6 Things Cats Do, and The Meaning Behind Them 

by Willow S.

Here are 6 things cats do, and the meaning behind them.

Begging for food, but not eating it.

Your cat may beg for food, smell it a little bit then walk away. This can mean that your cat wants to love and attention. The latest studies from the University of Vienna showed that cats correlate food with care and attention. To cats, being fed properly and regularly, means love, trust, and loyalty. Hence, if your cat needs some attention or love, they will ask for snacks. On the other hand, if your cat suddenly shows a dislike toward their favourite food or treats, this could mean a loss of appetite, which could be a health issue. 

Why cats suddenly run off as fast as possible.

It is completely normal for your cat to suddenly get up, run as fast as they can, and then stop in their tracks almost immediately. This is often due to pent-up energy, that is suddenly overwhelming. Cats are natural hunters, and domesticated cats generally have this instinct, to a certain extent. From time to time, your cat may feel the need to hunt and practice these naturally occurring behaviours. If a cat isn’t getting enough exercise throughout the day, then racing around could be a way of releasing their pent up energy. Another reason could be that they hear or smell another animal nearby. A cat’s hearing is much stronger than humans in many degrees. Your cat may just be hearing a bird or rodent outside and responding to that. 

Why cats bury their waste.

Most cat owners believe that when cats bury their waste, it is due to cleanliness, but the reasons are actually more intricate than that. Cats poop may smell the same to us, but in fact, they actually have pheromones, so they can distinguish which is theirs. In the wild, cats bury their feces to subdue the smell, as to not attract predators. It can also be used to attract prey, as the smell is not very strong. Domestic cats may not be in the wild, or hunt very often, they still do this to mark their territory. 

Why cats roll over when they see you.

A lot of people mistake cats showing their bellies as them wanting to be pet there. But, in reality, it’s them saying Hello to you. It means they are happy to see you and want to get some attention, treats, or pets. A cat’s belly is a very sensitive and vulnerable area, so, if they show you their belly, it should not seem like an invitation to pet them there. 

Why cats scratch.

Cats scratch for many reasons. They may want to remove dead parts of their claws, or scratch to stretch. But, most often, cats scratch to mark their territory, by leaving both visual, and scent marks. 

Why cats vomit.

Cats vomiting is usually associated with hairballs. When cats groom themselves, their tongues catch loose and dead hairs, which are then swallowed. Most of the hair passes through the digestive system, with no problem. But some hair stays in the stomach and forms a hairball. Your cat will then vomit the hairball to get rid of it. To avoid hairballs, brush your cat daily, so they are not swallowing as much hair.