Behaviour & Training

Whiskers do a lot more than making your kitty look cute, they also serve many important purposes! From working as a built-in measuring tape to helping with their close up vision, your cat's whiskers are truly amazing! Your cat’s whiskers are an iconic part of their anatomy. Not only do they look incredibly cute and tickle us during the night, but they also have an important purpose. Serving as the ultimate sensory tool, their whiskers are nothing like hairs (although they might look like it) and are actually highly sensitive. You may be wondering why do cats have whiskers and want to find out more about your fuzzy friend’s built-in radar system. Keep reading to discover everything about whiskers, from how they work to how they help cats navigate in the dark! Why do cats have whiskers? Your cat’s whiskers are truly multifunctional, but their most important purpose is as a sensory tool. The official title for them is vibrissae, which comes from Latin ‘vibrio’ and means ‘to vibrate’. The hair follicle of your cat’s whiskers is loaded with nerves, and the whisker tip features a sensory organ known as a proprioceptor. Together, this makes them incredibly sensitive to vibrations and changes in their environment, so cats use them like an additional sense to understand the world. Additionally, whiskers are also much more deeply embedded in their body than normal fur hair, as they’re connected to the muscular and nervous system. This enables whiskers to send sensory messages to the brain about your cat’s surroundings, which is what makes them such savvy explorers! We think cat’s whiskers are, well, the cat’s whiskers. Which is why we’ve put together our top 10 facts to tell you everything you need to know about your clever cat’s face fuzz:

Cat kneading, also known as 'making biscuits' is an adorable behaviour, usually seen when they're having a good fuss! You may be wondering why they do this and want to discover the reasoning behind the behaviour, which is why we've put together this handy guide to tell you everything you need to know. Cat kneading is a common cat behaviour, often displayed as the rhythmic pushing of their paws in and out at alternating times. Many people think that it looks like they’re kneading dough, which is why it’s also adorably known as ‘making biscuits’. Cats love to do this on soft surfaces like cosy blankets, squishy cushions, or most commonly your lap when they’re having a good fuss! If you have a cat that does this, you may be wondering why do cats knead? Which is why we’ve put together this article so you can find out the truth behind your feline friend’s baking habits. What is cat kneading? Most cats will knead, but not all will do it in the same way. Where the motion of their paws usually remains the same, the accompanying actions may differ. Some will purr really loudly, where others may do it quietly, others may do it with just their front paws, whereas some will put their all into it and use all four. Most cats will at least display the classic making biscuits action. Additionally, whilst cats knead it’s not unusual for them to appear to be in a trance-like state and look almost glazed over. This just means that they’re completely relaxed.

Owners are constantly baffled when they buy their cat a cool new toy and they're much more interested in the box it came in! But why do cats love boxes so much? Keep reading to find out why. It’s a widely known fact that cats love boxes. To them, no toy in the world, no matter how expensive or fancy it may be, compares to a simple cardboard box. It’s a phenomenon that baffles most cat owners, especially when they’ve just purchased a great new bed or cool toy, and their cat seems to prefer the packaging it came in. In this article we explore why cats like boxes and tell you all about why they make the perfect snoozing and hunting ground for your cat. Why do cats like boxes? There are lots of reasons that cats love boxes, but the main one is because they’re confined, enclosed spaces. Cats are ambush predators and finding confined places where they can hide, hunt prey and feel safe and warm is an instinctive behaviour. Snug cardboard boxes fit the bill perfectly. Boxes are safe Cats get comfort and security from enclosed spaces, which is why they love spending time in cardboard boxes. Cats use boxes as hiding places where predators can’t sneak up on them from the side or behind. If your cat is in a box, any “intruders” like prey, humans or other pets have to come directly into their field of vision, meaning nothing can surprise them. And cats like boxes because they help to reduce stress and offer a safe zone where your cat can observe and not be seen. This is ideal for cats as their reaction to stressful situations is often to run and hide. Cats don’t have in-built conflict resolution strategies, so they much prefer to hide from their problems. The safety of the private, enclosed space is another possible answer to why do cats like boxes.

It's a common misconception that cats will only wag their tails when they're angry, but there's actually loads of reasons why they may do this. Find out everything you need to know about cat tail language in this article. A cat’s body language can often be hard to decipher. Cats are very complex and the way they tell you how they feel isn’t always obvious. It’s really easy to misread your cat’s behaviour, which can often result in being swatted away by an unhappy kitty when you go in for a pet at the wrong time. One thing in particular that can help you understand how your furry friend is feeling is their tail. Contrary to popular belief, a cat’s tail is actually really expressive and can give you an invaluable insight into if they’re feeling playful, happy or scared. Keep reading to discover the secrets behind cat tail language and discover more about your cat’s emotions. Why do cats wag their tails? Unlike dogs, cats often wag their tails when they are angry or upset, but it’s not always the case. Cat tail language is really sophisticated and can be an excellent indicator to your kitty’s emotions. By paying attention to the direction and speed of your cat’s wagging tail, as well as the rest of their body, you can usually get a good grasp as to how they’re feeling. See our list of possible explanations as to why your cat is wagging their tail.

Have you ever asked ‘why does my cat lick me’? It’s a common question many cat owners have. The truth is there are a number of different reasons why your cat licks you – and many of them are to do with affection! Possible reasons why your cat licks you One reason your cat may lick you is because it’s a way of creating a social bond. From a young age a cat’s mother would not only lick them as a way of grooming them, but also to show affection. Cats then replicate this behaviour with you as a way of showing their own affection – it simply comes naturally. This licking behaviour is not just exclusive between pet and owner. Cats often lick other cats and even other animals to show their affection. Do keep an eye out, however, when your cat begins to lick other cats or other animals, as not all cats or animals like to be licked. In some cases some other cats or animals may retaliate or become anxious when a cat tries to lick them. Another reason your cat may lick you is because they are stressed or anxious. It is very common for cats and other animals to begin to lick things excessively if they are stressed. This can include licking you; if you think this may be the case it might be best to pay a visit to your local vet. If you think something has caused your cat to be stressed, try to identify the source of their worry in case you can remove it. Cats like to mark their territory so other cats and animals know what is theirs. If a cat sees you as theirs, they may begin to lick you to mark you as part of their territory. This is to let other cats know who you belong to. Whilst this type of behaviour is completely normal it could lead to problems in the house if you have more than one cat or pet, so watch out for territorial behaviour. Why it sometimes hurts when a cat licks you It can sometimes hurt when a cat licks you, especially if your cat does this excessively and in the same place. This is because of special back-facing barbs on your cat’s tongue called ‘papillae’. These barbs are made from the same material as your cat’s claws, which explains why their tongue feels like sandpaper. These barbs are important when your cat grooms themselves. The barbs help to remove dirt and debris from a cat’s coat. If the barbs weren’t sharp they would not be able to pick up this dirt and a cat would not be able to keep himself or herself as clean.

Cats are very curious creatures and if you have one in your home, you’ve probably become accustomed to them staring at you from time to time. If your kitty does this you’ll likely be wondering, “why does my cat stare at me?” Find out why with this article. If you have the honour of sharing your home with a feline, you’re probably no stranger to that “I’m being watched” feeling. Whether you’re making dinner, sitting on the sofa or just waking up in the morning, it’s common that you’ll find your kitty looking at you with their big, round eyes – but what is the reasoning to it? Is it just pure curiosity on their part? Or is it something more? We’ve put together this guide to tell you the possible reasons why your cat stares at you, keep reading to unlock the secrets of your pet’s behaviour. Why does my cat stare at me? There are actually a number of reasons why your cat may sit and stare at you. The top 3 most common ones are: 1. It’s feeding time The first and most obvious reason why your cat is staring at you is that they may be trying to convince you to feed them. If you find it’s around the time they’re usually tucking in and they’re staring at you with demanding eyes, it’s likely that they’re trying to use their best mind tricks to convince you to top up their food bowl. For added effect, they may also pair this stare with squeaks and meows to really get your attention! 2. Cats are curious creatures Cats are incredibly curious by nature and they always want to know what’s going on. It could be just that they’re observing you to see if you’re going to do anything interesting.

As more cats are living longer, owners and vets get more frequently confronted with age-related problems such as cat dementia. We’ve rounded up the most common signs and ways to keep your senior cat comfortable. Our cats are now living longer than ever before and there is no better news for owners looking to spend extra years with their lovely feline companions. But prolonged lives also come with increased prevalence of senior cat health problems and cat dementia can be one of them.

If you have a cat that goes outside, you’re probably no stranger to having dead creatures turn up on your doorstep. While some cats may be more adept hunters than others, you may still find yourself wondering about the reasons behind this hunting behaviour. If you have an outdoor cat, it’s incredibly likely that you’ve had dead mice or birds turn up on your doorstep. This may range from just the occasional delivery to something that you’ve come to expect each and every morning. This tendency to bring us hunting gifts has baffled cat owners across the globe and many find themselves wondering about the reasons behind cat hunting behaviours. This is especially true when your cat is regularly fed and given all the attention and fuss they could possibly wish for! If you have a cat that’s an adept hunter, it helps to understand why they hunt. Why do cats hunt? Historically, cats weren’t kept as pets and fed by loving owners. They had to provide for themselves and hunt for their own food, like their big cat cousins such as lions and tigers. A limited amount of prey meant that only the most successful hunters survived and reproduced, so your four-legged friend is descended from hunting-savvy cat ancestors. Today, cat hunting is more about fun and entertainment. The mere sight and sound of prey triggers your cat’s hunting instinct which is hardwired into their brains. Quite simply, your cat is powerless to resist the flapping wings of a bird or the scuttling feet of a small mouse.

Cats are known for their independent natures, which is just one of the qualities that makes them such great pets! Most cats will be perfectly happy being left alone during the day, but if you need to leave them for longer, you may need to look into boarding catteries or cat sitting services. As cats snooze for around two thirds of their day (and even more in their senior years), they should be fine left to their own devices for shorter periods of time, as long as you give them plenty of love and quality playtime when they’re awake! However, if you’re going to be away for longer than a day, you’ll need to make sure that your cat is properly cared for. If you can’t find a willing friend, try a cattery or use a cat sitting service. Leaving cats at home Cats are home-loving, territorial creatures, so it can be easiest to find a way for your cat to be looked after at home when you go away. They’re unlikely to feel stressed if they’re in their usual environment with its familiar scents, sights and sounds.

It’s no secret that cats love to sleep, but owners are often puzzled by this behaviour. How long do cats sleep, and how do you know if your cat is sleeping too much? This article will explain how and why cats love to sleep so much. How long do cats sleep for? On average, cats sleep between 13 and 16 hours in a 24-hour day; that’s roughly twice the amount that their human owners require. Although this does vary depending on age and personality, your cat will certainly spend far more time napping than you. Why do cats sleep so much? Fundamentally, cats are predators, and sleeping is vital to conserve their energy after hunts. Cats are anatomically and physiologically designedto hunt for their food, even if now you provide it for them in a bowl. Wild cats are commonly observed hunting their prey and then sleeping for extended periods of time; this is because hunting demands a huge amount of energy. Domestic cats are no different, and even if they are only hunting their favourite toy or chasing after a mouse, the effect is the same: they employ energy intensive techniques, such as stalking, pouncing, chasing and climbing. Your cat is on alert throughout their ‘hunt’, using high levels of adrenaline and energy to keep their body fuelled. All this means that despite the relatively short period when your cat is active, they use up disproportionately large energy reserves, resulting in the need for a well-deserved cat nap! Why do cats have a cat-nap? Cat sleeping habits aren’t quite like our own. Contrary to popular belief, cats aren’t nocturnal; they are crepuscular, meaning they’re most active around dawn and dusk. This sleeping pattern is due to their hunting instinct, which evolved so that they would be awake when their prey is at its most active. Cat’s eyes are also more adapted to night vision, allowing them to observe movement more clearly in low light. If your cat has been at all active during the night, their depleted energy reserves will mean that they will probably start the day with a nap. Although many cats continue to stay active during the night, many cats sleeping habits have adapted to sleeping during the night, as their owners do. More universal, though, is their choice to wake up at dawn to demand their breakfast!