One of the most confusing behaviors your cat may exhibit is constantly turning away from you when her butt is in your face. This may seem strange from our point of view, but trust us, it's a huge compliment. So why do cats turn their backs?
Cats turn their backs because they trust you. This is a significant sign of comfort. Cats are waiting for your protection when they turn their backs on you. This is also a sign of affection and vulnerability in cats.
Don't worry, we'll talk more about why your cat turns away from you—that's a compliment in a moment. You don't have to take our word for it.
Why does a cat lie down in the place where the owner slept?
Experts decided to dispel all the myths and conducted several experiments, after which they divided the behavior of cats into several different reasons:
- physiological reason;
- emotional;
- energy.
Speaking about physiology, it should be noted that a person’s head is always warm, so a pet is more comfortable there. The location of the cat near another part of the body may indicate that it is hot there and perhaps there is an inflammatory process, which in turn leads to fever. The cat will also be comfortable lying on a radiator or on a laptop, because these objects emit heat.
In a dream, a person does not swing his head, but a cat has probably already been accidentally hit with his foot or hand. The animal can remember that it is safe and comfortable to sleep near its owner’s head.
The next reason is emotional. A pet and its owner feel each other on a mental level, this cannot be explained, it must be understood. A person and a cat can become attached to each other, and when a pet lies down next to its owner's head, this is a sign that the animal adores its person.
The last reason concerns the energy component. The fact is that a cat is able to detect the slightest fluctuations in human energy. This is one of the reasons why a cat will lie down in the place where the least amount of negativity has accumulated. The animal takes on part of the load, which it must later process and return again for the rest of the negative.
Popular signs say: if a cat lies down, it’s not just like that. If there is always one place, then this indicates the development of pathology in the area where the cat is located. The pet constantly settles above the owner’s head - this is a signal of the latter’s chronic fatigue, increased nervousness and stress. It can also signal headaches and disruptions in cerebral circulation.
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Likewise, if a cat realizes that stealing your space will give her the opportunity to cuddle with you, she will do so to get closer to you, not only for the sake of affection, but also for the warmth of your body.
Some cats also see this as a fun game and will jump on your chair to start the game. If your chair is made of soft fabric, be careful when playing with your cat, as its claws can make holes and pull threads out of the material.
Feels safe
Sitting in your chair, you personally marked it as safe. Thus, cats see that this resting place is reliably protected, and they go to bed, knowing that nothing threatens them.
This comes from a time when cats were wild and needed protection from predators. Although cats are primarily predators, injured, vulnerable or small cats become easy prey for larger animals.
So when your cat jumps up on your seat, it really is a compliment. Your pet feels safe enough to let his guard down, knowing that he is protected without fear of a surprise attack. Your cat is part of your family pack, and she feels that way.
Signs of a cat's rest
Recently, more and more different signs about representatives of the feline family in the bed of their owner have been popping up on the Internet. Until now, experts continue to argue about why pets do this, but there are several plausible assumptions:
- Pets are designed in such a way that they have very strong energy, so they can easily find pain points on the human body and begin to heal them. If the owner has a headache, then for this reason the animal can lie down in the area of the head and try to “cure it.”
- an independent cat who has chosen a certain person as her owner believes that this person is a stronghold of security for her, so she lies down on his pillow or head and finds a calm place;
- if a pet sleeps in its owner’s bed, it shows its love and devotion;
- cats are extremely heat-loving animals; they are constantly looking for a warm place in the house. One of the sources of heat is a person, so it is logical that a pet is looking for a place near its owner.
Why does my cat jump into my chair when I get up?
Cats love to snuggle up in a soft, comfortable chair, but it can be very uncomfortable when they decide that your chair is what they want. Most owners cannot accept the fact that their happy cats will leave their new sleeping place and move to another place. Why are cats so eager to jump on your chair as soon as you change seats?
The chair is warm
According to the Journal of Physiology, cats can respond to differences between warm and cool temperatures. A cat's paws are sensitive to temperature changes.
As descendants of the African wildcat, cats crave warmth. The average body temperature of cats is 102 degrees Fahrenheit, while that of humans is 97.5 degrees. Most domestic cats are adapted to warmer climates. Those cats that live in colder areas develop thick, fluffy fur to survive, which traps heat and keeps them warm.
However, most domestic cats rely on external heat sources to stay warm, which they sometimes receive through our body heat. Because heat transfers from our body to the seat after sitting for a long time, cats sense the warmth and move there to take advantage of it.
Interestingly, since a cat's fur has insulating properties, it can prevent the animal from realizing that it is too hot. Since our body heat dissipates very quickly from the seat, this will not cause a problem.
Territory marking
Cats produce many different scents to convey messages to other animals. They also find their own scent soothing. The cat will jump on your seat to leave its scent, which will make the smell of the chair more familiar and the environment more comfortable.
If you have other cats in the house, this process shows dominance and allows the cat to mark its territory to alert all other animals.
The cat may also take your place over and over again. While it can be frustrating, if you're comfortable, don't take it personally. Your cat is occupying your chair because she is reusing her scent as it fades. Cats like to know that their scent is present, even if they are in another part of the house.
Also, don't be surprised if your cat sits in a new place for a long time without moving. Cats spend a significant amount of time in one place to make sure it smells like them. If you sit there longer, the smell will be stronger.
Chasing your scent
Cats rely on their sense of smell, which is approximately 14 times stronger than that of humans. In addition, cats have 200 million olfactory receptors that detect odors that we cannot detect. Your scent can help your cat feel comfortable and relaxed, and many cats enjoy being around the scent of their owners.
Cats also have a dual sense of smell. It consists of normal olfactory receptors that detect odors in the air. There is also a second nose called the vomeronasal organ, otherwise known as Jacobson's organ. This organ detects pheromone signatures that most other animals cannot detect.
According to Oncoscience, a cat's well-developed olfactory bulb also contributes to a heightened sense of smell. These pheromones allow cats to recognize their owners. When the owner moves from his place, the cat easily detects these unique pheromones and sits in the same place, closer to the soothing smell.
Wants a reaction
Cheeky cats love to push boundaries and will stop at nothing to get your attention. If you give a positive response in the form of petting and cuddling after your cat steals your space, she will remember this and try to take your place more often.
Why does a cat take the owner's place?
If a cat lives in the house, then its owner cannot help but notice some peculiarities in the behavior of his animal. Cats and cats can surprise; they give rise to a lot of questions and superstitions. If a person is about to sit down on a chair, then the cat is right there. The pet jumps onto the chair right in front of the owner's nose.
It seems that the pet is doing this on purpose, as if he wants to demonstrate his leadership and audacity. The owner at this moment usually adjusts and does not interfere. However, the situation is somewhat different. The cat tries to take exactly the place of the owner, since the elusive smell of a person remains there. Cats have a keen sense of smell.
The pet expresses the mood to be close to its owner. The same thing happens when a cat goes to sleep on its owner's clothes.
After the owner gets up from the chair, the seat retains heat for some time. A soft, warm chair that also retains its owner's scent is a great place to sleep. If a feline jumps onto a chair before the owner sits down, this is a sign that the pet is attracting attention. You need to try to give the animal some of your time, communicate, scratch the cat behind the ear.
Attract attention
When a cat rubs against your legs, it is asking for attention and affection. Sometimes the request is so intense that it is impossible to stand on your feet. If your pet is of impressive size, it is best to continue communication while sitting in a chair. However, you cannot always afford to give your pet the attention it needs.
Those who go to work for the whole day know that upon their return an incredibly missed creature is waiting for them at home. And until you feed and scratch behind the ears, they are unlikely to leave you alone. Perhaps due to these behavioral qualities, cats are often companions of lonely people. Thus, a person himself receives a dose of love, which for some reason he cannot receive from his own kind.
Cat code: 31 answers to cat owner questions
What accumulates in the corners of cats’ eyes and is it necessary to do something about it?
Any discharge, be it colorless tears, yellowish or greenish, dark dried, etc., signals a problem. This could be conjunctivitis, allergies, inflammation of the third eyelid, obstruction of the lacrimal canal, a symptom of an infectious disease. Only a veterinarian can tell for sure after an examination.
Why do cats often behave indecisively, as if they can’t decide what to do - jump on your lap or run under the bed?
Cats have different characters: there are touchy-feely cats that don’t like to be petted or picked up, and there are those who like it. And the same cat can be in a good and bad mood (got off on the wrong paw, for example). Again, it is important to know how to pet a cat correctly. The lower back is a hypersensitive place, and sometimes touching it can be unpleasant and even painful. The most “win-win” areas are behind the ears, on the chin and in the cheek area. But in any case, first it is better to make sure that the cat is peaceful.
Where is the cat looking when it seems to be staring through you?
There is no exact answer to this question. It can be assumed that since cats are very sensitive animals, they react in this way to sounds that the human ear cannot detect, the slightest breath of wind or changes in temperature in the room.
Is it possible to feed a cat only dry food?
In the USSR, the practice of feeding livestock with compound feed was very widespread. Essentially, the idea of dry pet food is based on the same principle. Dry food, if we are talking about high quality food, is developed taking into account all the needs of animals, huge amounts of money are invested in the development of technology, it is tested, raw materials are used that meet all international standards. You can, of course, create a menu for your Barsik yourself, so that it also contains all the vitamins and microelements he needs. But with dry food it’s easier.
It is important to feed the cat correctly. You cannot leave food freely available or arrange a “buffet”, that is, buy food from different manufacturers. The first is a direct path to pet obesity, and the second can be fraught with allergies.
Is it true that cats should not be given milk?
Is it true. Most cats, about 95%, suffer from indigestibility of cow's milk.
How to prevent your cat from stealing your seat?
There are times when you want to prevent your cat from sitting on your chair at all. Perhaps your chair is new, or, for example, you have guests. Cats are attracted to furniture, especially if your scent is on it. However, you can make your furniture less attractive by doing the following:
Don't let your cat sit
You can prevent your cat from jumping on your seat by placing something on it every time you stand up. This could be a blanket that you know your cat doesn't like, or anything else that will block your scent and prevent your cat from getting comfortable. At first you may think that you are being mean, but the cat will learn that your place is off-limits.
Provide an alternative place for your cat
If you provide your cat with a more comfortable and better located place, she will be more likely to leave your place alone. Your cat may be happy with a suitable cat bed or a cozy place you make for her.
To encourage your cat to move to a new place, place a blanket or clothes with your scent on it. Cats that want to approach your scent or mark their territory will be attracted to your pheromones and will likely allow you to take their place.
Why do cats roll over on their backs?
Sometimes you can hear an unusual question from cat lovers: “why, when I enter the room, does my cat roll over on its back?” This may not be the most pressing problem in the life of a cat lover, but this does not mean that the owner is not interested in the reasons for his pet’s behavior.
However, cats roll over onto their backs not only when the owner enters the room. Sometimes it is enough just to approach your pet and say a few warm, affectionate words to him, so that he will roll over on his back, stretching out both his hind and front legs. This happens especially often when the owner does this while approaching the cat. At the same time, the cat may yawn, extend its claws and twitch the tip of its tail somewhat.
Why does a cat like to lie on its back?
When the cat does all this, she looks at her owner with great attention, as if studying him and his mood. Thus, cats seem to invite their owner to enter into friendly, calm contact with them. It must be said that a cat performs such actions exclusively in relation to close people and those whom it trusts. She will never allow such actions towards strangers. Thus, when a cat, seeing its owner, rolls over on its back and begins to engage in all sorts of “tugs”, this can be regarded as a sign of utmost trust, which not everyone can earn.
Cat behavior: why do cats roll over on their backs?
This behavior is partly due to a certain amount of drowsiness. If the cat is in an extremely awake state, she, delighted to see her owner, will most likely simply run up to him and begin to rub against his legs, greeting him in a friendly way, but if she is tired (which often happens if she has been basking in the absence of the owner on a sunny windowsill) and sleepy, then most likely she will prefer to roll over on her back and start stretching.
This behavior is read as follows: “since I yawn and stretch, you can understand that I am still sleepy, but since I am very happy about your arrival, then for your sake, and exclusively for your sake, I can interrupt my sleep. Interrupt, but no more."
As for the slight twitching of the tail, they indicate that in the cat’s soul two mutually exclusive desires oppose each other. One tells the cat to continue lying down and enjoy the rest, and the other tells the cat to jump up and come to its owner. Once the decision is made, the twitching will stop.
However, it would be naive for the owner to believe that if the cat has turned its belly up, this means that you can calmly approach it and stroke its belly. An open and upturned belly is not always an invitation to stroke the cat's soft underbelly. This is just a sign of trust, not an invitation to affection. And if the owner decides to stroke his pet’s belly, it is most likely that in response he will receive a blow with a clawed paw. To prevent this from happening, the cat needs to trust its owner absolutely limitlessly. We should not forget that a cat’s stomach, especially its lower part, is a particularly vulnerable place and the cat instinctively tends to protect this area. Therefore, this instinct can only be overcome by truly boundless trust in the owner.
Cat on the back.
However, inexperienced owners, especially if they are children, should be reminded once again that the cat will always ensure that the human hand does not penetrate the most intimate parts of its body.
As for the slight twitching of the tail, they indicate that in the cat’s soul two mutually exclusive desires oppose each other.
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