Would you like to switch to the accessible version of this site?

Go to accessible site Close modal window

Don't need the accessible version of this site?

Hide the accessibility button Close modal window
Accessibility View Close toolbar
St Francis Veterinary Center

1856 Cotton Bay Ln

Navarre, FL 32566 US

850-936-4446

Open mobile navigation
  • Home
  • New Patient Center
    • Prescription Refill Form
    • What to Expect
    • Veterinary Resources
    • Payment Options
  • About Us
    • Our Doctors
    • Meet Our Team
    • Services
  • Squiggley's Safe Haven
  • Contact Us
  • Veterinary Topics
    • Pet Health
      • Chronic Conditions
      • Digestive and Oral Health
      • Diseases and Viruses
      • Pests and Parasites
      • Orthopedics
    • Today's Veterinarian
    • Choosing Your Pet
      • Finding Your Pet
      • Cats
      • Dogs
      • Exotics
        • Amphibians
        • Birds
        • Reptiles
          • Lizards
          • Turtles
      • Small Mammals
        • Ferrets
        • Rabbits
        • Domesticated Animals
          • Prairie Dogs
        • Pocket Pets
          • Chinchillas
          • Guinea Pigs
          • Hamsters
          • Hedgehogs
          • Rats
      • Livestock
        • Cows
        • Donkeys, Horses & Mules
        • Goats
        • Pigs
        • Poultry
        • Sheep
    • Living With Your Pet
      • Bringing Your Pet Home
      • Children and Pets
      • Providing Care
      • Travel
      • Saying Goodbye
    • Newsletter Library
      • Tips for Pet Owners
      • Behavior & Training
      • Fleas & Parasites
      • Keeping Pets Healthy
      • Cats
      • Recognizing Illness
      • Nutrition & Food
      • Pet Dangers
      • Seasonal Topics
      • Visiting the Vet
      • Equine
      • Newsletter Archive
        • Fun with Pets
        • Unbelievable Pets
    • Video Newsroom
      • Health Topics
      • Technology and Science
      • Other Interests
    • Client Survey
    • Pets4Kids
  • Home >
  • Articles >
  • Newsletter Library >
  • February Newsletter: Weird Things Your Cat Does and What They Mean

February Newsletter: Weird Things Your Cat Does and What They Mean

  • Created in Newsletter Library

Cat looks at hamster with insatiable desire

Does Your Cat Do These Strange Things?

Wondering why your cat suddenly zooms through your house or kneads your favorite blanket? There's actually a good reason for your cat's strange behavior. If you're puzzled by your furry friend's antics, take a look at our list of weird feline habits and the reasons behind them.

High-Speed Sprints

You're sitting on the couch watching TV when your cat runs past you at warp speed. Commonly called the "zoomies," these mad dashes perplex humans but make perfect sense to your cat. Hill's Pet Nutrition explains that your cat may be:

  • Chasing a Pretend Mouse
  • Burning Off Excess Energy After a Long Nap
  • Ending a Visit to the Litterbox

Touching Your Face When You're Asleep

Your cat can't get enough of you, even when you're sleeping. Touching its paws to your face transfers its scent and sends a "this human is mine" message to other animals. It's the same reason your cat likes to rub its face against your legs.

Does your cat gently bat you in the face in the morning? Rolling over or covering your face with the blanket won't stop your furry friend. When your cat decides it's time for you to wake up, you will wake up. Of course, you might be persistent too if you couldn't fill your food dish yourself.

Kneading Clothing and Blankets

As a kitten, your cat moved its paws back and forth on its mother's chest to stimulate milk production when nursing. Years after a cat stops nursing, it still may find this behavior soothing. In fact, it may regularly knead a blanket or even your clothing. Some cats also suck on the fabric when kneading.

The American Animal Hospital Association notes that cats may also knead to create a comfortable place to rest, calm themselves, show pleasure or mark their territory.

Bringing You Gifts

Dropping a dead mouse or cricket at your feet is the ultimate compliment as far as your cat is concerned. Of course, you may not feel the same way. Your pet brings you these items because it considers you an important part of its family and wants you to enjoy a tasty meal of raw mouse too.

If your cat doesn't kill prey, it may bring you a favorite toy instead. Lavish praise, whether you love your gift or not, will make your pet feel its contribution was appreciated.

Chirping

Does your cat make a strange chirping sound when watching a bird, squirrel or another animal through the window? Certified Cat Behavior Consultant Marilyn Krieger told Catster that cats may chirp if they're excited at the thought of catching prey, experience an increase in adrenaline at the sight of prey animals, or feel frustrated that there's a window between them and prey.

Knocking Things Over

Pushing over pens, plants, lamps and other objects may seem to be your cat's favorite hobby. Cats enjoy knocking over objects for many reasons. They may be bored or might want to retrieve something that's inside the object. Purina reports that cat may want to find out if the object could be potential prey.

Cats may also knock things over if they're bored or want to get your attention. Scheduling regular playtime and offering a selection of interesting toys could help curb this behavior.

Do you have questions about your cat's behavior? Get in touch with us and share your concerns.

Sources:

Hill's Pet Nutrition: Cat Zoomies: Why Your Cat Gets Them & When to Call the Vet, 2/17/2020

https://www.hillspet.com/cat-care/behavior-appearance/what-are-cat-zoomies

American Animal Hospital Association: Is My Cat’s Kneading Normal?

https://www.aaha.org/your-pet/pet-owner-education/ask-aaha/is-my-cats-kneading-normal/

Catster: Why Do Cats Chirp? All About Cat Chirping, 6/15/2020

https://www.catster.com/cat-behavior/why-do-cats-chirp-all-about-cat-chirping

The Spruce Pets: Why Do Cats Knock Things Over?, 9/8/2021

https://www.thesprucepets.com/why-cats-knock-things-over-5117010

Purina: Why Do Cats Bring You Dead Animals?

https://www.purina.co.uk/articles/cats/behaviour/common-questions/why-do-cats-bring-you-dead-animals

  • Pet Health
    • Chronic Conditions
    • Digestive and Oral Health
    • Diseases and Viruses
    • Pests and Parasites
    • Orthopedics
  • Today's Veterinarian
  • Choosing Your Pet
    • Finding Your Pet
    • Cats
    • Dogs
    • Exotics
      • Amphibians
      • Birds
      • Reptiles
        • Lizards
        • Turtles
    • Small Mammals
      • Ferrets
      • Rabbits
      • Domesticated Animals
        • Prairie Dogs
      • Pocket Pets
        • Chinchillas
        • Guinea Pigs
        • Hamsters
        • Hedgehogs
        • Rats
    • Livestock
      • Cows
      • Donkeys, Horses & Mules
      • Goats
      • Pigs
      • Poultry
      • Sheep
  • Living With Your Pet
    • Bringing Your Pet Home
    • Children and Pets
    • Providing Care
    • Travel
    • Saying Goodbye
  • Newsletter Library
    • Tips for Pet Owners
    • Behavior & Training
    • Fleas & Parasites
    • Keeping Pets Healthy
    • Cats
    • Recognizing Illness
    • Nutrition & Food
    • Pet Dangers
    • Seasonal Topics
    • Visiting the Vet
    • Equine
    • Newsletter Archive
      • Fun with Pets
      • Unbelievable Pets
  • Video Newsroom
    • Health Topics
    • Technology and Science
    • Other Interests
  • Client Survey
  • Pets4Kids

New clients receive 15% OFF first visit.

Featured Links

Click to find out more

  • Make An Appointment

    We will do our best to accommodate your busy schedule. Schedule an appointment today!
    Schedule Now
  • Vets First Choice

    Shop online and browse our selection
    Click Here

Office Hours

Our Regular Schedule

Monday:

7:30 am-5:30 pm

Tuesday:

7:30 am-5:30 pm

Wednesday:

7:30 am-5:30 pm

Thursday:

7:30 am-5:30 pm

Friday:

7:30 am-5:00 pm

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed

Location

Find us on the map

Testimonial

Read What Our Clients Say

  • "Compassionate staff. They gave me all the time I needed to grieve with my 15 1/2yr old Husky. Made me feel at ease for the decision that I had to make with my fur baby. I was not a regular client but they treated me and my dog as if we were there for all of his life. Audra, you are the best. Thank you so much. I don't know how you guys do it!"
    Julie C.H. Navarre, FL

Featured Articles

Read about interesting topics

  • October Newsletter: The Importance of Daily Dog Walks

    This simple form of exercise could make your dog one happy pup. ...

    Read More
  • October Newsletter: How to Care for Your Pets When They Are Teething

    Wondering what you can do to help your teething pet? ...

    Read More
  • September Newsletter: The Importance of Core Vaccines for Dogs

    Could core vaccines help your dog avoid serious illness or death? ...

    Read More
  • September Newsletter: Dry Food vs. Wet Food: Which is Better for Your Cat?

    Should you buy dry food for your cat or is wet food better? ...

    Read More
  • Does Your Cat Have a Grooming Problem?

    Noticed a sudden change in your cat's grooming habits? Over- or under-grooming can be a sign of trouble. ...

    Read More
  • August Newsletter: How Spaying or Neutering Your Pet Can Prevent Health Problems

    Do you know how spaying and neutering can protect your pet's health? ...

    Read More
  • August Newsletter: How Your Veterinarian Can Help with Pet Separation Anxiety

    Does your pet hate being alone? A visit to the veterinarian could help. ...

    Read More
  • July Newsletter: The Benefits of Daycare Services for Your Pet

    Is daycare right for your pet? ...

    Read More
  • July Newsletter: Do Pocket Pets Need Regular Exams?

    How often should you take your pocket pet to the veterinarian? ...

    Read More
  • June Newsletter: How X-Rays Can Help Detect Early Stages of Dental Diseases

    Could X-rays protect your pet oral health? ...

    Read More

Newsletter Signup

Sign up for more articles

Connect With Us

  • Copyright © 2023 MH Sub I, LLC dba iMatrix.
  • Admin Log In
  • Site Map