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You are here: Home / Kitty Wisdom / Seven Typical Cat Behaviors That Mystify Humans

Seven Typical Cat Behaviors That Mystify Humans

May 2, 2018 By: Summer Samba49 Comments

Seven Typical Cat Behaviors That Mystify Humans

I meet all sorts of people, especially at hospitals, and can you believe that some of them know nothing about kitties? Like I’ll do some typical cat behavior, and they’ll wonder why, or they’ll be startled. I thought it would be fun to put together a list of common things cats do (that most of my readers are very familiar with) that surprise people who don’t usually hang around cats.

  1. Elevator Butt. People pat me on that awesome part of my back end where my tail meets my body, and I immediately raise both my tail and behind. That’s because it feels so good! A lot of people think it is strange. Actually not all cats do it. Binga doesn’t, although she will stand up on her tippy toes. But I’ll raise my behind almost always.
  2. Ear Flicking. This is the opposite of the pleasurable elevator butt move. Sometimes when people go to pet me on the head, they graze my one of my ears and I’ll flick it. If they aren’t used to cats, this scares them, and they may pull their hand away. It’s not that big of a deal, really. Most cats don’t like their ears being touched, so it’s just a reflex to flick them. Sometimes a cat will pull her ears back just a little so that they don’t get touched unexpectedly. I don’t, so they are often in the way when people pet me.
  3. Happy Paws. Some people call it “making biscuits,” but I prefer happy paws because that’s a more accurate description of what’s going on. I do my little happy paws massage when I’m busy with therapy cat work at a hospital. I’ll lie next to a bedridden patient, purr, and make happy paws. It almost always helps the sick human feel better. Most cats make happy paws when they are lying with their own humans and are totally content and comfortable. Almost the only time I do them is with a patient.
  4. Face Rubs. Most people instinctively understand that a face rub is a friendly greeting. That’s all they need to know, really. They don’t have to know the secret part, that I’m marking them with my scent. I do like mingling my scent with humans, and yes, it’s a friendly thing. It’s not really a possessive thing when it’s with a stranger.
  5. Flopping. I do this all the time at cat shows when I want to sack out. I’ll go into my enclosure and flop down on the bed. When I do this, it means I’ll still welcome pets and visits, especially if I turn upside down and expose my belly. If I just curl up and don’t flop, it means I would prefer to nap undisturbed for a little bit.
  6. Welcoming Belly Rubs. The more experienced cat people are the ones who are the most surprised by this, because they’ve usually dealt with cats (often their own) who latch onto them with the Claws of Doom when a human touches their belly. I love having my belly rubbed. It actually runs in the family. My half-brother Decker, who lives in Denmark now, really enjoyed having my human rub his belly. My nephew, Crazy Louie, on the other hand, gets a little over stimulated, but that is because he is such a nut!
  7. Kitty Kisses. If a human (usually a patient) is really, really lucky, I will give them a lick. A cat licking you is more special than when a dog does it, but people often don’t realize it. For dogs, licking is their most common sign of friendliness. Cats usually don’t do it, so it means something special when a kitty licks you. Binga and Crazy Louie give kitty kisses often. I only do it on very rare occasions. So if you ever meet me and I give you a lick, know that I really like you a lot! Or that you had something tasty for lunch.

Bonus cat behavior for really inexperienced humans: Purrs mean we’re happy. We are not growling!

Are there any cat behaviors that mystify you?

* * *

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Comments

  1. Dirisha says

    March 13, 2020 at 4:04 pm

    Good to know

    Reply
  2. Selina says

    March 13, 2020 at 3:00 pm

    Ray stands on his tiptoes when you scratch the butt-tail intersection. His tail goes straight up but he doesn’t do the elevator.

    And I give KM kisses all the time!

    Purrz!
    Selina

    Reply
  3. marv says

    March 13, 2020 at 12:43 pm

    I Marvelous, do ALL of those including the long slow blink to tell my human I love her!
    Purrs
    Marv

    Reply
  4. Lesley Castle says

    March 13, 2020 at 12:26 pm

    So funny and informative!

    Reply
  5. Xenabobb says

    October 7, 2019 at 9:55 am

    Why does Shawn have to be the first one in the litter box after it’s been cleaned?

    Reply
  6. Priscilla King says

    June 20, 2018 at 12:54 pm

    Serena is an only kitten (4 kittens born a day or two too early, only 1 lived) who constantly tries to recruit everyone around her into kitten games. I’m sure a lot of people would think she’s a vicious animal who attacks humans–she bites, grabs, claws, kicks, growls, and hisses–but it’s just the way she’d play with siblings, if she had siblings. She doesn’t mean any harm. She’s very fond of anyone who tolerates her play-wrestling. Last night I told her “That hurt,” as she was clinging to my hand with all 18 claws and chewing on it. She immediately let go, then clasped my hand between soft little paws and licked it.

    She is the most aggressive female cat I’ve ever seen, and her mother Samantha held that title before Serena came along. In fact when she first arrived, scared and stressed out, Samantha put up some serious fights–panic biting, not attacking, but she bit me hard.

    I’m sure a Humane Society shelter policy would require both of them to be put down. Me? I wouldn’t let a family with children adopt them. But (I think) I understand why they bite and scratch, and have a chance of toning down that behavior enough to keep them as Purrmanent Residents, anyway. They’re *clever* cats with a great intuitive understanding of human words (except for a few words like “stop,” which no cat wants to believe has a meaning).

    Reply
  7. riverfrontcats says

    June 3, 2018 at 10:35 am

    Not all cats like their belly rubbed, specially the ones that had been spayed/neutered but the ones that do absolutely love it. I’m glad you do, it does feels nice!

    Reply
  8. Cat Scout ChaRles says

    June 3, 2018 at 3:17 am

    Wonderful explanation of cat behavior. I especially like it when the area just before my tail is scratched. In response I do a tippy toe dance

    Reply
  9. Toffee Ripple Fuzzypants says

    June 2, 2018 at 7:53 pm

    Summer,
    Yoo are so smart to make this list!
    Toffee

    Reply
  10. Teddy says

    May 17, 2018 at 5:08 am

    Oh I love to give my Mom a face “hug” and she knows I’m scent-marking but that’s OK with her because she already KNOWS that she belongs to ME ME ME ME! The happy paws thing (which is what my Mom calls that behavior too) is something I frequently do……and when I was at the shelter and Mom and Dad came into the room I immediately began doing that – – – and didn’t stop for one second until they adopted me, put me in the PTU and took me HOME with them!

    Tricky huh?
    Hugs, Teddy

    Reply
  11. The Cat Moment says

    May 9, 2018 at 11:01 am

    Purring doesn’t always mean a cat is happy. It is also an appeasement signal. A cat that finds itself in an anxiety situation can start purring to calm itself. Also, when we have to put down a cat at the clinic, it will often purr because it knows that something is different, it is really heartbreaking…
    Every behavior your cat exhibit have a different meaning depending of the context!

    Anyway, it is a good and funny article Summer, keep up the good work! 🙂

    Reply
  12. Patzy says

    May 3, 2018 at 7:15 pm

    I like belly rubs for a short while, then I grab and ask mommy to stop. I also let mommy massage and hold my paws. It’s all about how much you trust whoever is rubbing your belly and also massaging your paws and how often you do it to get your kitty used to it. Me, I pretty much like it from my mommy. From a stranger, maybe not so much.
    Patzy

    Reply
  13. Athena says

    May 3, 2018 at 11:10 am

    I do the elevator butt too!

    Reply
  14. Valentine says

    May 3, 2018 at 10:27 am

    What grr-eat explanations you’ve given, Summer! Like you, I enjoy having my belly rubbed and I lift my bum when I get “Elevator Butt” too when petted. Tee hee hee. I give licks when given soothing scratches on my chest and my back. Mom says it’s like a reflex action when I do that.

    Reply
  15. Leah says

    May 3, 2018 at 5:19 am

    I wish my cat Beakho would lick me 🙁 He often “smells” my lips, I think he wants to check if I ate somethings delicious :p but never lick 🙁 He allows me to do the belly rub sometimes. Thank you for sharing, Summer!

    Reply
  16. Raven says

    May 2, 2018 at 9:55 pm

    All of us kitties do one or more of those behaviors. Mom always says “thank you” when I lick her….unless I lick her hair and then she makes me stop.

    Reply
  17. Spitty the Kitty says

    May 2, 2018 at 8:46 pm

    I LOVED reading those, Summer. But you know what would be really fun? Yeah: Seven things about Humans that mystify any rational, thinking feline. Except that list would be more like 700 things.

    Reply
    • Summer Samba says

      May 2, 2018 at 11:49 pm

      Already been done: https://www.sparklecat.com/special/9-things-humans-cats-think-weird

      Reply
  18. caren gittleman says

    May 2, 2018 at 7:03 pm

    actually I think those are mystifying to those that DON’T have cats or don’t understand them. They aren’t mystifying to me. Cody also LOVES having his belly rubbed and my Angel Bobo hated it. Just like all of us are different, the kitties are too (which you know!)

    Reply
  19. Just Ducky says

    May 2, 2018 at 6:47 pm

    Mum says it is wanting to sit on her when it is hot outside and inside. When I sit on her, I just make her warmer or sometimes too warm.

    Reply
  20. meowmeowmans says

    May 2, 2018 at 6:45 pm

    These are great, Summer! You know what? Every single cat we’ve had likes belly rubs. 🙂

    Reply
  21. BeadedTail says

    May 2, 2018 at 6:05 pm

    We do each of those things too! We give most kisses at night since it gets the biggest reaction.

    Reply
  22. William's Kith & Kin says

    May 2, 2018 at 5:06 pm

    Here, Izzy is the big kissie-face. He loves to kiss our mom but is the only one of us who will not let her kiss him back!

    Reply
  23. Ellen Pilch says

    May 2, 2018 at 3:49 pm

    Thank you for explaining these things to us. Joanie gives me kisses sometimes. And thank you for the condolences on my blog over my recent loss, they are appreciated. XO

    Reply
  24. Melissa & Mudpie says

    May 2, 2018 at 3:13 pm

    Mudpie does each one of those things too! She also enjoys “spankings” even though the way she carries on you’d think she hates it! LOL

    Reply
  25. CRAIG S. C. OKAJIMA says

    May 2, 2018 at 2:46 pm

    Pretty Summer, both times that I petted you at the cat shows, you did Elevator Butt!!

    My Sydney rolls on her back, in what I call her “trying to be cute” pose! I also call it the “Otter Pose.”

    One month after bringing Sydney home, she was on my chest, and kneaded me on the NECK! Looking relaxed, like a tiger, and purring loudly and happily!

    When she kneaded my KNEES, that was when I got tendonitis, and couldn’t play basketball for two weeks! (I was out of shape, too)

    Reply
  26. The Poupounette Gang says

    May 2, 2018 at 2:39 pm

    We love belly rubs, we give kisses, Da Beebs loves to have his ears rubbed!!!

    Purrs,
    The Chans

    Reply
  27. LoneStarCATS says

    May 2, 2018 at 2:12 pm

    I LOVE doing happy paws/making biscuits.

    Reply
  28. Seville at Nerissa's Life says

    May 2, 2018 at 1:32 pm

    I do the elevator butt! Oh yeah, it DOES feel good. Mason does it, too, but won’t admit it. Sisters can be silly. purrs

    Reply
  29. Ginav24 says

    May 2, 2018 at 12:59 pm

    Really nice of you to explain those things since many people don’t know what it all means. One of my girls loves belly rubs, the other one not at all, but she is one who grooms me. I enjoyed reading all of the meaning of cat behavior.

    Reply
  30. ERin the Cat (Princess) says

    May 2, 2018 at 12:08 pm

    Thank you for explaining those. I prefer your ‘happy paws’ description to ‘making biscuits’ not least because I tried to make them once and Mrs H barred me from ever doing it again! MOL
    I bet a lot of your hospital patients are really pleased to have the common myths dispelled, and maybe it will mean they will enjoy cats more in future, too…
    Toodle pips and purrs
    ERin

    Reply
  31. Purrjamm Cats says

    May 2, 2018 at 11:26 am

    Does you mom trim your nails for therapurr visits/hospital visits or do you go to salon to have it done? We are just wondering. Out of us all, Sir Morton and Lilly Catmousekey are the only ones that lick mom. Lilly likes to groom mom’s hair sometimes. She’s silly. Great explanation on the happy trademarks of a kitty. Love the post! Purrs

    Reply
    • Summer Samba says

      May 2, 2018 at 4:22 pm

      My human does ALL our pawdicures herself. She actually does a much better job on us than on her own claws, I mean fingernails.

      Reply
  32. Cathy Keisha says

    May 2, 2018 at 10:32 am

    I’d appreciate the elevator butt pettings more if TW didn’t sing to me.

    Reply
  33. Eastside Cats says

    May 2, 2018 at 9:49 am

    The Hubby gives me grief, when Angel flicks her ears due to my petting. I cannot help it; the top of her head is so soft!

    Reply
  34. Grace says

    May 2, 2018 at 9:38 am

    Yup, I knew all that, tho we call it ‘happy feet’. Of course cats do growl, the first time I heard I was so surprised. Obviously it was because the cat was extremely upset but still. And your beauty shot is bee-you-ti-ful.

    Reply
  35. dma says

    May 2, 2018 at 8:47 am

    when i have bare legs, theo loves to lick them. particularly right after i get out of the shower…

    Reply
  36. Catatopia says

    May 2, 2018 at 7:29 am

    One of my cats runs and grabs my ankle when I pick up another cat. Not sure if he’s protecting the other kitty, jealous or something else.

    Reply
  37. Meezer's Mews & Terrieristical Woofs says

    May 2, 2018 at 6:30 am

    We have had several kitties here who loved to lick our hair. And some gave kitty kisses, but not I, well hardly ever, MOL!
    Petcretary has learned about all those other things over the years. When she started with kitties, back in 1988, she knew nothing!
    I like the slow blink ‘kiss from afar’ behavior:)

    Reply
  38. Drew says

    May 2, 2018 at 6:17 am

    Louie loves to lick and hug and make happy paws!

    Reply
  39. The Island Cats says

    May 2, 2018 at 5:37 am

    The one the mom doesn’t understand is why I run like a bat outta h*ll all over the house after I use the litter box. ~Ernie

    Reply
  40. Madi and Mom says

    May 2, 2018 at 4:58 am

    Summer I hope all those crazy peeps out there who think cats are ‘odd’ and have no emotions…read this wonderful post.
    MOL Mom says I might have a bit of spit and vinegar too
    OMCs due to my wonderful vet I’m back to ME!! I had a yummy supper and snack before bedtime.

    Mom told Dad I was back to my old tricks already. (jumping on my window perch and sashaying over to her bowl of Cheerios).
    Hugs madi your bfff

    Reply
  41. Brian Frum says

    May 2, 2018 at 4:54 am

    I do believe we’ve got all of those covered though, silly humans!

    Reply
  42. Margie says

    May 2, 2018 at 4:44 am

    LG gives Mom licks a lot.

    Reply
  43. Toby and Leia says

    May 2, 2018 at 3:42 am

    We do elevator butt here too. And happy paws. And of course, purring!

    Reply
  44. Charles Huss says

    May 2, 2018 at 3:27 am

    All of our cats have elevator butts and Chris and Frankie both give “love bites” too, although Chris is excessive with the biting.

    Reply
  45. The Dash Kitten Crew says

    May 2, 2018 at 1:03 am

    Our Sienna licks sometimes. She hides if she gets tired though!

    Reply
  46. The kitties of PURRING pines says

    May 2, 2018 at 12:47 am

    Jonah loves licking my face in the middle of the night.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. A Trip to the Pet Store | SparkleCat says:
    June 15, 2018 at 12:11 am

    […] back until checkout. Do you know, the checkout girl didn’t know what it meant when I did the elevator butt? That should have been on the test she took to get the job! (They do have to take tests to work […]

    Reply

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