Cats are endlessly intriguing animals, known for their independence, intelligence, and sometimes downright baffling behaviors.
While many cat parents have come to accept their feline’s quirky antics as part of the charm, some of these behaviors have deep-rooted explanations linked to instinct, evolution, or communication.
By understanding these peculiar habits, we can better understand our cats' needs, emotions, and interactions with their environment. Cats may seem unpredictable, but there is always a reason behind their weird behaviors.
If your cat suddenly starts a new behavior that is out of character for them (like sleeping in their litter box, for example), always check with your vet as sometimes cats can ‘act out’ to let us know that something is wrong.
I'm a clinical feline behaviorist at Kittysitty with more than 30 years of experience caring for cats. Below, I've explained 10 of the weirdest cat behaviors:
Weird cat behaviors explained
1. Chirping at birds
If you have ever watched your cat stare out the window at birds while making rapid, high-pitched chirping or chattering sounds, you’re not alone.
This unusual vocalization is thought to be tied to their hunting instincts. Some experts believe it’s a form of frustration, as your cat is watching prey it can’t physically reach.
Some behaviorists also suggest that the chattering motion may be an involuntary response – almost like a muscle reflex – as cats prepare their jaws for a quick, precise kill. Whatever the reason, it is a behavior deeply ingrained in their predatory nature.
2. The 3AM zoomies
As you settle into a deep sleep, your cat bolts frenetically through the house at top speed, bouncing off furniture and skidding across the floor.
This phenomenon, commonly called the “zoomies,” is a natural way for cats to release built-up energy. Unlike humans, cats don’t have a structured sleep schedule – they follow a crepuscular circadian rhythm, meaning they’re most active at dawn and dusk.
These are prime hunting times in the wild, so domesticated cats retain this instinct, even if they live indoors. If your cat regularly gets the zoomies at night, increasing their physical activity during the day and engaging in a play session before bedtime can help curb this nocturnal burst of energy.
3. Knocking things off the table
Many cat owners have witnessed their feline methodically pushing an object toward the edge of a table before sending it tumbling to the floor.
While it might seem like pure mischief, this behavior is tied to a cat’s natural curiosity and hunting instincts. In the wild, cats use their paws to test whether prey is still alive, and this behavior may stem from that instinct.
Another reason could be simple attention-seeking – if your cat notices that knocking something over gets a reaction from you, they may repeat the behavior to engage with you, relieving boredom.
Increasing play activity can help reduce this behavior, or ignoring it entirely, such as engaging in this game, will only reward the cat and cause it to perpetuate.
If that's the case, you might want to read our guide on how to play with a cat.
4. Cats have emotions
Cats are often perceived as independent and aloof, but they are highly emotional creatures capable of experiencing complex feelings, including jealousy and sadness.
While their emotions may not manifest in the same way as humans, studies and anecdotal evidence suggest that cats can feel possessive when their routines, relationships, or territory are disrupted.
Changes in attention levels can also trigger these emotions, as cats form deep bonds with their owners and can feel left out when their social dynamic shifts.
Similarly, cats are capable of experiencing sadness, particularly in response to loss or significant environmental changes. A cat mourning the absence of a companion, whether another pet or a beloved human, may display symptoms similar to grief in humans.
These can include a loss of appetite, withdrawal from social interactions, excessive sleeping, or even vocalizing in distress.
Cats are also susceptible to their owner’s emotions, often mirroring their feelings, which means a stressed or grieving human can unintentionally contribute to their cat’s sadness.
5. Random biting during petting
Many cat owners have experienced the confusing moment when a purring, content cat suddenly turns and gives a quick bite during a petting session.
This is often called “petting-induced aggression” and is usually caused by overstimulation. While gentle stroking may feel pleasant initially, repetitive touch can become overwhelming for some cats, leading to a reflexive bite.
Signs that your cat is reaching their threshold include tail twitching, ears rotating backward, or skin rippling. Paying attention to these cues and stopping petting before your cat becomes irritated can prevent these sudden nips.
6. Bringing you gifts
Finding a toy, sock, or even a dead mouse dropped at your feet might seem unsettling, but this is an act of generosity in your cat's mind.
Mother cats teach their young how to hunt in the wild by bringing them food. Some behaviorists believe that when your cat brings you a “gift”, they treat you like a social group member – perhaps even trying to teach you how to hunt.
While it may not be the most welcome present, it’s a sign that your cat sees you as part of their family.
7. Kneading with their paws
Milk treading or kneading, often called “making biscuits,” is when a cat rhythmically presses its paws into a soft surface, such as a blanket, pillow, or even their human.
This behavior originates from kittenhood when they knead their mother’s milk ducts around the teat to stimulate milk flow. Many cats continue this habit into adulthood to self-soothe and express comfort.
Kneading also serves another purpose – cats have scent glands in their paw pads, so by kneading, they mark their territory and reinforce their claim on a particular space or person.
8. Sitting in small boxes or on anything you're using
It’s a common scenario: you order an expensive cat bed, but your cat prefers to sleep in the cardboard box it came in. This is because cats are instinctively drawn to enclosed spaces, which provide security and warmth. Cats like boxes because they offer protection from potential threats, making them a perfect hideaway.
Similarly, if your cat frequently sits on your laptop, book, or laundry, it’s likely because these items carry your scent, and your cat wants to claim them as their own by mixing their scent with yours as well as directing your attention away from work and onto them!
9. Tail quivering
A cat approaching you with an upright tail that quivers slightly isn’t getting ready to spray – it’s a sign of excitement and affection. This behavior is commonly observed when a cat greets their favorite human after a period of separation.
It’s a way of showing enthusiasm and joy, much like a dog wagging its tail. Some cats may even do this when they see their food being prepared or when they are in an exceptionally playful mood.
10. Licking your hair
Ever wondered why cats lick you? Cats lick human hair as a form of social bonding, similar to how they groom other cats in their colony to reinforce relationships.
They may also be drawn to the scent and texture of wet hair, as it mimics the damp fur of another animal, triggering their natural grooming instincts.
Licking human hair also helps cats mark their territory and reinforce their bond with their owners. Cats have scent glands in their saliva, and by licking your hair, they are effectively transferring their scent onto you.
This form of scent marking helps them feel more secure as it mixes their scent with yours, creating a familiar, comforting smell.
Enjoyed this? You might also want to read these interesting cat facts or the daily thoughts of a cat owner.
Practicing as a full clinical animal behaviorist member, Amanda's passion is cats. She helps to correct all their quirky unwanted issues, anxiety, and stresses that can manifest from time to time. Amanda has worked alongside charities for many years, helping to rehabilitate cats from surrender and euthanasia. She previously had her own cattery, fostering and rehabilitating traumatized shelter cats, enabling them to go in to have happy lives with their new owners. She loves engaging with the cat caregivers and deciphering what problems they are having, as well as using her detective skills to find out what the cats’ problems are. As a CAB, she assists with a wide range of feline behaviors but the most rewarding to her is to see a previously traumatized or anxious cat start to trust again which is life-changing for the cat.
Edited by Megan Milstead.
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This page was last updated on March 12.
