More and more people are raising cats nowadays. Cats are very different from dogs; their thoughts are always hard to grasp and difficult to understand. Cats often exhibit some strange behaviors that leave their owners puzzled about their intentions. Let’s take a look with the editor from Boqi Net at some strange cat behaviors and their meanings, which can be very helpful for us in raising cats.

　　1. Why do cats sometimes suddenly bite or scratch the person who is petting them?

　　If this happens, it is very likely that you haven’t noticed the warning signals your cat sent. According to cat expert Arden Moore, your cat is saying, "Please stop petting me, or I will bite harder."

　　Some cats can tolerate human touch, but some cats get overstimulated by human affection and suddenly go wild. Signals that a cat does not want to be petted include tail flicking, flattened ears, dilated pupils, and tense muscles. Most cats like petting on the head; fewer than one in ten cats like being petted on the belly or near the tail.

　　2. Why do cats push things off the table?

　　Although some cats are clumsy, most cats deliberately push objects off the table to get their owner’s attention. Sometimes they do this simply because they find it fun or because they think their owner enjoys playing this game.

　　3. Why do cats stare at you intently and then slowly blink?

　　Even though cats are masters at hiding their thoughts and emotions, they try to influence their owners by blinking at them. Researchers call this slow blinking the "cat kiss."

　　When they slowly blink, they are telling you "I like you, and I trust you." Next time you notice a cat blinking at you, try blinking slowly back; in most cases, the cat will keep blinking at you. Of course, to keep your feline friend content, it’s best not to stare directly at it, or it may get nervous.

　　4. Why do cats love computers so much?

　　Cats walk on your keyboard or touch your computer screen to get your attention. If they are not trying to gain your attention, it may be due to the following reasons: the warmth of the computer is irresistible; pressing keys with their paws is interesting; watching the screen is more fun than doing other things.

　　5. Why do cats suddenly puff up their fur?

　　When cats get bored being still, they run around to fight boredom. Even the slightest human movement, or a speck of dust trapped in a beam of light, can make them puff up their fur.

　　6. Why do cats lick plastic bags and other non-food items?

　　Cats licking plastic bags may be due to boredom or trying to relieve stress through this action. A more common behavior is grooming themselves. In Siamese cats, 50% like to lick their fur; the exact reason is unknown, but they usually stop this behavior around age two. Some believe that cats lick their fur because they were separated from their mother before fully weaning. They treat blankets or other clothing as a compensation for their shortened nursing period.

　　7. Why do cats like boxes?

　　A study by the Veterinary College of Utrecht University suggests that some cats hide in boxes to relieve short-term stress. Cats crave protection, and boxes are ideal hiding spots for them to observe their surroundings. However, why some cats prefer smaller boxes remains a mystery.