Things cats love often remain mysterious to even the most dedicated cat parents. Despite living alongside humans for thousands of years, our feline friends still surprise us with their peculiar preferences and behaviors.
Certainly, understanding cat grooming behavior, play behavior, sleeping habits, and bonding signs is essential for providing optimal care. Most cat owners mistakenly interpret their pet’s actions through a human lens, missing the deeper communication happening right before their eyes.
In this comprehensive guide from Buraq Pets, we’ll reveal seven secret things cats genuinely love — backed by veterinary experts and animal behaviorists. Whether you’ve shared your home with cats for decades or are considering adopting your first feline companion, these insights will transform how you interact with your mysterious four-legged friend. From their fascination with flowing water to their need for elevated perches, we’ll explain not just what cats love, but why these preferences are deeply wired into their DNA.
Grooming Rituals
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Felines dedicate a remarkable 30-50% of their waking hours to self-grooming [1], making it one of their most essential daily activities. This seemingly simple behavior reveals much about your cat’s health and happiness.
Grooming Rituals Explained
Each cat follows their own unique grooming sequence, although many start by licking a paw to dampen it, then using it to clean their face and head [2]. Their specialized grooming equipment includes a tongue covered in tiny backward-facing spines (papillae) that effectively remove loose fur and debris [2]. Most kittens begin self-grooming around 4 weeks of age after learning from their mothers [1].
Why Grooming Rituals Matter to Cats
Grooming serves multiple vital functions beyond cleanliness. Regular grooming distributes natural skin oils for a healthy coat, stimulates blood circulation, and helps cats regulate body temperature [3]. Moreover, this ritual prevents painful mats, reduces hairballs, and allows for early detection of skin issues or parasites [4]. Additionally, grooming acts as a self-soothing behavior, releasing endorphins during stressful situations [3].
How to Support Grooming Rituals at Home
While cats are self-sufficient groomers, they sometimes need assistance. Short-haired cats benefit from weekly brushing, whereas long-haired breeds require daily attention [5]. For elderly cats with reduced flexibility, extra grooming help becomes particularly important [4]. When introducing grooming, start with gentle, short sessions and offer treats as positive reinforcement [6]. During these sessions, check for unusual lumps, skin changes, or parasites [5].
Climbing to High Places
Image Source: Oakland Veterinary Referral Services (OVRS)
Watch your feline companion leaping to the top of your bookshelf or fridge, and you’ll witness one of their most primal instincts in action. This behavior isn’t random – it’s deeply rooted in evolutionary adaptation.
Climbing to High Places Explained
Cats are natural climbers with bodies perfectly engineered for vertical movement. Their powerful hind legs enable them to jump up to five times their height [4], while their flexible musculoskeletal system ensures exceptional coordination during these impressive leaps. This instinctual behavior began with the Proailurus (the first true cat), which lived in rainforests and was built specifically for climbing [4].
Why Climbing to High Places Feels Safe
For cats, height equals security. As Dr. Sharon Crowell-Davis explains, “Cats are arboreal in their instincts. Even domestic cats retain the drive to seek height as a means of safety and control over their environment” [7]. In the wild, their ancestors used elevated vantage points to survey territory for food or threats [7]. High perches also reduce territorial conflicts in multi-cat households, as Dr. Mikel Delgado notes, “Vertical territory allows cats to coexist peacefully by giving each cat its own space” [7].
How to Create Vertical Spaces for Cats
Provide these essential options:
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Cat trees – Choose sturdy, multi-level structures with platforms and comfortable resting areas [7]
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Wall shelves – Install in zigzag patterns to create climbing paths [7]
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Window perches – Offer views of the outdoors for mental stimulation [7]
Remember, vertical space isn’t a luxury but a necessity for your cat’s physical and psychological wellbeing [7].
Scratching Surfaces
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That unmistakable sound of claws raking across a surface reveals one of your cat’s most instinctual behaviors. Scratching isn’t just random destruction—it serves multiple crucial purposes for your feline friend.
Scratching Surfaces Explained
Kittens begin scratching naturally around 5 weeks of age [8]. This behavior helps cats maintain healthy claws by removing the outer dead nail sheath, revealing sharp new surfaces underneath [8]. The act of stropping—dragging front claws downward—serves as a physical necessity for nail health [6] and a fundamental way cats interact with their environment.
Why Scratching Surfaces Are Irresistible
Beyond claw maintenance, scratching fulfills several irresistible drives. First, it allows cats to deposit unique scent markers from glands between their paw pads, creating important territorial messages [8]. Second, it provides a full-body workout, engaging muscles in the legs, shoulders, and back [9]. Third, scratching acts as a stress-reliever, helping cats feel secure in their space [6]. Finally, it offers the satisfaction of a luxurious stretch after napping [6].
How to Provide Ideal Scratching Options
For optimal scratching experiences:
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Choose materials like sisal rope (most popular), cardboard, or wood that offer appropriate resistance [10]
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Ensure posts are tall enough (at least 32 inches) for full stretching [11]
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Provide both vertical and horizontal options, as preferences vary [12]
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Place scratchers in prominent locations, not hidden corners [1]
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Ensure absolute stability—wobbly posts will be rejected [12]
Catnip applied to new scratchers can increase their appeal [13].
Flowing Water Fascination
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Have you ever noticed your feline friend pawing at dripping faucets or eagerly lapping from running taps? This behavior reveals one of cats’ most fascinating preferences—their natural attraction to moving water.
Flowing Water Fascination Explained
Many cats show a marked preference for running water over still water in bowls. This behavior manifests as pawing at water bowls, following you to sinks, or meowing for faucets to be turned on. Evolutionary instincts tell cats that running water is cleaner and fresher than stagnant water, which could harbor bacteria or contaminants [14]. Furthermore, flowing water engages multiple senses simultaneously—cats can see it move, hear the sound it makes, and even taste its difference [15].
Why Flowing Water Attracts Cats
This preference isn’t merely a quirky behavior but stems from survival adaptations. In nature, moving streams provided safer hydration sources than stagnant pools [16]. Additionally, running water is naturally more aerated and typically cooler, making it more appealing [16]. Cats’ sensitive whiskers also experience less discomfort with flowing water compared to drinking from narrow bowls that cause “whisker fatigue” [16]. Notably, the sound and movement of trickling water activates their natural prey drive [17].
How to Offer Flowing Water at Home
Given that many cats have a naturally low thirst drive, encouraging proper hydration is essential for preventing urinary and kidney issues [18]. Pet water fountains provide an excellent solution by:
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Mimicking the flow of fresh streams cats instinctively trust
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Keeping water oxygenated, filtered, and free of debris
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Creating visual and auditory stimulation that attracts cats to drink more frequently [5]
Cat fountains come in various styles—some bubble up, others cascade, and some feature faucet-like spouts [18].
Hiding and Observing
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Careful observers will notice cats masterfully disappearing into tight spaces or perching in concealed spots throughout the home. These seemingly simple behaviors reveal profound instincts central to feline psychology.
Hiding and Observing Explained
Cats possess the unique distinction of being both predator and prey in nature, making hiding a fundamental survival strategy [19]. This behavior allows them to stalk potential prey effectively while avoiding larger predators. Consequently, even fully domesticated cats retain this deeply ingrained instinct, regularly seeking enclosed spaces for security and relaxation [20].
Why Hiding and Observing Feels Secure
Hiding spots provide essential stress reduction for cats. Dark, quiet refuges offer cats a sense of control over their environment [21]. Indeed, cats follow the principle that “if I can’t see you, you can’t see me” [20]. Elevated hiding places serve dual purposes—offering security plus strategic observation points [22]. Furthermore, hiding spots enable cats to enjoy uninterrupted rest, crucial since they sleep 12-16 hours daily [22].
How to Create Safe Hideouts for Cats
To support this vital behavior:
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Provide multiple retreat options throughout your home [21]
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Ensure hideaways have at least two exit points in multi-cat homes [20]
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Offer both ground-level and elevated options [23]
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Consider cardboard boxes, tunnels, cat trees with cubbies, and cave-style beds [21]
Respecting a cat’s need for hiding strengthens your relationship and enhances their wellbeing [19].
Catnip Obsession
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The mysterious allure of catnip sends many felines into a state of temporary bliss—rolling, rubbing, and purring in apparent euphoria. This herb’s powerful effect on our feline friends remains one of nature’s most entertaining feline fascinations.
Catnip Obsession Explained
Nepeta cataria—commonly known as catnip, catmint, or catwort—belongs to the mint family and contains a powerful volatile oil called nepetalactone in its leaves, stems, and seeds. Initially, just one or two sniffs trigger susceptible cats into a state of feline ecstasy. Surprisingly, about 50-75% of cats inherit sensitivity to catnip, with effects typically appearing between 3-6 months of age [24].
Why Catnip Stimulates Cats
The magic happens when nepetalactone binds to receptors in a cat’s nasal tissue, triggering sensory neurons that send signals to the brain. In essence, this chemical mimics feline pheromones, activating areas associated with emotional responses [25]. The resulting “high” produces varied reactions—some cats become playfully aggressive while others grow mellow and calm [24]. Interestingly, this euphoric state typically lasts only 10-15 minutes, after which cats become temporarily immune for about 1-2 hours [25].
How to Use Catnip Safely and Effectively
Catnip offers several practical applications:
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Sprinkle dried catnip on scratching posts to encourage appropriate scratching
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Use catnip-filled toys for environmental enrichment
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Place catnip in carriers to reduce travel anxiety
For optimal potency, store dried catnip in an airtight container in the freezer [24]. Fortunately, catnip is non-addictive and generally safe, though excessive ingestion may cause mild stomach upset [26].
Loving Their Humans
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Beyond their reputation for independence, research reveals cats form genuine emotional attachments to their human caregivers. This secret aspect of feline behavior challenges long-held misconceptions about our whiskered companions.
Loving Their Humans Explained
Studies demonstrate cats form bonds with humans remarkably similar to those between children and parents. According to groundbreaking research, cats display clear “secure attachment” behaviors—seeking comfort from owners during stress, then returning to explore their surroundings once reassured [27]. This contradicts the stereotype of feline aloofness. Cats express affection through slow blinking, headbutting to mark you with scent glands, purring, kneading, and even following you between rooms [28].
Why Cats Form Deep Bonds
The science behind these attachments is revealing. Approximately 65% of both kittens and adult cats develop secure attachments to their caregivers—nearly identical to human infant attachment rates [4]. These bonds represent an adaptation of the offspring-caretaker relationship [27]. Even more fascinating, these attachment styles remain stable over time [4], suggesting cats maintain consistent emotional connections throughout their lives.
How to Strengthen the Human-Cat Connection
Building trust requires patience and understanding:
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Let cats initiate contact rather than forcing interaction [29]
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Establish regular feeding and play routines [30]
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Recognize and respect body language signals [30]
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Provide short, positive engagement sessions [29]
Conclusion
Understanding our feline companions remains both a science and an art. Throughout this guide, we’ve explored seven secret behaviors that cats genuinely love—from their meticulous grooming rituals to their profound capacity for human bonding. These behaviors aren’t random quirks but deeply rooted evolutionary adaptations that explain why cats act the way they do.
Cats thrive when their natural instincts receive proper outlets. Their need for elevated perches, appropriate scratching surfaces, and secure hiding spots all stem from ancestral survival strategies. Similarly, their fascination with flowing water and catnip reveals sensory preferences that enhance their wellbeing.
Perhaps most surprisingly, research now confirms what many cat parents already suspected—our independent-seeming felines form genuine emotional attachments comparable to the bonds between children and parents. This revelation challenges long-held misconceptions about cat aloofness.
Armed with this knowledge, you can create an environment that truly honors your cat’s instinctual needs. Small changes make significant differences in your cat’s quality of life—adding vertical spaces, providing flowing water, or respecting their need for secure retreats.
The relationship between cats and humans spans thousands of years, yet we continue discovering new insights about these mysterious creatures. Your cat communicates constantly through behavior; learning to read these signals transforms your relationship from simple cohabitation into a deeper partnership built on mutual understanding.
Your cat may never tell you directly what they need, but their behavior speaks volumes. Cats certainly appreciate the humans who take time to understand their secret language of purrs, blinks, and headbutts. After all, a cat that receives proper environmental enrichment becomes not just a pet but a contented companion who chooses to share their life—and love—with you.
