Cat lovers are forever trying to figure out what on earth is going on in their feline's head. They always seem to know exactly what they're doing and what they're going to do next, but why do they always wash themselves when they fall off something, and why do they chatter at birds like that? Here's our comprehensive guide to cat behavior that should clear a few of those questions up...

Firstly, cats have been proven to experience embarrassment, which is thought to be why they wash themselves when they do something by accident. They are essentially 'acting nonchalant' and doing what they would be doing had it not happened. It may seem strange, but dogs have been proven to experience jealousy, too! Some cats will flop down on their sides so that it looks like they've been lying down the whole time.

The cats chattering phenomenon has been baffling animal experts for years. They've now come to the conclusion that when a cat chatters at a bird or mouse from a distance, they're imitating their behavior from when they do actually catch one (biting down quickly to kill them). Why they make a noise at the same time is still a mystery, but perhaps simply a combination of this imitation and an excited meow, or imitating the noises that a bird or mouse makes when they have been caught.

If you're a cat enthusiast then listen up, you can learn a lot from simply watching a cat's tail. When you let your puss in from being outdoors in the cold for a long time, does he turn around to face you and quiver his tail as it stands upright? This is him saying 'hello! I'm so pleased to see you!'. He might do this when you feed him too, which is essentially the same thing; he's excited that you're giving him food. If his tail is relaxed but twitching or flicking back and forth at the end, however, then he's irritated. They sometimes do this for no reason, whilst sitting on the windowsill (which can mean they're simply concentrating), but if he's looking at you with his ears back and licking his lips too then it's best to get out of the way!

If you've ever watched a litter of kittens suckling, then you'll know that when cats knead your legs with their paws they are imitating the movement they used to stimulate their mother's nipples to produce milk. Just as small children suck their thumbs for comfort, cats knead you when they're 100% content and relaxed as it reminds them of being a cute, cuddly kitten.

To humans, many of the behaviors that cats engage in are inexplicable and baffling, yet a large majority of them actually have a very logical explanation. Try to remember these explanations for net time your cat displays them, so that you can join in with their positive emotions, or make them feel even more cosy and comfortable.

Stan Tian

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