Have you ever wondered why cats stick their tongues out, arch their backs, or flick their tails? Well, there are reasons behind all of these behaviours, and we’ll be explaining a bit about them in this blog! Our list of FAQs will cover the many amusing and interesting aspects of cat behaviour to help you decode your feline friends’ habits.
Why do cats stick their tongues out?
Cat’s tongues are amazing organs, and very useful too: they help our kitties eat, drink, and groom themselves. So, in short, seeing their tongues out is normal. It’s part of their grooming, eating, and drinking habits, and might happen when they’re being playful or exploring their surroundings.
Of course, there a few other situations you might spot your cat with their tongue out too:
Blepping
One reason you might catch your cat with its tongue out is blepping. Blepping happens when cats leave their tongue out unconsciously when they are disturbed during an activity like grooming. Their tongue will stay out for a bit, and if the distraction was harmless, they will get back to what they were doing before.
Flehman Response
Another reason why cats stick their tongues out could be part of the Flehmen Response. This happens when cats detect pheromone messages from other cats. During this response, they curl their lips back to uncover their top teeth and open their mouth so their tongue may be more obvious.
This is a normal and natural behaviour, but it can look a little interesting at first. Cats do this to help draw the pheromone into a special organ they have, which is between the cat’s roof of their mouth and nasal cavities. From there, the message is sent to the brain.
Another example of this pheromone response can be seen when your cat rubs their face on a surface. This acts as a message of comfort and security for your cat that they leave for themselves in areas they feel safe in, which is the same message of security that we use in FELIWAY Classic.
Any Other Reasons?
There are other reasons why your cat may be sticking out their tongue, for example, they may have something lodged in their mouth. Or, it could be a more serious reason such as respiratory issues or even dental disease. These issues are often accompanied by drooling and bad breath. If you notice a sudden change in your cat sticking their tongue out, contact a vet, as it could be down to a medical reason.
Why do cats arch their back?
You may often see your cat arching its back, but why? Cats often arch their backs to stretch after a nice rest or to make themselves appear bigger when under threat. If they are defending themselves, you may also see their hair rise, pupils widen, and tails become bushy. In this situation, try and give your cat more space and an option to hide somewhere they feel safer.
Physical Contact
When your cat rubs up against you, they may also arch their back slightly. This is a way for them to get extra contact as they rub alongside you and share their scent. Some cats also react to stroking with an arched back, which can be a sign that they are enjoying the interaction. However, it can also be an indication that your cat doesn’t like being stroked in that area, so make sure to check if your cat’s body language is telling you they’re uncomfortable.
If you’ve recently noticed your cat adopting more of a hunched position, this could be due to abdominal or back pain. You may also find that your cat is less active, not eating as well, hiding more, or is less comfortable moving. If their arched back persists and they don’t relax into a normal position, contact your vet to check for a medical issue.
Why does my cat tap me with their paw?
If a cat is tapping you with their paw, it is usually a way to get your attention. This could mean that your cat wants affection, food, or even playtime. After all, if they have learnt that giving you a tap with their paw will get your attention, they will repeat this action!
When this tapping action is a part of play, take care not to encourage your cat to chase or jump at your hands and feet. As kittens, they may learn this as an acceptable form of play. However, as they grow older, you will begin to find this experience a whole lot less enjoyable.
At times, a cat tapping you with their paw can also be an indication that they’d like you to keep your distance or stop an interaction. So, take note and give them their space!
Why do cats knead with their paws?
Kneading, also known as ‘kneading dough’ or ‘making biscuits’, is a repetitive movement that cats do by pushing their paws in and out of a soft object with alternating legs. This is an instinctive behaviour for kittens when they nurse from their mother as it helps to stimulate milk flow. Kneading can also be used as a way for your cat to prepare its sleeping spot or to spread the communal smell of bonded individuals.
Happiness & Contentment
Kneading is often an action your cat will do around their pet-parents when they are feeling relaxed and happy, which is expressed by a gentle knead. In fact, kneading is generally thought to be a sign of contentment. However, not all cats knead, and it’s not a problem if they don’t. They will be using other ways to communicate their bond with you, such as rubbing their body against you or slow blinking.
Why does my cat keep yawning?
Yawns for cats are very similar to those of humans. It is an involuntary action that happens when cats are waking up from a sleep routine or when they are tired. When waking up, a yawn is often joined by a big stretch.
A Sign of Discomfort?
Yawning that happens when your cat hasn’t slept or is tired can be a subtle sign that your cat is feeling a little uncomfortable in a situation. In this case, assess their body language and make sure to give them enough space.
For challenging situations, FELIWAY Optimum can be plugged into the room they spend most of their time in (often where they sleep!) to provide enhanced serenity for your cat. This will help them cope with situations they find uncomfortable and help them relax for a great sleep.
Why do cats scratch furniture?
There are many reasons why cats scratch furniture, some of which can include:
- Stretching
- Claw maintenance
- Leaving a visual and pheromone message when feeling insecure
- Boredom
- Wanting attention from their caregiver
- It’s an enjoyable texture or position
If your cat keeps scratching your furniture, it may be a sign that they need more appropriate places to scratch. For instance, this could be a scratching post or cat tree. Studies have shown that unwanted scratching is less likely in cats who are provided with more enrichment items and positive enforcement training, such as when they are rewarded for using their provided scratching areas.
It’s important to observe your cat’s body language when they are scratching, as it could be a sign they are feeling anxious. Using FELIWAY Optimum can help reduce stress-scratching by providing your cat with a feeling of enhanced serenity, creating a calmer home environment for them.
Why do cats flick their tails?
Cats generally flick their tails to express themselves. If your cat is twitching their tail, this could be a sign of positive arousal, such as part of playing. However, when your cat is flicking their tail accompanied by tense body language or they’re lying down, this is more likely a sign that they’re feeling threatened and would like some space.
A low wagging of your cat’s tail also can indicate they are worried. This can be shown by tense body language, their ears being pulled back, and vocalising. For example, if they see a cat they are not friendly with, you may be more likely to see this behaviour.
If your cat is flicking their tail more often or at times you wouldn’t expect, contact your vet to see if there are any underlying medical issues.
Why do cats lick themselves?
Why cats lick themselves is primarily to keep themselves clean. Cats are expert groomers and start grooming from around 4 weeks of age to help them keep their coats in good condition. Licking helps to improve cats’ circulation and natural blood flow to their skin as well as soothe them. Cats also like to lick after they’ve eaten a meal to clean up and remove any food particles or smells.
If you notice your cat grooming more often than usual or excessively biting or chewing, this could be a sign of stress, possibly because of changes in the home. Using FELIWAY Optimum to relieve stress can help give your cat further reassurance to help them feel more comfortable and secure in their environment. However, if the overgrooming persists and you notice them licking one area often, this could be due to pain or another health issue, so be sure to contact your vet.
If you’d like to know more about other cat behaviours, be sure to check out all our other articles online! You may also want to sign up to our newsletter to stay up to date with all our latest tips, guides, and product launches. Or don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions!