Understanding cats: why do they do what they do?

🐱 Anyone who has a cat at home knows: they are special housemates. Sometimes they lie peacefully sleeping for hours, then suddenly sprint through the room as if they're in a Formula 1 race. They knead your blanket as if it's dough, stare at an empty wall, or meow just when you want to sleep.

🔍 But why do cats actually do what they do? Let's take a closer look at some typical behaviors.

1. Purring: pure relaxation (or not always?)

🐾 The familiar soft vibration is usually a sign that your cat feels good and is relaxing. Think of a cuddle moment on the couch or when they're contentedly lying on your lap.

🤔 But cats sometimes also purr when they're in pain or feeling unsafe. It can be a way to calm themselves. You can often see the difference in context: if she's lying comfortably stretched out with half-closed eyes, then it's mainly happiness.

2. Kneading and kneading

👶 That typical "milk treading" with their paws stems from their kitten days. Back then, they stimulated their mother's milk production that way. Adult cats still do it, often on soft blankets or even on you. It's a sign of trust and comfort.

😊 So yes: when your cat is kneading your belly or leg, you can see that as a big compliment.

3. Running through the house

🚀 Do you know that? In the middle of the night your cat sprints through the hallway, jumps on furniture and looks as if an invisible enemy is chasing her. We also call this the 'zoomies'.

💨 It's a way to release energy. Cats sleep a lot (an average of 16 hours per day!) and have short peaks in between where they release their energy.

4. Head bonks

🤗 When your cat gently pushes her head against you, she's not doing it randomly. It's a form of greeting and also of marking. Cats have scent glands near their head and by giving you a 'head bonk', she leaves her scent behind. This way you officially become part of her safe environment.

5. Why do cats eat grass?

🌿 Sometimes you see your cat enthusiastically nibbling on grass in the garden or on the balcony. They don't do this for the taste, but to stimulate their stomach. It helps them get rid of hairballs or get their digestion going. So it's actually a kind of natural 'detox'.

7. Why do cats sit in boxes?

📦 Give a cat an expensive bed and they'll probably still choose the cardboard box. That's because a box offers shelter and security. It's a small, enclosed space where they can retreat undisturbed. For cats, that's the way to feel safe and relaxed.

8. Why does my cat lick me?

👅 When your cat licks you, it sometimes feels a bit rough, but it's a big compliment. Cats learned this behavior from their mother. It's a sign of trust and affection: basically your cat is saying that you belong to the 'family'.

9. Why do cats wag their tails?

🐾 Cats wag their tails to express their mood.

• Tail up: confident, happy.

• Quick swishing: restlessness or irritation.

• Tail thick and puffed: fear or defense.

👀 It pays to pay attention to this, often the tail tells you more than the meowing.

🎭 The beautiful thing about cats is that they follow their own rules. They do exactly what they want, when they want, and usually exactly at the moment when you thought you could sit quietly for a bit. Sometimes their behavior seems totally chaotic, but secretly there's always a logic behind it that only they understand.

😹 And let's be honest: without their weird jumps in the middle of the night, their sudden sprint attacks and mysterious box obsession, life would be a lot more boring. Cats keep us on our toes