Why does my cat … ?

Linda Hartley of the Cats Protection League answers some of the questions that amuse or annoy or worry cat owners.

Why does my cat purr? What does it mean?
A cat purrs to show it is contented. When its tail is just gently flicking at the end, it means that cat is quite happy and doesn’t want to move from that position. A cat that is ill or in pain will sometimes also purr, and it is thought that this may help it deal with the pain. However, if you think your cat is in pain you should always take it to the vet to get it checked out. Cats tend to hide pain very well, sometimes so successfully that by the time the owner realises something is wrong it may be too late.

Why does my cat swish its tail?
Cats use their tails for all sorts of purposes. They use them for balance, as you can see when they are walking along a narrow fence or wall, but they also express pleasure or greeting, though they do not wag their tails the way dogs do. Instead, when your cat comes towards you its tail may seems to stand very high, often with the tip kinked over slightly. This is a greeting, and so of course is head rubbing. (We won’t go into scent marking here!) When you see your cat sitting on the arm of a chair with its tail is just gently flicking at the end, that, too, expresses contentment. However, if your cat starts to swish its tail when you holding it or it’s sitting on your lap, it’s a sign that the cat is undecided whether to stay there or move away. If the swishing gets stronger, then you’d better let it go at once, because it is signalling irritation.

Why does my cat hunt and bring mice home?
A cat is still a hunter whether it’s domesticated or not. Some are better at it than others. It takes a skilled cat to hunt for rats, as they are a tougher proposition. Your cat will make up its own mind whether to hunt or not, and it has nothing to do with how much you feed it. Hunting is an instinct rather than a need. Female cats will bring back hunted prey for their kittens to eat, and often bring it in alive for their young ones to practice their hunting skills on. When they bring a mouse in and let it go in the house, it is a present to you, there being no kittens around – though you may not always be suitably grateful!

Why does my cat scratch the furniture?
We all hate this one! A cat has many needs, including shedding the outer coat of claws and stretching their muscles after sitting or sleeping for a while. They also need to make sure their body scent is present in the house. To help prevent your furniture being subjected to this, you can buy the readymade cat scratching posts, or supply an old piece of clean carpet glued to a board.

Why does my cat blink its eyes slowly when it looks at me?
That’s a communication of friendship, like a smile. When we smile ourselves, it moves our cheeks up a little and half-closes our eyes. Try a slow blink and smile when looking at your cat when it is relaxed, and see if it returns the blink. If it does you have just communicated!

Why does my cat drink lots of water?
This is a warning sign. If you are constantly refilling the water bowl and the cat constantly drinks it all, then its time to consult your vet. Drinking a lot can be a sign of several things – the most common are high blood pressure, hyperthyroidism or kidney disease. It is important to know what is troubling your cat, as there are treatments of each of these that will drastically improve the cat’s quality of life.