Behaviour & Training

Owners are constantly baffled when they buy their cat a cool new toy and they're much more interested in the box it came in! But why do cats love boxes so much? Keep reading to find out why. It’s a widely known fact that cats love boxes. To them, no toy in the world, no matter how expensive or fancy it may be, compares to a simple cardboard box. It’s a phenomenon that baffles most cat owners, especially when they’ve just purchased a great new bed or cool toy, and their cat seems to prefer the packaging it came in. In this article, we explore why cats like boxes and tell you all about why they make the perfect snoozing and hunting ground for your cat. Why do cats like boxes? There are lots of reasons that cats love boxes, but the main one is because they’re confined, enclosed spaces. Cats are ambush predators and finding confined places where they can hide, hunt prey and feel safe and warm is an instinctive behaviour. Snug cardboard boxes fit the bill perfectly. Boxes are safe Cats get comfort and security from enclosed spaces, which is why they love spending time in cardboard boxes. Cats use boxes as hiding places where predators can’t sneak up on them from the side or behind. If your cat is in a box, any “intruders” like prey, humans or other pets have to come directly into their field of vision, meaning nothing can surprise them. And cats like boxes because they help to reduce stress and offer a safe zone where your cat can observe and not be seen. This is ideal for cats as their reaction to stressful situations is often to run and hide. Cats don’t have in-built conflict resolution strategies, so they much prefer to hide from their problems. The safety of the private, enclosed space is another possible answer to why do cats like boxes.

Have you ever asked ‘why does my cat lick me’? It’s a common question many cat owners have. The truth is there are a number of different reasons why your cat licks you – and many of them are to do with affection! Possible reasons why your cat licks you One reason your cat may lick you is because it’s a way of creating a social bond. From a young age, a cat’s mother would not only lick them as a way of grooming them, but also to show affection. Cats then replicate this behaviour with you as a way of showing their affection – it simply comes naturally. This licking behaviour is not just exclusive between pet and owner. Cats often lick other cats and even other animals to show their affection. Do keep an eye out, however, when your cat begins to lick other cats or other animals, as not all cats or animals like to be licked. In some cases some other cats or animals may retaliate or become anxious when a cat tries to lick them. Another reason your cat may lick you is because they are stressed or anxious. It is very common for cats and other animals to begin to lick things excessively if they are stressed. This can include licking you; if you think this may be the case it might be best to pay a visit to your local vet. If you think something has caused your cat to be stressed, try to identify the source of their worry in case you can remove it. Cats like to mark their territory so other cats and animals know what is theirs. If a cat sees you as theirs, they may begin to lick you to mark you as part of their territory. This is to let other cats know who you belong to. Whilst this type of behaviour is completely normal it could lead to problems in the house if you have more than one cat or pet, so watch out for territorial behaviour. Why it sometimes hurts when a cat licks you It can sometimes hurt when a cat licks you, especially if your cat does this excessively and in the same place. This is because of special back-facing barbs on your cat’s tongue called ‘papillae’. These barbs are made from the same material as your cat’s claws, which explains why their tongue feels like sandpaper. These barbs are important when your cat grooms themselves. The barbs help to remove dirt and debris from a cat’s coat. If the barbs weren’t sharp they would not be able to pick up this dirt and a cat would not be able to keep himself or herself as clean.

Cats are very curious creatures and if you have one in your home, you’ve probably become accustomed to them staring at you from time to time. If your kitty does this you’ll likely be wondering, “why does my cat stare at me?” Find out why with this article. If you have the honour of sharing your home with a feline, you’re probably no stranger to that “I’m being watched” feeling. Whether you’re making dinner, sitting on the sofa or just waking up in the morning, it’s common that you’ll find your kitty looking at you with their big, round eyes – but what is the reasoning for it? Is it just pure curiosity on their part? Or is it something more? We’ve put together this guide to tell you the possible reasons why your cat stares at you, keep reading to unlock the secrets of your pet’s behaviour. Why does my cat stare at me? There are actually a number of reasons why your cat may sit and stare at you. The top 3 most common ones are: 1. It’s feeding time The first and most obvious reason why your cat is staring at you is that they may be trying to convince you to feed them. If you find it’s around the time they’re usually tucking in and they’re staring at you with demanding eyes, it’s likely that they’re trying to use their best mind tricks to convince you to top up their food bowl. For added effect, they may also pair this stare with squeaks and meows to really get your attention! 2. Cats are curious creatures Cats are incredibly curious by nature and they always want to know what’s going on. It could be just that they’re observing you to see if you’re going to do anything interesting.

Whether you enjoy a soothing meow every now and then or you’re growing impatient with all your cat’s attempts to make conversation, the reasons why cats meow are just as fascinating as the kittens themselves. Find out more here. As a proud cat owner, you are by now probably used to the daily soundtrack of meows and purrs your cat shares with you. But did you know that the way cats communicate with other cats is mainly via scent, and cat meowing is a language reserved for humans only? That’s to say, cats don’t meow at each other, only at humans, and meowing is a learned behaviour. Different meows tend to mean different things too and a subtle difference in one meow to another can indicate your cat is talking to you for a very different reason! Why would cats, who are better known for their “can’t be bothered” attitude, go to all the trouble to communicate with us? They must have something important to say. So if your cat won’t stop meowing and you need help deciphering what this means, here are the top reasons why cats meow. Why do cats meow? 1. To greet you If you’re used to a short meowing burst just as you close the door after returning home, congratulations – your cat actually noticed you were missing. These quick meows are your cat’s way of saying “hi” and “where have you been all this time”. A bit of affectionate petting and a few warm words are expected in return before your feline friend goes back to the usual preoccupations. Ah, the joys of being a cat owner! 2. To get your attention One reason why cats meow is to get your attention for play, petting or some nice treats. So if your cat keeps brushing up against you while belting out her signature meows, chances are you’re needed for some good old spoiling time. So if you’re wondering why does my cat keep meowing, that’s your cue to get the bag of treats out. If you need some inspiration, here are some cool cat games ideas to try. Have fun! 3. To get food If your cat won’t stop meowing at certain times, it’s always a good idea to check the food bowl. If it’s empty, you know why your cat is meowing! However, don’t fill up the bowl straight away – a good trick is to wait until your cat stops meowing before getting the food out. Otherwise your cat will learn that they can meow and get fed, so they’ll do it more. 4. To tell you they’re unwell Unfortunately, the reason why cats meow is not always easy to address, especially if the pitch and the frequency of your cat’s vocalisations are unusual. If your cat is meowing at night, they might be trying to tell you there is something wrong. In fact, many illnesses from kidney disease to urinary tract problems or arthritis can have your kitty meowing for help. If you notice anything unusual about the sounds your cat is making, it’s always better to visit the local vet to rule out a possible illness. However, be aware that it can be very difficult to read a cat’s body language and they often hide signs of pain, so just because they are not meowing doesn’t mean they are necessarily comfortable! If your cat is not a youngster anymore, watch out for a common culprit showing up in older cats – Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome. Some of the symptoms include confusion and meowing at night, so make sure you discuss this possibility too with your vet. 5. To indicate stress If you notice extra cat meowing on top of the usual chat you’re expecting from your feline friend, think about any possible disturbances or changes in your cat’s environment. A new house, a new pet or a new baby can set off alarm bells in the mind of your furry companion. So be mindful of any changes and try to put your cat at ease by offering them more attention and some nice quiet time.

Our pets are a saving grace when we’re stuck inside. Their happy wagging tails and sweet purrs offer a welcome pick me up when we’re feeling down, but after a while, they can get bored of being cooped up. We’ve created this guide with our top 10 tips to keep your dog or cat happy indoors. When it comes to being stuck inside, there’s no doubt that pets can make the time at home feel a whole lot more enjoyable. They’re there when we need to vent or just need a good cuddle, and their care provides a productive outlet that’s beneficial to both pets and people. But being stuck at home with your pet can also present its share of challenges. Here you can find some tips on how to keep your pet happy and engaged when you’re stuck inside. 1. Stick to Their Routine Your routine has likely been disrupted in some pretty significant ways. In times like these, it can be tempting to let your pet’s routines fall to the wayside, too. Purina behaviourist Dr. Annie Valuska warns against this: “It’s important to try to keep your pet’s routine as intact as possible. Feeding, potty, and walks should all happen when they normally do.” She also reminds us that continuing to ask for good manners, like sitting before going through a doorway or not begging for table scraps, is another important way to maintain consistency in your pet’s routine. 2. Be Intentional About Rest Time Your pet may be used to having time to themselves while the family is away, so try to give them plenty of rest time throughout the day. As Purina behaviourist Dr. Francois Martin reminds us, “It is not a good idea to change your pet’s routine with a lot of socialisation. Pets are not kids. Owners don’t have to keep them busy with things to do all day.” Parents, breathe a sigh of relief: your kids may need activities to fill their days, but your cat or dog will be just fine, and will even benefit from having some quiet time. 3. Let Them Chew It Out For those conference calls, homeschooling sessions, or just moments when you need some rest, it can be helpful to give your pet a long-chew treat to help keep them entertained. Dr. Sverine Ligout, a Purina behaviourist, reminds us that while these treats can be a fun activity for your pet, it can also be easy to overfeed them. Keep calorie counts in mind and compensate for extra treat calories by feeding a little less at mealtime. 4. Exercise, Exercise, Exercise Keep nerves in check and channel nervous energy into a productive outlet - exercise. Staying active during this time is as beneficial for you as it is for your pet. You may not be able to take your dog to the dog park for exercise, but you can still find ways to get their energy out. Even a trip to the mailbox can provide a little exercise. If you’re stuck inside, clear away some furniture to make room for a game of fetch or tug of war. Get out in the backyard if you have one and play a game of chase. We recommend using exercise as another way to reinforce your pet’s schedule. Have planned play sessions at around the same time each day, this will encourage your pet to follow routine, while also providing physical and mental stimulation, as well as promoting the human-animal bond. 5. Play Some Mind Games Another great way to tire your pet out is with mental stimulation, like teaching them a new trick or two! Have you always wanted your dog to be able to roll over or for your cat to dance? Now is the perfect time for those lessons. “Just like people, pets experience what we call the ‘Eureka Effect,’ or the emotional response to problem-solving,” Dr. Ragen Mc Gowan, Purina behaviourist, explains. “That ‘ah ha’ moment when you finally figure something out. You feel a positive surge of emotions. Our pets experience this as well.” You can also use feeding time as a way to mentally enrich your pet’s day. Scatter their food around the house and let them use their sense of smell to find it or incorporate a puzzle toy into feeding to give them a little mental challenge.