Cat’s are very special lovable creatures. Some more than others can have the strangest of habits, likes or dislikes. Apart from things that cat’s hate, here are 10 things cats love!
High Places
Most (not all) cats love high places. They either climb the trees outside, the highest cupboard they can find in your house, or they try to sit on top of the open door or even try to hold onto the ceiling. Our black cat Kira is a great example of that. Cats like the higher area’s to get a good overview of their preys, predators and us humans that keep busy below.
Sleeping
Cats sleep up to 16 hours a day, while we are more likely awake for 16 hours a day. Cats tend to sleep during the day as their preys wake up during the night. With their near night vision they can see much more than us with a little bit of moonlight or other form of light. They can sleep in the craziest of places and the funniest positions. Curled up in a ball, like a bread, lying long and wide over your sofa or chair, on top of the cupboards or shelves in a kitty bed and more.
Hunting Mice and Birds
Both indoor and outdoor cats love to hunt. When there are no mice in your house, than they will put their energy in the little cat toy mice, balls or anything that is fun to play with. Yes, also your lollypop, tampong, a little stone from outside and more. If you got cats that are solely indoor, it is a good idea to activate them and play with them daily.
Warmth
I often see cats lying down in full sunlight, whether inside or outside. Our inside cats lay in the windowsill when the sun is out and about. Kira feels too hot in direct sunlight and doesn’t do this, as she is very black and would attract and absorb all the sunlight. Most of our cats love to lie down in the sun, but after a while they go to the shadow.
Inside they also love to lie directly under the heatpump or woodoven. It is important that cats got a water fountain nearby to keep themselves hydrated at all times. In the warmth cats often fall asleep.
Food
Cats love to get food. In nature they have to hunt for their food solely, here they get it served on a (silver?) plate. Cats are very curious and can easily, especially when they are as small as a kitten, take poisonous plants or poisonous human foods for food. They prefer soft wet foods over the dry kibble, but eat mainly everything. Most cats do however not know how or when to stop, so if you would put food down all day and night for them, there is a chance your cat becomes obese.
Security
Cats, like humans, want to feel safe in situations. Some prefer a little hole between you and the sofa (behind your back), others sit high perched on top of your shelf or cupboard. They tuck themselves in a perfect circle with their nose in their tail. Some sleep in a cat bed or next to their biggest dog friend. There are plenty of examples to put forward.
Catnip
There is this special plant that is safe for cats and cats simply love it. They like to roll in it, put their face in it, lick it, eat it up and fall asleep with it. Catnip is often used in cat toys to keep their attention on the toy. We often buy it in the herb form. We sprinkle it near the cat tree or scratching post to make them use those instead of our fantastic looking (badly looking) furniture.
Playing
Cats love to play. Although most of the playing is based upon their hunting or practicing for hunting, cats also do play. They can play a bit rougher than you and I would do. Kittens jump each other on the back and try to nibble each other in the ear or neck. It is an early sign for dominance.
Bags and Boxes
Cats simply love bags and mostly boxes. When you come home with the biggest and newest cat tree you could found, the first thing your dear cat will do is help you out with your construction kit by sitting in the big boxes that it came with. Bags are also famous for a look around. Cats also love to sit on a piece of paper.
Love and Attention
Cats love our company and our cuddling behaviour with cats. They also love friends with which they can play. We can choose to scratch their scratchy points. Felicia for example loves it when we scratch or rub her on her back near her tail. Most cats love a cuddle under their chin, over their fangs, on the side of their face and over the head between the ears. Make sure you know how to cuddle a cat. You stroke them in the right direction (with the hair direction). Note that when cats cuddle with their fangs (sometimes slightly painful) do this to mark you with their pheromones.
Read about 10 things cats hate.
Did you recognize any specific habits? Are there perhaps more things that cats hate? Please share below.
I used to have cats years ago but I became allergic. My daughter has two cats and they can be a handful. Her cats do sleep a lot, but they do like the higher places a lot. They aren’t outside much but they do love playing. She watches what she gives them to eat because she doesn’t want her cats to be obese. Catnip is their favorite. They also love the scratching post that I made for them.
Hi Rob!
Did you know that most people that are allergic to cats, are actually allergic to a glycoprotein that is being spread through saliva over the entire body of the cat because of grooming? Of course there are also other allergic reactions to cats.
Great to hear that your daughter has active cats and good to hear that she takes good care of them and their health. Catnip is always a big favorite among our cats too. And scratching posts are a good way to prevent your own furniture from going to bits.
Thanks for your comment!
Steven