Feline Behavior
CatSource »

Feline Behavior

SEND TO A FRIEND

To email this article, type in your friend's name and email address, your name and email address, and a message. Then click "submit."

Friend's name:
Friend's email:
Your name:
Your email:
Optional Message:

Message Sent!

close

Cats can sometimes be very difficult to read, so it's important to understand what some of their basic behaviors can mean. From their wide range of "meows" to their extensive sleeping habits, it is sometimes hard to know what they need and want or whether their personal habits are the norm. Get acquainted with some basic information on cat behaviors.

Self-Grooming
A cat's constant self-grooming isn't all about vanity. Fastidious cleaning is vital to their hygiene, health and comfort.

Reading Your Cat
Cats tend to speak a lot with their body language. Learn what your cat's basic movements may signal.

Feline Intelligence
Cats are born with innate abilities once thought to be learned behaviors. Find out how this intelligence helps them learn from their mistakes.

Cat Language
Find out what your cat may be trying to say with all those different "meows" he makes.
Establishing Territory
Turf wars. Marking. Posturing. It's all a part of the cat's need to establish his territory.

Hunting
Cats are built to hunt. Whether indoors or outdoors, your cat will find a way to stalk "prey" and may even deliver his find to you.

Cat Naps and Sleep
Snoozing an average of 16 hours a day, felines mix cat naps with deep dozes to gear up for the short bursts of activity they enjoy throughout the day.

Behavioral Problems
Scratching furniture, climbing curtains and nighttime romps are all part of being a cat. Learn how to modify these behaviors.

Cat Clips

Cats and the People Who Love Them
Go behind the scenes of cat shows to meet some of the biggest cat enthusiasts around.

Bizarre Cat Tales
Gold teeth, circus cats, tricked out cat homes. Check out some of the most bizarre feline finds.

Search Adoptable Pets!

How Stuff Works

Dealing With Cats That Bite and Scratch
Learn how to eradicate this unfavorable feline behavior. Visit HowStuffWorks.com for tips.

How Cat Behavior Works
Communicating with your cat can be tricky. Understanding his behaviors is key. Learn more about what his sounds and movements mean at HowStuffWorks.com.

Dealing With Cats That Spray
While this behavior usually presents itself in unneutered young adult male cats, any cat can begin spraying at almost any time. Get tips from HowStuffWorks.com on how to minimize this behavior.

CREDITS	Photodisc/Getty Images \| Thomas Northcut/Getty Images \| John-Francis Bourke/Getty Images \| Sue Mack/iStockphoto \| Tom Brakefield/Getty Images \| Doug Plummer/Getty Images \| Sami Sarkis/Getty Images \| iStockphoto \|
DISCOVERY SITES	Discovery Channel / TLC / Animal Planet / Discovery Health / Science Channel / Planet Green / Discovery Kids / Military Channel / Discovery News / Investigation Discovery / HD Theater / Turbo / FitTV / HowStuffWorks / TreeHugger / Petfinder / PetVideo / Discovery Education
VIDEO	Animal Planet Video Player
SHOP	Animal Planet Store / DVDs & Books / Custom Gear / Kids / Gifts Sets / Sale
MOBILE	Wallpapers & Ringtones / Mobile Video / Mobile Web / Games & Applications / Text Alerts
CUSTOMER SERVICE	Viewer Relations / Free Newsletters / RSS / Sitemap
CORPORATE	Discovery Communications, Inc / Advertising / Careers @ Discovery / Privacy Policy / Visitor Agreement

SITE SEARCH
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTERS