cat behaviour

Cat behaviour is the study of how domestic cats act and why: how they communicate, hunt, play, rest, mark territory and relate to people and other animals. Much of it traces back to the cat's ancestry as a solitary hunter of small prey.

Cats communicate mainly through the body. The position of the ears, the width of the pupils, the height and movement of the tail, and the arch or crouch of the back all carry meaning. A tail held upright signals a friendly greeting. Flattened ears, a puffed coat and a lashing tail signal fear or anger. Sounds add to this: purring, meowing, which adult cats direct mostly at people, hissing and growling. Scent matters as well. Cats rub their cheeks on objects and people and scratch surfaces to leave marks other cats can read.

Other habits follow from hunting. Cats are most active around dawn and dusk, sleep for much of the day, stalk and pounce in play, and prefer to watch from high or hidden places. They like to choose when contact begins and ends, and many dislike being held or stared at.

Reading these signals keeps both sides safe and comfortable. Most scratches and bites happen after warnings that went unnoticed. A sudden change, such as hiding, aggression or avoiding the litter tray, is often the first visible sign of illness or stress, so an owner who knows what is normal for their cat can get it help sooner.