3. Box Obsession

What it looks like: You buy an expensive cat bed… and your cat chooses the cardboard box it came in instead.

Why they do it: Boxes offer safety, warmth, and the perfect vantage point to observe without being seen. The enclosed space satisfies their instinct to hide from predators as well as ambush ‘prey’.

Tip: Rotate different sized boxes for mental stimulation.

3. Drinking from Faucets

What it looks like: Your cat ignores the water bowl but will scale the sink to lap at dripping water.

Why they do it: moving water is fresher in the wild, so running taps may seem safer or tastier to your cat. Some also find the sound and movement stimulating.

Solution: Try a cat water fountain to mimic this effect while keeping things hygienic.

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4. Zoomies

What it looks like: Out of nowhere, your cat sprints around the house like a tiny, fur-covered tornado.

Why they do it: Sudden bursts of energy can be leftover hunting instinct, a response to boredom, or a way to release tension. Nighttime zoomies often coincide with a cat’s natural hunting hours. Nighttime zoomies often coincide with a cat’s natural hunting hours.

Tip: Scheduled play sessions can help channel this energy, and for late night zoomies, a good play session before you go to bed can sometime curb the need for a late night (or early morning) zoom!

 

5. Sleeping in Strange Places

What it looks like: Curled up in a laundry basket, inside a shoe, or on top of your laptop.

Why they do it: Cats seek warmth, comfort, and sometimes your scent for security. Electronics also radiate heat, making your laptop a feline favorite.

Fun Fact: Choosing high or enclosed spaces helps them feel safe from potential threats.

 

6. Chattering at Birds

What it looks like: Teeth chattering or rapid ‘eh-eh-eh’ sounds while staring out the window at birds or squirrels.

Why they do it: Theories range from frustration at not being able to hunt, to practicing the ‘kill bite’. The sound may also be an instinctive mimic of prey to lure them closer.

Tip: Provide a secure perch near a window and add a bird feeder outside the window to keep your cat mentally stimulated while keeping both wildlife and your cat safe.

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7. Fabric Fixations

What it looks like: Licking, sucking, or chewing on wool, fleece, or other fabrics.

Why they do it: This can be linked to early weaning, comfort-seeking, or sensory enjoyment. Persistent fabric chewing may also be a sign of pica (ingesting non-food items). It can also be linked to nutritional deficiencies or stress, so if your cat has a tendency to chew on things, it should be monitored and potentially discussed with your cat’s veterinarian.

Tip: Try to provide safe, satisfying alternatives and offer chew-friendly cat toys, soft fleece cat blankets or food puzzles to redirect oral focus on things can be dangerous.

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8. Head-Butting (Bunting)

What it looks like: Gently pressing or bumping their head against you.

Why they do it: Cats have scent glands on their head, among other places, and bunting deposits their scent as a sign of familiarity and ownership. It’s also a feline form of affection.

Fun Fact: When bunting you, your cat is marking you as part of their social group with the scent glands on their forehead. In cat language, they’re saying ‘You’re mine and I trust you completely.’