If I ask you to lay down reasons as to why do you love your cat, her quirky behaviour is most definitely going occupy the top spot.
While the quirky behavior does entertain us, these behaviors or physical activities help keep your cat healthy and stimulated.
Now we may think that the extent of some of these activities is just playful in nature.
But that is not the complete truth of the fact.
Making Sense Of The Wild
Cats are inherent predators.
And to support this predatory instinct most of these actions are etched in their memory and genetic system.
They carry out these tasks without hesitation and as a means to an end.
And I discussed this in my previous post on how to stop your cat from scratching that in the process of domestication though cats have evolved themselves to live with us.
They haven’t dropped some of their wild tendencies.
And as such some of these tendencies need to be expressed on a regular basis to keep them healthy, playful and joyful.
Many of these acts are innocent and borderline naughty but that doen’t mean they need to be STOPPED or discouraged.
The whole idea is to help provide them alternate forms of expression to these behaviors so that they don’t cause problems to you.
Here is the list of top 4 naughty behaviors that you must be witnessing on a daily basis that should not be discouraged.
1.Perching: Predatory Instinct Engrained In A Cat
As I mentioned cats are predators inherently.
Cats are excellent climbers and in the wild, cats use vantage points to strategize, hunt, observe potential prey and also to rest.
Your cat’s urge to climb all over the place is an extension of this wild behavior brought into your home.
In a direct sense your cat may not have any wild DNA in her bloodline, but this tendency goes deep into their psyche.
So if your cat’s tendency to perch and climbing high places and spaces is causing you inconvenience, you need to ensure you provide them their own designated places and spaces to perch and explore.
There are great many choices of well designed perches available in the market.
I will list out some of my favorite cat perches that you can buy with your eyes closed.
I will also list down the amazon bestsellers you wish to have more choices depending on your needs.
If you already don’t have perches installed in your home, you can’t imagine how happy you will feel seeing your cat perch, once you install them.
It’s one of those strange feeling of elation and happiness that you can’t explain.
So get one of these perches ASAP.
Best Cat Perches For Your Cat That You Can Get Right Now
1.K&H Deluxe Kitty Sill with Bolster – Best Cat perch With easy Installation
- CAT SUNBATHING: Bolstered elevated cat bed provides your cat with basking in the sun while looking out of the window, all while remaining cozy and protected inside the bolster walls
- REMOVABLE BOLSTER: This cat window hammock features as sleeping surface lined with soft velvety microfleece and the bolster zips off converting into a plush kitty sill in seconds
- EASY MOUNTING: Bolstered cat window perch requires no tools to assemble when using the included hook and loop fasteners, or can be mounted using the included screws, your choice
- MACHINE WASHABLE: Cat window perch has a soft removable cover and bolster that are both machine washable for easy care
- SIZING: This comfy cat hammock hanging cat bed is perfect for any size cat, measuring 14”x24”, and can support 40 pounds; 24"L x 2"D windowsill required
2.K&H EZ Mount Window Scratcher Kitty Cradle – Best Scratcher Perch
- EZ MOUNT: K&H EZ Mount products mount to most glass windows for easy tool free cat window perch assembly
- LARGE SCRATCHER: Large curved surface is great for scratching or basking in the sun and free catnip is included
- CURVED: When kitty isn’t scratching, they have a nice, curved sleeping surface cats love during after play naps in the sunshine on their cat hammock
- DURABLE: K&H cardboard cat scratchers and refills are made of superior cardboard that lasts longer than other scratchers
- HEALTHY: Cat window sill encourages your cat to scratch something other than your furniture, keeping their nails healthy
3.K&H EZ Window Mount Kitty Sill
- EZ MOUNT: Kitty Sill mounts to interior glass patio doors and windows and offers multiple levels that offer your cat a comfortable, fun and sunny spot with a bird's eye view
- STRONG & STURDY: Industrial-strength EZ Mount suction cups hold up to 50 lbs. and installs in seconds on glass windows or doors; remember to clean your window and suction cups monthly to ensure a tight seal (see window cleaning image)
- DURABLE: Reinforced high-grade sturdy steel frame for long-lasting durability cat perch for cats that love sunbathing
- FUNCTIONAL CAT WINDOW PERCH: Folds up to window so blinds and drapery can function normally (if kitty lets you)
- MACHINE WASHABLE: Shelf covers are removable and machine washable on this cat window hammock
Other Cat Perch Bestsellers At Amazon To Choose From
- Comfortable Cushion Bed Cover: This cat window perch is upgraded with thickened fluffy cushion bed cover, which give cats more comfort and safety while sleeping on it. The cover is made of soft plush fabric and cotton, perfect for keeping warm. Let your cats feel more comfortable while lying in this resting seat. It is of Velcro tape design, easy to remove for wash.
- Simple Assembly & Adjustment: The assembly of this cat window hammock is easy that only a few steps are taken to set it up. After the assembly is complete, you just need to screw the thumb screws to adjust the distance between hooks and supports to fit the thickness of your window sill. Avoid the hassle of twisting the screws with a wrench for each time.
- No Drilling & Suction Cups Needer for Installation: This cat bed is fixed on the carrier by two metal hook and supported by two wooden supports, without the need to damage the wall and the worry of the suction cups falling off. The metal hooks are widened. The contact surface with the windowsill is larger that protects your window from being damaged by the concentrated force.
- Large Space Cat Window Perch: The size of the medium cat sill window perch is large enough for large cat. The main frame of this cat bed is made of thickened wood and hard metal. It is of great safety that it can holds up to 40lbs firmly on the window.
- Wide-range Use: AMOSIJOY cat bed is design for using on window sills. Cats can enjoy sunbathing and watching outside on it. It can also be placed on the bedsides, allowing you and your cat to accompany each other and keeping cat hair from getting all over the bed. Drawers, cabinets would also be the applicable places.
- WHY A CAT TREE: Are you afraid your cat will feel boring when staying home alone? This cat tree is thoughtfully designed to provide cats with a reliable vertical playground for routine and leisure times. Every cat will find their favorite things, from lying around, scratching, stretching to playing with friends
- WIDE TOP PERCH: Our cat house features a 20.5’’ L x 15’’ W top perch, which allows medium-sized cats to lie down or stretch their legs comfortably. With the perfect height, your feline friends could stay there to look around freely without blocking your views
- STURDY AND STABLE: Made of CARB P2-compliant particle boards and built in a solid structure, this cat tree holds a high load capacity of up to 5kg/11lb for the condo and top perch. Supported by three thick wooden stacks, this cat tower is sturdy enough for pets to climb up and down stably and safely
- SOFT & WARM: This small cat tree is fully covered with soft and skin-friendly plush fabric, bringing your kittens with ultimate comfort and keeping them warm all the time. Unlike cat towers with hard surfaces, it will be more inviting for cats to lie down for a short nap or longer sleep. Don’t need to worry about your cat ignoring the cat tree anymore
- HAVE LOTS OF FUN: The square condo is built close to the ground, so kittens could effortlessly get into their sleeping bed. The tall sisal-wrapped scratch posts allow cats to file their nails as needed, rather than damaging your furniture. The dangling ball with a small bell is easy to play with and encourages cats to play together
- Cordless Cat Hammock：Cordless cat hammock, let your cats freely jump up and down among several beds without being stumbled by rope in support frame. This cat bed provides enough space for cats. Its frame is made of paint stainless steel material and connected by hardware, durable and steady from sun and wind, no distortion and no break. The cat bed is with strong bearing force, supporting up to 30lbs.
- Foldable& Saving Place：This cat hammock is designed to be foldable, convenient and easy to restore. When it is not in use, you just need to fold it up without the need of taking the whole of it off. Just Put it down whenever you use it, saving space and won’t affect your daily lives. While mounting on the window, it won’t take up the space - just by folding it up whenever pull the curtain.
- Strong Suction Cups：AMOSIJOY cat hammock is installed by sticking the suction cups to the glass. It can be firmly mounted on window by 4 suction cups with strong suction power that are enlarged the diameter: 3.3 inches. Besides, a DIY ladder consists of 2~3 hammocks is suitable for cats who love to climb.
- Reversible Two Fabrics Cover：One cat bed comes with a cover made of two different kinds of fabrics. You can change the cover at any time to adapt to different seasons and different room temperature. One is breathable sandwich mesh, which can help dissipate heat. Another is soft faux rabbit fur plush, which helps keep warm. Both of them are bite and scratch resistant, with no chemical smell. Cats can freely amuse themselves in this comfortable bed. The cloth cover is also removable for wash.
- 360°Window Perch：Cats love warmth, it is ideal for them to bask under the sun, enjoying sunbathing. They can also enjoy climbing up to the hammock and down, getting a 360°full view of the surroundings. On a sunny afternoon, enjoy languid hours with the dozing cats.
2. The Tendency To Scratch.
So does your cat scratch a lot?
Is she taking the scratching to your doors and furniture?
- Don’t worry read this 10 day step by step systematic guide to stop your cat from scratching your furniture.
In the post I actually went into details of how cats have evolved from being well accustomed to wilderness to being our furry family.
Scratching is yet another wild tendency that carry forward from their time in the wild.
A Cat’s claw is their primary tool of defence in the wild.
So they tend to keep their tools ready if they need them in the wild by removing any excess husk on the claws.
Scratching isn’t just limited to defensive purposes of course because our domestic cats know they are rarely going to encounter conflict.
Cats also use sractching as a means to mark their territory via scratch marks and the scent from the gland in their paws.
Scratching is also a means to stretch their muscles before or after cats nap to keep the agility in the body ready and on point.
Now you understand cats don’t really have anything against your precious furniture.
They are just being cats you see.
So the trick as I explained in my post on cats scratching furniture is, to give them something better to scratch.
Sisal fabric holds special appeal to cats and they love to scratch that thing.
So whenever you choose to buy a scratching post make sure it is covered by sisal fabric.
I have listed out and reviewed some of the best scratching post that you can buty for your cats here.
Also, take a look at some of these scratching posts that people are loving.
- Scratching post provides a place for cats to sharpen their claws and keep nails healthy
- Includes a single pillar scratching post in neutral colors with a replaceable dangle toy
- Natural jute fiber provides an optimal scratching surface
- Sturdy wood base helps prevent the post from tipping
- Ideal for redirecting cats away from scratching household carpet or furniture; spot clean as needed
- Premium Quality Materials - This product is made of 100% natural sisal hemp.The base and top is a weighted MDF covering the carpet.Nature High Quality Sisal Safe Plush Long Lasting Usage Stable basement, never tip over easily.
- Protect your furniture - Grab sticks and plush toys combine to attract cats to play and grab, natural sisal is suitable for cats to grab, effectively preventing cats from grabbing furniture
- Designed for indoor use - Neutral colors work well with existing decor in your home.ideal for any living room, bedroom, or home office
- 22"Tall Cat Scratching Post -11.8 x 11.8 x 22 Inches,design for kitties or smaller cats.
- Easy Assemble - ust screw all parts together,Assemble needed, all tools and instructions included.Please contact us if you have any further questions.
- Premium Interactive Cat Scratchers - Available in a classic cat scratching board or our unique hanging cat scratching mat these cat toys are great for strengthening claws, satisfying scratching behaviors, and deterring pets from damaging furniture
- Heavy-Duty Sisal Material - Our cat sloped scratcher are made with durable sisal material that's stronger, more resilient, and less messy for longer-lasting indoor use
- Keep Furniture Better Protected - Giving your pet a cat post scratcher can help them act out their natural cat behaviors and deter them from scratching leg and chair posts, couch and sofa arms, and other furniture to keep them looking nice and clean
- Engaging Shapes and Designs - The unique lounge style cat scratcher tool is great for climbing, walking, or relaxing and the tall cat scratcher post lets them jump and climb or stretch and scratch to give them multiple ways to play and learn
- Long-Lasting Indoor Play Support - Carboard cat scratchers need to be replaced regularly and require you to pick up a ton of mess when your pets are done, but sisal material doesn't breakdown as easily to minimize the extra cleanup you have to do
Playful Attacks On You
You will find kittens doing this more than the adult cats.
But this behavior it can also be observed in some adult cats as well where they plafuly fight you or your rapidly moving fingers.
Cats tend to express sudden bursts of energy as I am sure you might have observed.
Freaking out in the middle of the night and running all over the place, playing with her favorite cat toys and protecting soccer goals it seems.
A cat’s predatory body is designed such that they express this sudden display of energy after being stealthy to mostly catch their prey.
And therefore, you fill find your cat to be at her happiest self when she is active, agile and sufficiently stimulated.
If you happen to find your cat being restless and attacking you especially when you are ignoring her, it means she is bored and wants engagement.
If she makes a routine out of attacking you and is doing so on a reular basis, your cat is bored out of her wits and the accumulated energy is anxious to find release.
Get some good cat toys or create some of your own to help your cat play and express her agilty.
- 1. KEEP CATS VERY ENTERTAINED : Cats are crazy about chaser games! Combine string and feather into a great cat toys for indoor cats, this cat toy is an irresistible lure for cats! Swing the feathers " cat lure " will get your cats excited and stimulate their natural " hunt instinct ", making them run and jump like a wild animal, driving your cats crazy with joy! Even adult cat play like a kitten again!
- 2. CLASSIC PRACTICAL INTERACTIVE CAT TOY : This cat wand toy can really get your cats to do a lot exercise while entertainment, release their energy, feeling happy and relaxed. Also it's fun to watch cats go nuts for this cat feather toy . Spend some quality time with your feline friend, your companionship and interaction are the happiest things in their lives
- 3. CAT TOYS INTERACTIVE FOR INDOOR CATS : Pack includes: 2PCS Cat Wand + 9PCS Feather Worms Replacements + 2PCS Extra Strings with Clasp. This cat stick toy can be used for longer periods of time. The variety attachments can hook on other cat teaser toy and dangling toy. Feathers like bird and the worm cat toy like tail, are the cats favorite teaser. This is great cat toys for bored indoor adult cats and also kitten
- 4. TELESCOPIC CAT FISHING POLE TOY DESIGN : This cat toy wand extends from 15” in to 38.9”. Very lightweight, flexible, durable, portable and easy to store. The fully extend cat feather wand is extra long ( 38.9 in) plus the string (23.6in) which cover a large space for playing. Cat-teasing is no longer a tough job for you. You can even sit on the couch watching TV while teasing cats with this cat toys
- 5. HIGH QUALITY AND SAFETY : The feather cat toy made from Safe, natural feather. The telescopic cat feather wand made of new material with higher elasticity and hardness. Our clasp is easy to open and close for changing feathers
- Teething Fun: Ideal for kittens and cats alike, these chew toys are an essential addition to your kitty’s dental care. With natural gall fruit and rope design, the toys are perfect for teething and teeth cleaning, they combat tartar and freshen breath, making dental hygiene a fun activity for your little one!
- Infused with Catnip Aroma: The included catnip bag emits a soothing aroma that's irresistible to felines, ensuring these toys are a calming and engaging presence for indoor play. Our cat toys provide the calming, meow-inducing fun every kitten craves, along with a funny and interactive experience.
- Energetic Exercise: Promote healthy exercise and self-play with our toys' appealing textures and tassels. They’re designed to entice your kitty to bite and play aggressively without harm, offering hours of exercise and self-amusement, keeping your cat active and happy.
- Quiet Play: These soft colorful ropes provide enriching quiet playtime without bothering cat owner's sleep or life. Your kitty will love the funny snake-like shapes, enhancing their playtime with every pounce and bite.
- Safe and Organic: These chew toys, handcrafted without any metal wire and using organic cotton rope, are safe for all cats. Paired with a reusable catnip bag, they’re an essential, eco-friendly addition to your cat’s enrichment collection.
- 4 Bright Colors: Cats like bright colors. Our cat plastic springs are composed of 4 classic colors of yellow, green, pink( some are red) and blue, which attracts the cat's attention
- Sturdy and Long-lasting: This kitty Spiral Springs are made of quality plastic. The thick 1.8mm spring toy makes cats bite freely. The length of compression of the spring is 0.616in; The spring normal length is 2.137in; The diameter of the spring is 0.868in; The thickness of the spring is 0.078in
- Release the Nature of the Cat: Press this cat springs to let the cat chase, bounce, grind their teeth, and enjoy the fun that this toy brings to them, so that cats no longer lazy and like moving
- Interactive Cat Toy: The owner can throw this spring toy on the ground, and he will bounce up and catch the cat's attention! cat string toy’s edges are trimmed by us. I hope your cat has fun
- Soft and Elastic: This cat spring toy is soft and super elasticity! Lightweight and bounce
- 【Can Play On Any Floor】The powerful motor enables the interactive cat ball toy to move quickly on thick carpets, thin carpets, and hard floors. However, the movement speed on carpets is slightly slower than that on hard floors. If you notice a significant slowdown in running speed compared to before, follow the instructions to clean the hair on the connecting rod
- 【Skin-friendly Material】The surface of the ball is made of flocking and silica gel. The fluffy touch makes cats willing to get close to it. The 2.3-inch size is suitable for adult cats and kittens. You can regularly wipe the dirt on the surface of the toy ball
- 【Two Interaction Modes】Press and hold the button for 1 second to activate the slow mode (the red light flashes and then turns off). It is suitable for timid, less active, or older cats. We have specifically turned off the light for these cats to avoid scaring or harming their eyes. Press the button again briefly to switch to the fast mode (the blue light is on continuously). This mode is applicable to all surfaces such as carpets and hard floors and is ideal for bold and energetic adult cats
- 【Interesting Tail Accessory】The elastic tail accessory and the ball move quickly together, making cats think this is an agile mouse and go crazy for it. In the package, we have included two tail accessories for your convenience to replace
- 【Motion Activatied】After the cat toy is turned on and you play with your cat for 3 minutes, it enters standby mode. When your cat pats or touches it again, it will be reactivated to play with your cat for another three minutes. During each activation, a bird chirping sound will be emitted to attract cats to chase and catch, stimulating their hunting instincts
- Warm Reminder: This is a randomly assembled product bundle. We will periodically update the toys included, so the styles and colors of the toys may differ from the pictures. It contains 20 different toys, including Cat wand toy, cat ball toys, catnip mice, rattle toys, feather toys, and more.
- Keep your cat busy when you are away.
- Give your cat a way to release his energy with this combo pack of entertaining toys. Featuring feathers, balls and catnip, mice and more this pack is the perfect choice for your furry friend.
- Contains small ball,Always supervise your pet when playing with toys.This toys is strong but not indestructible.Do not allow pets to play with broken or damaged toys!For play only. Not a child''s toy. Toy should be removed and replaced if excessive wear or damage occurs.
- Holiday, birthday or everyday, this cat treats/toys gift set is just what your kitty ordered.
Make it a point to devote some time and energy in playing with your cat everyday.
Don’t worry they won’t keep you engaged all day.
As soon as they have released the necessary energy they will just stop, roll over and show you your belly telling you that they are happy and content now.
If your home house a single cat you most definitely will need to keep your cat engaged in this way.
A house with multiple cats or cats and dogs don’t usually face this problems because they slap each other or their slave dog sufficiently to ensure they are well exercised.
Excessive Meows
Once cats are out of kittenhood to a large extent they stop using meows to communicate with one another.
They keep the meowing to communicate just with you.
In addition to meows, cats use a variety of sounds to communicate what they have in their minds with their owners.
- Also Read : What Is Your Cat’s tail Trying To tell You.
Over time most cat owners learn what it is that their cats are trying to say when they meow in different ways.
But in many occasions you may find them meowing more than what you expect them to.
If your cat is meowing at you excessively, there are a number of reasons why she may be doing that.
While some of these meows are just simple demands, many a times the excessive meowing cat be a sign of illness or behavioral issue.
Cats meowing for playful reasons will not be loud and will usually be accompanied by her rolling over or similar signs of joy and comfort.
Such meowing will clearly be a sign from your cat that she needs attention and you better give it to her.
Always remember that a tired cat is a quiet cat therefore all these signs must be given due attention to.
So that when the day is down she will sleep like a log and will let you sleep as well.
But if your cat is meowing really loudly especially when you pick her up may mean she is in pain and distress and make it a point to take her to the vet asap.
All of these are subtle playful and naughty signs that should not be ignored, discouraged or suppressed.
Doing so will render your cat to develop erratic behavior patterns including biting and aggression.
Cats are simple beings and need just these little things to keep them happy, healthy, playful and joyful.
So to conclude all I will say is, pay attention to her, see what she needs, make the house she has chosen to be in a great ecosystem for her to evolve and both of you will be fine.
Take great care of yourselves and your cat and I will see you in the next one.
Tada!
Hello. Great job. I did not expect this. This is a great story.
Thanks!