Your Pets Daily - Cat breeds UK

Six bizarre things your cat does, explained by the experts

Katie Court — Sun, 18 Feb 2024 12:00:00 +0000

Cats make wonderful companions, but any cat owner knows they can be curious animals. They like to knock objects off the coffee table, sleep in tight spaces, chatter their teeth and engage in all sorts of weird behaviours.

This weird behaviour isn't just a quirk of your feline friend - the unpredictability can be behavioural or evolutionary. And while you generally discourage traits you see as silly and entertaining, cats might be telling us hoomins what they want and what they hate, too.

Some feline habits are adorable and endearing, while others are totally confusing and even dangerous. If you've ever wondered about the unique, strange cat behaviours, we've spoken to Eleonore Hacheme, Cat Nutritionist at Republic of Cats to better understand the weird things your cat does and why exactly they do them.

Six bizarre things your cat does, explained by the experts

Kneading

Cat kneading - also called 'making biscuits' - is an endearing trait, usually seen when they are being petted or when snuggling into a napping spot. This behaviour is displayed as the rhythmic pushing of their paws in and out at alternating times. Some cats will retract their claws while they knead - others don't.

Our feline friends will do this on soft surfaces like fluffy throws, or when getting cosy or on your lap when you are making a fuss over them. Your pet may also knead against you to show their love and affection towards you.

Aside from being another way to mark their scent onto surfaces using their paw pads, cats kneading you is a way to show you that they feel comfortable around you. Kneading is often accompanied by pawing, purring and drooling combined.

Napping in small spaces

Shoeboxes, bathroom sinks and even empty cardboard boxes are only a few of the weird and wonderful places where your cat might choose for a nap.

Cats like to squeeze into tight spaces where they feel safer and more secure as opposed to being exposed to potential danger in an open space, even if the perceived danger in your home is the washing machine or the vacuum cleaner. They crawl into drawers, baskets and boxes. They climb into hidden corners, under beds and tables. Cats have a natural need for warmth and protection, and these confined spaces give cats a quiet, peaceful environment.

To make your home the perfect haven for your pet, you should ensure they have a variety of cosy places where they can curl up and relax.

Headbutting or bunting

Head-butting, also commonly known as bunting or facial marking, is when a cat uses their head to make contact with you, on your knee, face, leg or any other part of the body. They might gently push their head against yours, or they might give you a hard hit to the skull.

You've probably seen your cat headbutting walls, chairs and furniture too. While this behaviour might seem very strange, cats are just leaving their mark on that object. Cats have scent glands all over their bodies, including their face and cheeks. So when they butt heads with something, they are leaving their scent on you or another object. Doing this shows they trust and respect that object by acknowledging its familiarity.

Brings you 'presents'

Our feline friends are innate hunters and are instinctively attracted to moving objects such as a mouse or bird. Even if domesticated cats don't need to catch their food to survive, they cannot resist the natural urge to kill and retrieve, bringing their prey back into a safe place.

When your pet brings you their 'hunt', it can be considered a compliment and that the gift is brought to you because they're feeling charitable and they love and care for you. They could also be bringing you dead animals because they want to teach you how to hunt for prey, as a mother cat would do for its kittens.

Tail twitching

A cat's tail is an excellent tool for feline self-expression. If its tail is twitching back and forth, it is often associated with hunting behaviour. The moving tail indicates an intense focus on its prey, getting in the position ready to pounce. The twitching can also indicate that your pet is feeling alert and interested in something happening in its surroundings.

If you're petting your cat and you start seeing the tip of its tail twitching, this could be an early sign that your cat is getting overstimulated and wants some space. Or if its tail is swishing strongly from side to side, feelings of anger or irritability could be creeping in, so you should respect their need for space and privacy.

Intrigued by electronic devices

Sometimes cats do things that we humans have a hard time understanding. And sleeping next to or on top of our electronic devices is one of them. Cats may sit on or near computers, TVs, phones or tablets because they are warm and have stimulating images on the screen.

A second reason your cats like to sit on your electronics is that they want interaction and attraction and are trying to take the attention away from your electronic device. Cats can be quite territorial and they're marking their spot on your personal items and establishing their ownership by giving it a scent that is uniquely theirs.

REVEALED: The UK's favourite cat breeds

Jessica Curtis — Sun, 07 Jan 2024 20:00:00 +0000

It's clear that we're a nation of cat lovers, with a quarter of households owning a cat here in the UK!

There are so many breeds of cats out there, each with their own unique features and personalities. In fact, The International Cat Association recognises 71 breeds in total. But, which of the 71 breeds is our favourite?

Feline experts, Catit have researched which cat breeds are the most popular in the UK by city and country to find the nation's favourite.

Our data revealed that the Ragdoll is the most popular breed across the whole of the UK, and we're certainly not surprised. A favourite in 60 cities, these cats are characterised by their soft, fluffy coats and bright blue eyes. But they're not just beautiful, they're also incredibly gentle, quiet, and often playful. Their mild manners make them perfect family cats and apartment cats, which is possibly why Ragdolls are the most searched-for breed in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Coming in second was the Maine Coon, the largest domesticated cat breed around. Despite their size, Maine Coon cats are gentle giants and are favoured for their affectionate and playful nature. It's no surprise that this large breed was one of the top three most searched-for breeds in 49 cities.

In third place is the Bengal. With its striking markings, this breed almost looks like a miniature leopard. They're very lively and curious but can be incredibly affectionate too, which makes them good family cats. One particular thing to note about this breed is their unusual love for the water, and they'll often enjoy playing in water fountains, under taps, and may even join you in the bath!

Favourite breed by UK country

Ragdolls and Maine Coons are a firm favourite across the UK, coming in first and second respectively in all four countries. Bengals were also in the top three in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. However, the similarities end there. Both Bengals and British Shorthairs came in at a joint third in Wales, while England showed a joint preference for both the British Shorthair and talkative Siamese cats.

In fact, British Shorthairs are one of the first cat breeds ever recorded in Britain, having been brought over by Roman soldiers during the Roman invasion. With its rounded features and soft plush coat, both England and Wales are in love with this endearing breed.

In light of the results, Paul Trott from Catit said:

"Ragdoll cats are beautiful, calm, and affectionate, so we're certainly not shocked to see that it's the nation's favourite breed. It's also not too surprising to see the Maine Coon and Bengal cat up there as well. These are both breeds that are famous for their unusual features, whether that's their size or their markings.

"That being said, it's important not to choose a breed simply because it's popular or looks pretty. Each breed has its own distinctive features and personality. Some are very energetic and playful, while others are calm and independent. So, we'd always advise doing your research before welcoming a new friend into the family.

"Different breeds require more time and care than others too, so budgeting for toys, food, and grooming should be a consideration. For example, large energetic breeds like the Maine Coon will need more attention and larger food portions, which can make their care more expensive than smaller, calmer breeds like the Cornish Rex, Devon Rex, or Siamese cat."

Catit's expert tips for choosing the right breed

While these are some of the UK's favourite breeds, there are so many other fantastic breeds out there. If you're thinking of sharing your home with a new feline friend, you may be wondering which breed is right for you. There are a few things you'll want to bear in mind when finding your perfect cat:

Indoor vs outdoor

You'll first need to consider whether your cat will live mostly indoors or outdoors (or both). Some cats, like Ragdolls, Sphynx cats, and Scottish Folds, are better suited to indoor life, while some prefer the freedom of being outside — Bengal, Maine Coon, and Norwegian Forest cats love being outdoors.

Independence

Some cats are much more independent than others, so you'll want to keep this in mind while choosing the right breed for your home. If you have a busy lifestyle and will be out of the house most days, you'll want to choose a breed that can be left alone. Russian Blues and Persians are highly independent, so are perfect for busy households.

On the other hand, if you're looking for a cat that will offer plenty of companionship, you may want to look at cuddly breeds like a Ragdoll, Siamese cat, or Sphynx cat.

Energy

The average cat needs around 20 minutes of playtime each day, but this may be more for particularly energetic breeds (PDSA). Whether you look for a playful cat or a more placid breed is entirely down to preference. High-energy breeds like Abyssinian, Sphynx, Bengal, and Burmese cats are very playful and will need plenty of enrichment and toys to keep them happy. In contrast, British Shorthairs, Scottish Folds, and Russian Blues tend to be much calmer — perfect for quiet households and flats.

Grooming

While shorthair cats usually only need brushing once a month, those with longer coats need more frequent grooming sessions. The longer the coat, the more often your cat will need grooming — sometimes even daily for longhaired breeds — so consider how much time you can commit to grooming sessions. Different breeds also require different grooming methods, which is something else to bear in mind.

Allergies

If you're a cat lover who's allergic to felines, fear not! There are a number of 'hypoallergenic' cat breeds out there that are less likely to trigger an allergic reaction. Hairless and very shorthaired breeds, like the Sphynx and Cornish Rex, are often best for those with allergies, as they have very minimal (if any) shedding. Other low-shedding cat breeds include Siberian cats, Russian Blues, and Bengal cats.

Your Pets Daily - Cat breeds UK

Six bizarre things your cat does, explained by the experts

Six bizarre things your cat does, explained by the experts

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REVEALED: The UK's favourite cat breeds

Favourite breed by UK country

Catit's expert tips for choosing the right breed

Indoor vs outdoor

Independence

Energy

Grooming

Allergies

Category

Tags