enormously important to cats. Rubbing helps create a familiar-smelling environment and can be part of the way cats maintain social bonds. So when your cat head-bumps you and then rubs its cheeks along your face, hand or leg, you're being included in its familiar, safe world.
Head-bumping can also be a very effective way of requesting attention. Many cats quickly learn that a well-placed bump against a human hand results in exactly what they were hoping for: a scratch around the cheeks, chin or ears.
Of course, cats being cats, the amount of enthusiasm involved varies enormously. One may offer a delicate little forehead touch. Another will march over and practically ram its skull into your face.
Both can be affectionate.
One is simply more committed to the message.
And if your cat gives you a head-bump and then stands there expectantly, don't overthink it.
You have been summoned for patting duties.
Why Is My Cat So Weird About Water?
Cats are supposed to hate water.
At least, that's what we're told.
Then you meet the cat who plays with a dripping tap, paddles in the shower, dips a paw into the water bowl or becomes fascinated by the bath.
Hank has never been particularly interested in following the rule book. I have a large claw-foot bath with a bath caddy across it, and since he was a kitten he'll sit on the caddy while I'm in the bath and attack my toes through the water. Once the bath has drained, he'll jump in and paddle through whatever water is left. He'll also wander into the wet shower afterwards to investigate.
Not All Cats Hate Water
Many cats dislike being soaked or unexpectedly immersed, but that's very different from disliking water altogether. Individual cats can be fascinated by dripping, running or moving water, and some prefer interacting with it using a paw rather than simply lowering their face to drink.
I once had an ordinary domestic tabby who drank by dipping a paw into the bowl and licking the water from it. A friend had a cat who worked out how to press the button on a bottled-water dispenser. She came home several times to water all over the floor before discovering who was responsible.
Then I bought Hank a beautiful clear Perspex water fountain because I rarely saw him drinking from his bowl. It held about a litre and a half of water, and I thought the moving water might encourage him to drink.
Hank saw an interactive water-based hunting toy.
Because he could see the water moving inside the clear reservoir, he attacked it, pulled the top off and flooded the floor. I put it back together. He did it again. Eventually I caught him in the act, reset the fountain and gave him another chance.
A few days later, he did it again.
A litre and a half doesn't sound like much until it's spread across your floor. The fountain was retired.
Cats Can Be Fussy About What They Drink
Some cats have definite preferences about their water—its freshness, temperature, location or even its taste. Hank will drink the spring water I buy, but doesn't seem interested in our rainwater, even from the same bowl. Why? I have no idea. Hank isn't talking.
Over the years, I've also found that some reluctant drinkers seem happier with cooled boiled water rather than straight tap water. That doesn't mean tap water is unsuitable for cats; it's simply worth remembering that individual preferences can make a difference.
Cats eating wet food also obtain a substantial amount of water from their food, while cats eating mainly dry food generally need to drink more. Whatever their usual habits, a noticeable increase or decrease in drinking—particularly alongside changes in urination, appetite or behaviour—is worth paying attention to. Urinary problems in cats can become serious very quickly, so if you'd like to know the warning signs, I've covered them in more detail in Urinary Issues in Cats: What to Watch For and Why It Can Turn Serious Fast.
So no, cats don't necessarily hate water.
Some drink it. Some paddle in it. Some play with it.
And some dismantle the plumbing.
Why Does My Cat Bring Me Unwanted “Presents”?
You're walking through the house when you spot something on the floor that definitely wasn't there earlier.
Perhaps it's a cockroach. A moth. A Christmas beetle. A gecko that made the unfortunate decision to come inside. Or, if you're particularly unlucky, a mouse.
And standing nearby is your cat, looking rather pleased with the situation.
Thank you, darling. It's exactly what I wanted.
Why Bring It to Me?
Cats are hunters, and catching prey is part of their natural behavioural repertoire. But exactly why some cats bring their catches to their humans isn't completely clear. It's tempting to imagine that your cat is thoughtfully bringing you dinner because they've noticed you're hopeless at hunting, but that's probably giving the story a little more certainty than the science allows.
The home is a cat's safe territory, so bringing something back there may simply be a natural extension of hunting behaviour. In multi-cat or family environments, prey may also be carried to a familiar location before being eaten, played with or abandoned.
And not every “present” is something that was ever alive. Some cats proudly carry toys, socks or other treasures around the house and deposit them beside their humans. The object may be different, but carrying and relocating it can still tap into natural feline behaviour.
For indoor cats, interactive play gives them an opportunity to stalk, chase, pounce and catch without the victim being anything more unfortunate than a toy mouse. Cats with secure outdoor access—such as a catio, enclosed garden or supervised harness time—can enjoy the sights, smells and textures of the outdoors without being free to hunt wildlife.
So if your cat proudly drops an unwanted visitor at your feet, try not to assume they're being gruesome for the fun of it.
From the cat's point of view, they may have achieved something rather impressive.
From your point of view, you're now standing in the kitchen at midnight trying to work out whether the cockroach is actually dead.
Everybody has their own problems.
Why Does My Cat Scratch Around Its Food?
You've put down dinner. Your cat eats—or perhaps takes one sniff, decides you've failed spectacularly and walks away.
But first, they scratch at the floor around the bowl.
Some cats paw at the tiles, scrape at a placemat or make determined digging movements as though they're trying to bury their dinner beneath a kitchen floor that is clearly not cooperating.
They're Not Complaining About the Menu
This behaviour is often described as food covering or caching, and it may be linked to an instinctive tendency to conceal leftover food and its smell. In the wild, uneaten food can attract other animals, so covering or attempting to hide it can make sense.
Of course, your kitchen tiles present a slight technical difficulty.
Some cats do it after eating, while others start scratching around food they've decided not to eat. It doesn't necessarily mean they dislike the meal, although if your cat suddenly stops eating food it normally enjoys, that's worth paying attention to.
There's usually no need to stop the scratching unless it's becoming destructive. A washable mat beneath the bowls can protect the floor and make enthusiastic attempts at imaginary excavation easier to clean up.
And if your cat spends several minutes carefully trying to bury dinner before walking away, don't be offended.
Your cooking hasn't necessarily received a bad review.
Your cat may simply be attempting to put the leftovers away.
Why Does My Cat Talk to Me—and Why Is It Sometimes at 3 am?
Some cats barely say a word. Others seem to believe every moment of the day requires commentary.
There's the little chirp when you walk into the room, the demanding meow at the food bowl, the conversational trill, the indignant yowl from another room and, of course, the unmistakable announcement at 3 am that your cat has something extremely important to discuss.
Cats communicate with us using a mixture of vocalisations, body language, scent and touch. Interestingly, adult cats tend to use meowing far more in their interactions with humans than with other adult cats. Over time, they can also learn which particular sounds get a response from the people they live with.
And we learn them too.
Most people who have lived with the same cat for a while can tell the difference between “I'm hungry”, “open this door”, “where are you?”, “pay attention to me” and the noise that means something genuinely isn't right.
But Why at 3 am?
Cats don't share our ideas about appropriate business hours. They're naturally most active around dawn and dusk, and a cat that's awake, bored or ready for breakfast may see absolutely no reason why you shouldn't be awake too.
The problem is that we're very easy to train. If a cat meows outside the bedroom and we get up, offer food, open a door or provide attention, they've learnt that persistence works. Even telling them to be quiet can be rewarding if what they wanted was a response.
Plenty of daytime activity, interactive play and a predictable routine can help with a cat that regularly decides the household should start its day several hours early. But a new increase in vocalisation—particularly in an older cat—shouldn't automatically be dismissed as attention-seeking. Pain, illness, hearing or vision changes, cognitive changes and other medical problems can alter how much a cat vocalises.
Otherwise, you may simply have a talker.
And if your cat has discovered that yelling into the hallway at 3 am produces an immediate human response, congratulations.
Your cat has trained you beautifully.
Why Does My Cat Want the Door Open—and Then Refuse to Go Through It?
Your cat stands at a closed door and demands that it be opened. You open it. The cat stares through the doorway. You wait. The cat continues to stare. You encourage the cat to go through, and the cat looks at you as though you're being unreasonable.
Eventually, you close the door—and the cat immediately wants it open again.
It's Not Necessarily About Going Through the Door
Cats are naturally curious about their surroundings, and a closed door prevents them from checking what's happening on the other side. They may not actually want to enter the room. They may simply want the option.
An open doorway gives them information: smells, sounds, movement and access to part of their territory. Close it, and suddenly something has changed. This can be particularly noticeable in cats that routinely patrol the house or follow their humans from room to room. A door that is normally open becoming closed may be enough to warrant immediate investigation.
Of course, cats also learn very quickly that scratching, meowing or rattling a door can summon a human to open it. And once the door opens, the original mission may already have been accomplished.
They wanted the door open. Nobody said anything about walking through it.
So next time you're standing there holding a door open while your cat sits motionless on the other side, don't expect gratitude. You're not the doorman. You're the door-opening mechanism.
Why Does My Cat Attack the Printer?
Of all the enemies a cat might encounter in life, Hank has chosen the printer.
Whenever I print music, manuscripts or anything else important, he appears. As the paper begins to emerge, he's ready—pawing at it, grabbing it and occasionally leaving teeth marks in the corners. I've lost count of how many pages have come out looking as though my cat has personally proofread them.
Moving Paper Is Far Too Tempting
From a cat's point of view, a printer has quite a lot going for it. It suddenly whirs into life, makes unusual noises and then slowly produces a moving object from a mysterious opening. For a curious cat with a strong interest in movement, that's difficult to ignore.
The emerging page can trigger the same sort of interest as a toy disappearing and reappearing. And once a cat discovers that the printer reliably produces moving paper, anticipation becomes part of the fun. Hank doesn't need to be surprised by it anymore. He knows what's coming.
Our reaction can make the whole performance even more entertaining. If the printer starts and I immediately leap up to rescue an important document from his teeth, Hank has managed to activate both the machine and the human.
There is a practical side to this one, though. Cats shouldn't be allowed to put paws inside a printer or chew electrical cords, and ink, toner and moving internal parts aren't things we want them investigating. If your cat shares Hank's fascination, keeping the printer inaccessible or supervising while it's running is the safest option.
As for Hank, after a couple of years of observation I can only conclude that the printer remains his sworn, eternal nemesis.
And every fresh sheet of paper is another chance to defeat it.
Breed-Specific Lunacy: Are Some Cats Just Weirder Than Others?
Every cat is an individual, but certain behavioural tendencies do appear more often in some breeds than others. Genetics can influence things such as activity levels, sociability, vocalisation and playfulness, although personality, age, early experiences and environment all help shape the cat you eventually share your home with.
And some breeds have developed particularly colourful reputations.
The Siamese, for example, is not generally known for keeping its opinions to itself. TICA (The International Cat Association) describes the Siamese as highly social, intelligent and famously vocal. They're also clever enough to learn games such as fetch and have been known to open cupboards and even turn on taps. So if you want a quiet cat who minds its own business, a Siamese may have other ideas.
Then there's the Abyssinian, an athletic, intensely curious cat that TICA rather wonderfully describes as one of the “preposition cats” because they have a habit of being above, below, in, under, across, beside, between, into, over, among and through just about everything. In other words, if there's somewhere an Abyssinian isn't supposed to be, there's a fair chance that's precisely where you'll find it.
Bengals bring their own particular brand of chaos. They're energetic, highly trainable climbers and investigators, and many are fascinated by water. Some will play in sinks and baths or even attempt to join their humans in the shower. They can also learn to fetch and walk on a harness. A bored Bengal and an interesting household are probably not a combination to underestimate.
The Turkish Van takes the water obsession even further. Often nicknamed the “swimming cat”, the breed has a long-standing reputation for enjoying water games and even swimming. They're also energetic jumpers and climbers, and some retrieve toys or turn on taps. I've written more about these fascinating cats in my separate blog on the Turkish Van.
And then there's the Devon Rex. TICA describes them as intelligent, active and mischievous, with many learning to fetch. I can vouch for that one personally. Years ago, I had a Devon Rex who learnt to fetch sticks. Not toy mice. Not little balls. Sticks. We started calling the cat Puppy Cat, and Puppy Cat it remained.
Of course, none of this means every Siamese will talk your ear off, every Bengal will climb into the shower or every Devon Rex will decide to become a Labrador. Breed tendencies aren't guarantees, and an ordinary domestic moggy can easily out-weird the pedigrees. My old tabby who insisted on drinking water by dipping in a paw and licking it certainly didn't need an impressive family tree to be peculiar.
Breed can give us clues about certain behavioural tendencies, but it doesn't write the whole script.
Sometimes the explanation for your cat's particular brand of lunacy is much simpler.
That's just your cat.
Safe Outdoor Time Without a Free-Roaming Cat
Keeping a cat indoors doesn't mean they have to miss out on everything the outdoors has to offer. In fact, I think giving indoor cats safe, controlled access to the outside world can add enormously to their lives.
The important words there are safe and controlled.
Free-roaming cats face risks from cars, dogs, fights, poisons and disease, and they can also have a devastating impact on wildlife. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways for a cat to experience the outdoors without simply opening the door and hoping for the best.
A secure catio or enclosed verandah can provide fresh air and sunshine along with all those fascinating outdoor smells and sounds. A properly cat-proofed garden is another option, while some cats can be trained to walk on a harness and lead.
Hank is harness-trained, and our trips into the garden are one of his favourite things. The moment he gets into the dirt, he goes slightly loony. He digs little holes, rolls around, has dirt baths and creates tunnels through my turmeric and ginger beds as though I've planted them specifically for his entertainment.
I've also noticed a definite difference in Hank when he hasn't been outside for a while. Life gets busy, or we can have weeks of rain when taking him into the garden simply isn't practical. After too long cooped up indoors, he starts getting restless and a little more mischievous—basically bouncing off the walls. Once we finally get a dry day and the garden has dried out enough, out we go, and he absolutely loves it.
For Hank, getting his paws into the soil and exploring the garden is what I tend to call grounding. Scientifically, I'd describe the benefit more cautiously as sensory and behavioural enrichment. He's feeling different textures beneath his paws, smelling plants and soil, listening to insects and birds and investigating an environment that's constantly changing. Whatever we call it, I can certainly see how much he enjoys and benefits from that outdoor time.
Of course, supervised doesn't mean uneventful. Lizards are particularly exciting, and I've had to intervene more than once to rescue one from Hank's attention. Bees occasionally attract his interest too, which I strongly discourage for everybody's sake.
Bringing Some of the Outdoors Inside
Not every cat will tolerate a harness, and that's fine. A secure window perch can provide hours of Cat TV, while climbing structures, scratching posts, grasses and cat-safe plants can add variety indoors. Some cats even enjoy lying in the soil around a large pot plant—although it's important to make sure both the plant and anything used in the potting mix are safe for cats.
The aim isn't to recreate an entire wilderness inside your house. It's to give cats opportunities to climb, scratch, sniff, watch, explore, stalk, play and make choices. And when bad weather or other circumstances mean safe outdoor time isn't possible for a while, providing more of those opportunities indoors can be particularly valuable.
Indoor living protects cats and wildlife. Enrichment makes that indoor life more interesting.
And if you can provide safe outdoor access as well, your cat can enjoy the best bits of being outside without becoming the neighbourhood's furry little serial killer.
When “Weird” Behaviour Isn't Just Your Cat Being a Cat
We've spent most of this blog celebrating the wonderfully strange things cats do, but there is an important distinction between your cat's normal weirdness and behaviour that's unusual for your cat.
You know your cat better than anyone. If they've always raced around the house at midnight, slept in the bathroom sink or yelled at you while you're making dinner, that's part of who they are. But when a familiar behaviour suddenly changes—or an entirely new one appears—it's worth paying attention.
Cats are very good at hiding pain and illness, so behavioural changes can sometimes be among the first clues that something isn't right. A normally sociable cat may start hiding. A tolerant cat may suddenly become irritable or bite when touched. Sleeping, grooming, eating, drinking or toileting habits may change. A cat may become unusually vocal, restless or withdrawn.
One small change doesn't automatically mean something is wrong, and changes in the household, routine or environment can also affect behaviour. The important thing is to look at the whole picture and, particularly, whether the change is sudden, persistent or accompanied by other symptoms.
If something feels genuinely out of character, don't simply dismiss it as your cat being weird. A veterinary check can rule out pain or illness before you start looking for a purely behavioural explanation.
Because there's a big difference between “My cat has always been a lunatic” and “My cat isn't acting like my cat.”
And that difference is worth noticing.
Proof that my adorable little psychopath does have an off switch.
Celebrate the Weird
Living with a cat means accepting that some things may never make complete sense.
They'll ignore the expensive bed and sleep in the box it came in. They'll demand that you open a door and then refuse to walk through it. They'll chatter at birds, attack printers, supervise bathroom visits, race through the house in the middle of the night and occasionally stare at an empty corner long enough to make you wonder whether you should be worried.
And that's part of the joy of them.
The more we understand about feline behaviour, the easier it becomes to see that much of what looks bizarre from our perspective makes perfectly good sense to a cat. Behind the weirdness there's often instinct, curiosity, communication, learning or simply an individual personality expressing itself in its own peculiar way.
Hank will undoubtedly continue stalking me, attacking freshly printed manuscripts, digging tunnels through my garden and doing things that make me stop and ask, “What the hell are you doing?”
And I'm quite sure he'll continue looking at me as though I'm the strange one.
Perhaps that's the real secret to living happily with cats. Give them appropriate outlets for the instincts that make them cats, pay attention when their behaviour changes, protect them from the things they don't understand, and learn to appreciate the wonderfully eccentric individuals they are.
Because cats are weird.
Thank goodness for that.
© 2026 Majella Gee – Majella's Pet Store. All rights reserved.
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