If you have a cat, it may seem like you’ve developed a shared language with your pet, whether it’s a specific meow or slow blinking.
But do you really know how your cat feels?
In a new study, researchers from the University of Córdoba sought to understand the most and least common cat habits.
From spraying on walls to sudden bouts of frantic licking, they’ve now revealed the seven surefire signs your cat isn’t feeling well.
Dr. David Menor-Campos, the study’s lead author, said: ‘Understanding normal behavior helps improve animal welfare, especially in cats, whose antics can be as puzzling as they are adorable!’
Scientists have now revealed these seven signs that all is not well with your cat. A survey of more than 800 cat owners found that this was the most unusual behavior
The researchers surveyed 816 cat owners and ranked their behavior on a frequency scale from ‘never’ to ‘always’.
Using this data, Dr. Menor-Campos and his team were able to discover which behaviors are truly unusual.
The least common behavior in cats was spraying urine on surfaces outside the litter box.
More than 90 percent of cat owners reported that their cat rarely did this, while 87 percent said it had never happened.
This was followed by sudden frantic licking or chewing, which 83 percent of owners said had never happened.
The other most unusual behaviors were defecating outside the litter box, self-mutilation, chewing on objects when left alone, and growling or hissing when petted.
If you have a cat, it may seem like you’ve developed a shared language with your pet, whether it’s a specific meow or slow blinking. But do you really know how your cat feels? (stock image)
The study authors say they hope these findings will help new and current pet owners be better prepared for their cat’s behavior.
Previous research has shown that cats’ behavior and body language can be a good indicator of their emotional state.
However, the authors note that cat owners are often very reluctant to ask for help when their cat is exhibiting behavioral problems.
Cat owners, they say, don’t always understand what behavior is normal for a cat and their reactions can often make the behavior worse.
For example, if your cat is spraying, it is most likely due to a sudden change in environment.
But reacting negatively or trying to punish the cat can actually cause more stress and lead to more spraying.
Dr. Menor-Campos explained, “If cat owners understand what is normal and what is abnormal for their pet, they can recognize warning signs and address behavioral or health problems before they become too serious.”
The researchers found that cats living in the countryside are less playful and more interested in hunting, while cats living in the city are more likely to fear new changes (stock image)
At the other end of the scale, the researchers also discovered the behaviors most common in cats.
What owners most often reported was that their feline friends reacted curiously to new sights and changes in their environment.
More than 80 percent of owners said their cat usually or always discovered something new around the house.
This was followed by purring when petted or stroked and asking to be let through doors, which 52 percent of owners said always happened.
Other common behaviors included seeking physical contact when their owners are sitting or lying down, asking for food and jumping on moving objects.
This research not only helps us understand what is normal for cats, but also helps us understand how a cat’s background and environment influence its behavior.
From the research, published in the Journal of Veterinary Behaviorwrite the authors: ‘Female cats reportedly showed higher levels of aggressiveness, both towards strangers, owners and other cats, and higher levels of fear towards dogs and cats than male cats.
‘It was reported that male cats showed higher levels of sociability towards people and other cats, and were noisier than females.
‘They were also reported to be more trainable, more likely to have separation-related behavioral problems and to exhibit a greater frequency of elimination problems.’
According to the research, the place where you live also seems to influence your cat’s behavior.
The researchers found that cats living in rural areas were less playful and more interested in hunting, while city cats living in flats were more fearful of new things in the environment.
Interestingly, the researchers found that cats who lived with dogs were less likely to have behavioral problems.
The authors added: ‘Cats living in homes with dogs reportedly exhibited more purring behavior than cats living without dog contact.’