6 Odd Cat Behaviors Explained!

Parade Magazine, the thing that comes in the Sunday paper, had an article about what it means when your cat does weird things!  I have a cat.  He does weird things!  I want to know!

Michele C. Hollow lives with two rescue cats. She writes the animal advocacy blog, Pet News and Views, and is the author of 'The Everything Guide to Working With Animals'. She is working on a book about a WWI service dog. Here's her take on 6 odd behaviors from our kitties.

• 1. Why do cats run around the house late at night? Racing around the house often starts in the early evening, and can go on all hours of the night till morning. It actually stems from instinct, when all kinds of cats—from lions to pumas to house cats—are on the hunt. They run, dive, and chase prey. It's instinct.
• 2. Why do cats smell our breath? Cats can learn a lot about us by smelling our breath. They are imprinting our scent into their brains.
• 3. Why do cats bat their food out of their dishes? Scientists say it’s because cats need to simulate the capture and conquest of their prey.
• 4. Why do cats knead on our chests with their claws? This up and down kneading action stems from nursing. Kittens press against their mother with one paw and then the other. When an adult cat kneads, it reminds her of her mother when she was a kitten.
• 5. Why do cats rub up against our legs? This is a way of sharing their scent with you. It’s a bonding experience that lets other cats know that you are owned by a cat.
• 6. Why do cats groom us? Cats that get along often groom each other as well as groom themselves. So they are extending the same courtesy to us.

Now go home to your cat and just to mess with them, rub up against THEIR leg!