Last Friday I got a kitten and her name is Emerald. I got her at my mums house. My carer Lorraine got a cat and his name is Ted. We did have two more cats – one of them was called Eddy but he passed away, and the other one was called Molly, but she got run over and then we couldn't look after her so she had to be re-homed, even though she was them.

When I got Emerald it was a bit of a surprise my favourite out of all of for me because I didn't know I was getting one and I thought Lorraine was joking about getting a kitten Emerald is a lovely black kitty – she has got green eyes which is why I called her Emerald. She loves her cuddles and she is very playful. Her four favourite places to sleep are on my bed, under my stairs, in the kitchen on the chair, and on my lap. She loves her tummy being rubbed and she also likes to be in high places. Now I am getting to know Emerald a lot more and what she does and why she does all those things,  I wanted to do some research about cat behavior. Here are my top cat questions and answers.

Why do cats like to be so high?

Cats like the view from up high. It allows them to observe their territory, escape from dangers and see who is in their environment, whether prey or predator. Staying out of reach from predators gives them the sense of security they need to sleep and eat.



Why do cats head butt people?

Cats headbutt to create a colony scent. It shows that your cat trusts you enough to be up close and personal with you. Cats have scent glands all over their bodies. They use them to leave their mark on objects, including their humans.

Why do cats like sleeping in small confined spaces?

The most convincing theory as to why cats look for small spaces to sleep or hide in is that, as a prey species, they’re often targeted by birds and other land carnivores, leaving them vulnerable and craving shelter. Although cats are predators and hunt small animals, cats feel comfortable when they’re out of sight and hide as a way to protect themselves. Another throes why cats like to hide is keeping warm (being in tight spaces helps cats stay warm and reflects heat back at them) and in the same way that getting a hug can make you feel better, cats might prefer touch,

Why do cats wag their tail?

Unlike dogs, cats often wag their tails when they are angry or upset.

Why do cats pounce when people play with them?

The most common reasons cats pounce on their owners are for play and attention. Typically cats who engage in this behavior hide behind a corner or furniture and then suddenly jump out at the owner. Additionally, some cats may have figured out that if they pounce on their owner the owner may cry out or chase after them.

Why don't cats like being in water?

A  cat that has never been exposed to water probably won’t like the feeling of having their body drenched in it. A cat that has regularly been exposed to water as kitten may be more accepting of it. Cats spend a lot of time grooming themselves and aren’t big fans of having anything that doesn’t smell “normal” on their fur. In their eyes, you’re creating more work for them by bathing them. Even though many cats love the taste of fish, they are not ocean or river dwelling creatures historically. They have never learned to swim because there was no evolutionary need for it.

How many noises can cats make?

Cats can make more than 100 vocal sounds. A dog can only make about 10 sounds

Why do cats sometimes scratch you when you stroking them?

Cats that bite or scratch in the middle of being petted are cats in emotional conflict. They want attention but they fear it too. To begin with they enjoy a little contact and love, but after a certain time they get frightened. At this point they bite or scratch in order to bring the petting to an end.

Magazine Pages: