I’m sure everyone has wondered at one point why their cat loves boxes so much. I mean, it’s just cardboard, right? Wrong. To cats, it’s more like a secure place that has walls on every side, except for there’s an opening where they can “stalk” for prey.
However, for most domestic cats, there isn’t too much action around them, so they usually end up fishing for human ankles or shoes instead.And of course, there are those kitties who just love frolicking in anything just for the fun of it. Not just boxes, but bags, containers, and other things as well.
Covering stool is another habit specific to domestic cats. This is because surprisingly, it isn’t a natural occurrence, with most free-roaming or feral cats preferring to leave their stool out in the open. Experts think this might have been a behavior encouraged by humans through training and selective breeding to make cats “cleaner.”
When a cat rubs their face or body on an object or a person, it is usually a friendly gesture. They have scent glands throughout their bodies that release distinct smelling chemicals which only cats can detect. Basically, whatever or whomever a cat rubs their body on is very dear to their heart.
This is a greatly debated topic with a few different explanations. Some of these include; they are showing gratitude for feeding and caring for them; they are mimicking their mother, who most likely use to bring back prey for them when they were kittens; or they are trying to help who they consider to be part of their “group” with feeding.
And now, the biggest mystery of all: What’s the deal with cats and catnip? A special gene, which only some cats are lucky enough to inherit, is what makes them sensitive to a chemical found in catnip called Nepetalactone. Some cats have a wild reaction, running around like they’re being chased by a dog, while others have a more mellow response. And for those wondering about this: No, catnip is not a drug and it is completely safe for cats.