While it’s not socially acceptable for humans to go around licking people, cats do it all the time. It’s a perfectly natural behavior that has many functions. Cats groom themselves and one another by licking as their tounges have tiny hooks that remove excess fur and dirt.
When you get a lick from your feline, it means you’re in need of a good grooming session. It suggests that your cat cares about your well-being and wants to keep you clean and healthy! It’s also a way to mark their territory and warn other cats that you’re not up for grabs.
Weird Waking Hours
You may have noticed that your cat doesn't stick to your sleep schedule. While it's often thought that they are nocturnal animals, it's more accurate to refer to cats as crepuscular creatures. This is because their preferred waking hours are dusk and dawn.
Since these are periods of low light, cats will be able to hunt of out sight of potential predators. Even if your housebound cat isn't under threat, the instinct remains to be up when the light is low. This also explains why your feline will dedicate most of the day to catnapping.
Tall Tails
Don't ignore the tell-tail signs your cat is trying to communicate with you with the swish of its tail. An upright tail with a curve on the end means your cat is happy and relaxed. A curvier tail or a tail wrapped around your legs is your feline's way of welcoming you home. Your cat is in predator mode if you see it gently swaying its tail from side to side.
Whipping its tail up and down at short intervals usually means your kitty is annoyed. A frightened cat will puff up its tail, along with the rest of its body, in an effort to appear more threatening.
Solar Powered
Felines love a good sun session. Cats are built to thrive in hot climates and need to keep a toasty temperature at all times to feel content. While it may seem strange to see your furry friend lying in the sun for hours, it's an easy way to recharge their batteries and get some much-needed warmth and energy back into their bodies.
When your cat drifts off into sleep, its body temperature naturally decreases. This is also why cats prefer to sleep in the sunlight to make up for any lost body heat. Don't worry, cats can handle the heat.
Wiggle and Pounce
Felines are ferocious hunters. They silently stalk their prey and when the moment is right, they pounce! You may have noticed that your cat does a little wiggle right before the jump. It certainly provides some comedic relief in this predatory practice, but it also serves an important function.
It's thought that the wiggle helps to position their legs so they're ready to lunge. The movement also warms up the cat's muscles to protect it from a potential hunting injury. Who said you can't look cute and hunt at the same time?