Purring, kneading buns, rubbing against their owner's legs, scratching their whiskers and other typical cat behaviours are often interpreted as positive. But the reasons why cats purr, for example, can also be pain and stress. Passing between someone's legs does not always mean affection, but is more a sign of marking territory. In addition to these,there are several feline behaviors that are misinterpreted, which can cause the guardian's response to not be appropriate for what the pet needs at that moment.

The truth is that every minimal cat behavior can have several meanings and, to improve coexistence with them, it is important to understand these variations of feline body language. After all, cats are super expressive and even the way they meow wants to communicate something to the guardian. We have gathered the most common feline behaviors that we believe to be one thing - when in fact it is another.Check it out!

1) Cat meowing a lot does not only indicate hunger

When you hear your cat meowing a lot, the first suspicion is that the food and water jars are empty. After all, a meowing cat is hungry, but that's not all! In addition to showing that the food is not to your liking, a cat meowing a lot can mean many things. Each tone and intensity of the cat's meow means something. It can be stress, neediness, pain, boredom, among others. In the case of felinesif not neutered, the meow of a cat in heat is also very characteristic.

The best thing to do when faced with a meowing cat is to check if it emits other signals that will help you interpret what it needs. In addition to checking the pitch and frequency of the noise, observe the whole posture of the animal: whether the pupils are dilated or retracted; whether you see the cat wagging its tail or if the limb is still; and how the position of the ears is.

2) Cat purring is not always happiness

A purring cat is a very pleasant sound to hear and studies show that this noise can even be beneficial to the emotional state of humans. However, they don't just purr when they are happy or receiving affection. Just like meowing, this purr emitted from the pet's throat is another effective form of communication between felines and/or with the guardian. Why a cat purrs is usually because it isIn other cases, the sound will be louder than usual, as he wants to draw attention to the problem: it could be hunger, pain or even discomfort.

3) Anger makes the cat shiver, but so does fear

A cat with matted fur is usually linked to a threatening situation and it is common to think that it is ready to attack as a defense. But at these times the feline's behavior must also be considered: a matted cat ready to attack accompanies other attitudes, such as a fixed gaze and an arched back, followed by the famous "roll over" before the attack. Now, if the cat is matted, with theIf your cat's back is tilted downwards and its tail is raised, this is a sign of fear. The ideal thing to do at this point is to remove the threat from the cat, as this can also cause a lot of stress.

4) The cat is licking itself a lot does not only mean hygiene

Cats have great grooming habits and that's one of the reasons why cats lick themselves. But beware: if your cat licks itself a lot more than usual, it's worth keeping an eye on it. Excessive licking ranges from something simple, like dirt that's hard to get off, to more serious problems, like fleas and ticks. Your cat licking itself more than usual is also a sign of a wound or disease, like alopeciaAnd it is essential that he receives the proper treatment to end the discomfort.

5) Cat rubbing itself means affection or territory marking

When it comes to cats rubbing themselves, the meaning is attributed to the feline's territorial instinct and that this is their way of marking their presence on something, or someone. But why cats rub themselves on us also shows affection and even longing. The release of pheromones produced by the feline when rubbing itself is another way for it to indicate that it feels protected and loved, and this odor is unique to the cat.This explains why cat owners have an easier time interacting with outdoor cats - and also why cats know when you're cuddling with another kitty. In other words, a cat rubbing against your leg indicates a lot of things, including how much love it feels for you.

6) Does the cat also wag its tail when it is happy?

It depends, this is a canine habit and the way a cat wags its tail can indicate many things. Just observe: it will make long movements when it is curious and short and fast movements when it is playing or excited. A cat lying down and its tail wagging slowly indicates comfort. Now, when it is making strong and fast movements with its tail, this is synonymous with discomfort, either because it isAll this happens because the reason why the cat wags its tail is linked to reactions that its body receives and emits, due to the feline tail being an extension of the spine.

7) Cat scratching something could be stress

Many owners invest in scratchers to prevent their cat from damaging something in the house and believe that this is a way for the cat to play. In fact, the cat scratching has other meanings besides this: he does it to sharpen his nails, or because he simply likes to scratch that object. However, he can also scratch due to stress and, to identify this, it is necessary to observeother cat behaviors, such as lots of meowing and very loud purring.

In other words, being attentive to the feline's attitudes is also part of the animal's care, because the feline expression always says a lot and they do not hide diseases. In fact, what cats think of their owners is that they are similar: that is, another cat! And to interpret any feline movement well, the ideal is to think like them!

8) Cat showing her butt is a sign of trust and complicity

Have you ever wondered why cats like to show their butts? Even if it seems like mere exhibitionism, it actually only happens when the animals trust the person a lot. After all, it is a rather unusual cat behavior, right?! But at the same time, it is something that exposes a very vulnerable part of the body, so it is a great demonstration of trust and the kitten to say that he feels calm withyou.

The reason for cats showing their butts, however, varies greatly. Sometimes it is a way for the cat to try to get the owner's attention, greet and even ask for affection. In other cases, it may be a cat marking territory. The adanal glands are located very close to the anus and exude a characteristic odor, which contributes to this marking of the felines.

9) Cats following their owners into the bathroom is part of the species' instinct for protection and vigilance.

Cat behaviour is so curious that, even if they seem detached, many guardians are sometimes surprised by the animal following them around the house. But why do cats follow their owner in the bathroom? It's a moment of privacy, but one that felines always seem to want to "participate" in somehow. The explanation for this has nothing to do with curiosity nor does it mean that your cat is a gossip. in fact,he just wants to make sure that you are protected and safe when you do your business.

There are also other factors that contribute to your kitty wanting to stay with you in the bathroom. When it's time to shower, for example, cats love to see the water gushing out of the shower head - not least because they love cool, running water. The cool bathroom floor is also much appreciated by the feline, as are the rolls of toilet paper, which look like a cat toy to these animals.

10) Cats see humans as other cats and even choose their owners

You've probably heard that cats choose their owners. Well, it's true, but it's not that simple. First, it's important to understand that cats don't see humans as "owners" - but rather as other cats, only bigger. That's why they don't change their behavior for anyone, and usually maintain an equal relationship with family members.

However, there is almost always a "favorite" member of the family to whom the kitten is more devoted and chooses to follow. When this happens, it is certain: the bond created between the feline and the human is very powerful. So feel privileged if your kitten has chosen you!

Common questions about cat behavior

What are the behaviors of the cat?

Cats are nocturnal animals and therefore spend a lot of their time sleeping. To give you an idea, feline sleeping hours can reach up to 16 hours a day. In addition, several wild instincts of the species remain today. The habit of sharpening their nails, hiding and climbing high places are some examples of common feline behavior.

How does the cat know who its owner is?

Cats recognize their owners in several ways. In addition to seeing and smelling humans, cats can also recognize their owners by the sound of their voices.

When a cat approaches you?

In cat behavior, the meaning of a sudden approach usually means that the cat likes you very much. From a spiritual point of view, the beliefs are that cats sense people's energy and usually approach those with positive vibes.

What does it mean when the cat keeps rubbing against us and meowing?

Sometimes it can be a sign of affection, but most of the time the cat is just trying to mark territory with his scent. As he rubs against someone's legs, an exchange of scents occurs that signals to other animals that that "space has an owner".

How do you know if your cat likes you?

There are several ways to identify cat love. Purring, kneading buns, rubbing their head against their guardian, and slow blinking are some of the ways that a cat can tell you they love you. In addition, cats make eye contact frequently and like to be close to the one they love a lot of the time.