Cats are fascinating creatures, full of quirks that can leave their owners scratching their heads.
From their endless grooming sessions to their odd obsession with small spaces, our cats have a habit of keeping us guessing.
If you’ve ever wondered what your cat’s strange behaviors mean, you’re not alone.
Here’s a closer look at 15 of the most puzzling things cats do and why they do them.
Table Of Contents
1. Why Do Cats Lick Themselves So Much?
2. What’s With The “Cat Chatter”?
3. Why Do Cats Rub Their Faces On Everything?
4. The Meaning Behind A Cat’s Head-Butt
5. Why Do Cats Love Small Spaces?
6. Why Do Cats Bring Their Owners Dead Animals?
8. What Does Purring Really Mean?
9. Why Do Cats Sometimes Stare With Mouths Open?
11. Why Do Cats Hate Baths So Much?
12. What Is “Making Biscuits”?
1. Why Do Cats Lick Themselves So Much?
Cats lick themselves multiple times a day.
While it might seem excessive to us, this is how cats keep themselves clean.
Cats are naturally hygienic and use their tongues to remove dirt and odors from their fur.
This instinct also serves a survival purpose – avoiding predators by minimizing scent.
Cats also groom each other as outlined in this article which primarily explains the common reasons why cats lick each other.
If your cat ever stops grooming, it may signal a health issue and a trip to the vet might be necessary.
It may also just be a sign of old age as kitties grooming habits can become less than ideal when they become elderly. An elderly cat, may need a little helping hand with grooming every now and then.

2. What’s With the “Cat Chatter”?
Cats sometimes mimic the sounds of birds, a behavior known as “chattering” or “chirping.”
In fact, have you ever noticed the different meows that cats have, in their meowing repertoire?
Cats definitely communicate with meows. Of course how we interpret them is up for debate sometimes but we all get to know the different meows our cats make.
This behavior does showcase a cat’s predatory instincts and sharp observation of their environment.
Cat chatter or chirping can occur when they spot prey, such as birds, and begin to make high-pitched, staccato noises that resemble bird calls.
Some experts believe this mimicry is an instinctive hunting strategy, potentially designed to lure or confuse prey.
Others think it’s simply a sign of excitement or frustration when the prey is out of reach.

3.Why Do Cats Rub Their Faces on Everything?
When a cat rubs its face against you, it’s more than just cute – it’s affection.
Cats have scent glands on their faces, and by rubbing against you, they’re mingling their scent with yours.
It’s a way of saying, “You’re part of my world.” This behavior is especially meaningful when it happens during your first meeting.
Cats also rub their faces on inanimate objects like pieces of furniture and even shoes.

4.The Meaning Behind a Cat’s Head-Butt
A head-butt from a cat is a step up from face rubbing. It’s reserved for those they truly trust and love.
Sometimes their excitement takes over, and they might slam their face into you.
It’s their way of asking for attention and affection. Take the hint—it’s time for some pets and cuddles.
As with everything cat related there is more information around headbutting behavior and more information about it in this article about cats headbutting.

5. Why Do Cats Love Small Spaces?
Have you ever found your cat tucked away in a box, a bag, a cabinet, or even under the sink?
Cats love small spaces to hide in because it makes them feel safe and secure.
Confined areas mimic the protective environments they seek in the wild, offering warmth, shelter, and a place to observe their surroundings without being seen, which helps reduce stress and anxiety.
Cats feel safe in tight spaces where they can avoid attention and relax.
Sometimes, even the most affectionate cats need a break from the hustle and bustle of human life.

6. Why Do Cats Bring Their Owners Dead Animals?
It’s not the most pleasant gift, but when cats drop a dead bird or rodent at your feet, it has meaning.
Cats believe they’re teaching you how to hunt or sharing their food with you. It’s as if they’re worried you might go hungry without their help.
Cats, even if they spend some time outdoors ideally should be kept indoors at night. Here are some reasons why keeping your cat safe and sound indoors at night, is important.
This act comes from a place of care, although we know that cats hunting wildlife native to the area in which you live, is a concern.
Sometimes the offered bounty may be rat or mouse.
Read our experience with a wily old cat called Tom who was a master rat catcher before his hunting days were eventually curtailed as he became older and in the interests of local wildlife.
7. Why Do Cats Sleep All Day?
Cats seem to love napping around the clock.
On average, they sleep about 15 hours a day. Their most active hours are at dawn and dusk
Cats sleep so much during the day because they are crepuscular animals, meaning they are most active during dawn and dusk when hunting instincts are at their peak.
Their long naps help conserve energy for these active periods, mimicking the behavior of their wild ancestors.
Cats require more sleep for growth, healing, and overall well-being, which is why they can snooze up to 16-20 hours a day!

8. What Does Purring Really Mean?
Purring is one of the most well-known cat behaviors, but its meaning isn’t as simple as you’d think.
Cats purr when they’re content, but they can also purr when they’re scared or stressed.
The vibrations may aid in healing injuries or reducing pain.
The purr is of course, not as straightforward as it sounds.
How does the actual purr happen?
This article explains how the purr occurs and the reasons for different types of purring.

9. Why Do Cats Sometimes Stare with Their Mouths Open?
Catching your cat frozen with its mouth slightly open can be puzzling, but it’s nothing alarming.
This behavior, called the Flehmen response, helps cats smell better.
It looks odd, but your cat is using their mouth to better sense the smells around them.
The Flehmen response in cats is a behavior where they curl back their lips and open their mouth slightly.
The cat will often squint or pause after sniffing something intriguing, such as another animal’s scent or urine.
This reaction helps them direct scents to the vomeronasal organ (or Jacobson’s organ), located on the roof of their mouth.
This organ processes pheromones and other chemical cues, allowing cats to gather detailed information about the source, like its identity, reproductive status, or emotional state.
It’s a fascinating sensory tool that plays a key role in feline communication and behavior.

10. Why Do Cats Spray Urine?
Urine spraying from a cat can be frustrating, but it’s rooted in survival instincts.
When cats feel threatened or stressed, they use urine to mark their territory.
This claim to space helps them feel more secure.
If your cat starts spraying indoors, it could be a sign of stress, so try to address the source of their anxiety.
Urine spraying indoors can be triggered by factors such as new pets, unfamiliar smells, disruptions in their routine, or even medical issues like urinary tract infections.
Spraying is more common in unneutered cats, but even neutered cats may spray if they feel anxious or threatened.
Addressing the underlying cause, such as reducing stressors or ensuring their litter box is clean and accessible, can help stop this behavior. For example, can the cat reach the litterbox without having to pass by the dog whicht might potentially be spooky for him?
Try and think from the cat’s point of view , okay okay but you get what I mean. No meowing though!
There may be some ideas in this article that will help with this problem.
11. Why Do Cats Hate Baths So Much?
Cats are known for their dislike of water (although not all cats dislike water) and baths rank pretty low on their list of favorite activities.
Their fur takes a long time to dry, and dripping everywhere isn’t something they enjoy.
Plus, since cats are already great self groomers, they don’t see the point of baths.
Generally speaking cats do not need to be bathed however their may be an occasion where you need to bathe your cat.
This article gives detailed information about when it may be necessary to bathe a cat and how to go about giving the cat a bath.
Can I Bathe My Cat?

12. What is “Making Biscuits”?
When cats push their paws up and down on soft surfaces, it’s called “making biscuits.”
This kneading behavior starts in kitten hood when they knead their mothers to stimulate milk flow.
As adults, many cats continue it as a comforting habit.
It’s also thought to be a way for cats to mark their territory with hormones released through their paw pads.
The article below explains cat kneading and the reasons for cat kneading in detail.
Maybe you don’t want the cat “making biscuits” or kneading in the middle of the night. There are some ideas to help eliminate this behaviour at night if it is disturbing your sleep.
Why Does My Cat Knead Me?

13. Why Do Cats Suddenly Sprint Around the House?
One moment they’re lounging, and the next, they’re zipping across the room at full speed.
These sudden bursts of energy, often called “zoomies,” result from pent-up energy. We call them the cat night crazies in this house.
Often, in the middle of the night when a teenager may be awake??? yes I know, the cat would do a full dash around the living area, out the back door, up a big tree in our yard and then back inside and collapse on the floor as though nothing much has happened.
There’s more about the reason for the cat night crazies here.
Regular playtime can help channel this energy and save you from random chaos.

14. Why Do Cats Bite?
Cats can bite for a variety of reasons.
If they’re scared, annoyed, or overstimulated, they might nip as a warning.
Sometimes, cats also bite when they want attention – they know it works!
If your cat bites, stop interacting for a moment and firmly let them know it’s not okay.
Blow gently on their face as a subtle way to discourage the behavior. The article below gives more insight into cats biting behavior.
Why Do Cats Lick Then Bite?

15. How Do Cats Always Land on Their Feet?
Cats have an impressive ability to land on their feet when they fall.
This is thanks to their “righting reflex,” a natural skill that lets them twist their bodies mid-air.
It’s not magic – it’s biology.
This reflex is made possible by their highly flexible spine and a specialized inner ear structure called the vestibular apparatus, which helps them detect their orientation.
When a cat begins to fall, its head rotates first to align with the ground, followed by its front legs, then the back legs.
The spine’s flexibility allows for quick adjustments, and their tail can help with balance.
This process usually happens in less than a second, allowing cats to minimize injury during falls, especially from moderate heights.
Cats are full of surprises, and their bizarre habits are part of what makes them so lovable.
Whether it’s a head-butt, a sudden sprint, or a dead mouse on your doorstep, there’s usually more to the story.
So the next time your kitty does something strange, remember- it all makes sense to them.

