19 Interesting Things Cats Like You Should Know
Grab a cup of tea and get ready to discover the common things cats like!
If you’re anything like me, you can’t resist the charm of our feline friends. Cats have a way of capturing our hearts with their mysterious and independent nature. But have you ever wondered what really makes them purr with joy?
Well, you’re in for a treat because today, we’re diving into the world of our whiskered companions to explore the things they absolutely adore. Let’s get started…
Things Cats Like
The following are some common things cats like:
1. Taking Naps
Taking naps is one of the things cats love because it allows them to recharge and conserve energy. Cats are naturally crepuscular, meaning they are most active during dawn and dusk.
Napping during the day helps them align their sleep schedule with their hunting instincts. Furthermore, cats are known for their ability to sleep for long periods, up to 15 hours a day.
Napping provides them with the opportunity to rest and recover from their bursts of energy during playtime. Lastly, cats are highly sensitive to their environment, and taking naps allows them to retreat to a cozy and safe spot, away from any potential threats.
2. Grooming and Being Groomed
Grooming is a natural behavior for cats, and being groomed is something they thoroughly enjoy. Cats like grooming because it helps them maintain a clean and healthy coat.
It also provides them with a sense of comfort and relaxation. Grooming helps cats bond with their owners or fellow feline companions, as it mimics social grooming seen in wild cat colonies.
Additionally, grooming stimulates blood circulation and aids in the distribution of natural oils throughout the fur, promoting a shiny and lustrous coat. Overall, grooming is a pleasurable experience for cats, fulfilling both their physical and social needs.
3. Scratching Posts
Scratching posts are highly favored by cats due to several reasons. Firstly, cats have a natural instinct to scratch, which helps them maintain healthy claws. Scratching posts provide a dedicated and appropriate surface for cats to engage in this behavior, saving furniture and other household items from their sharp claws.
Additionally, scratching posts allow cats to stretch their bodies, promoting flexibility and muscle tone. The vertical structure of scratching posts also allows cats to mark their territory by leaving visual and scent cues.
Furthermore, scratching posts can serve as a source of mental stimulation for cats, providing an outlet for their energy and helping to alleviate boredom. Overall, scratching posts cater to cats’ natural instincts and provide several benefits for their physical and mental well-being.
4. Sunbathing
Sunbathing is a common behavior observed in many cats, and there are several reasons why they enjoy it. Firstly, cats are naturally attracted to warmth, and sunbathing provides them with a cozy and comfortable spot to relax.
The warmth of the sun’s rays can also help to soothe their muscles and joints, providing them with a sense of relaxation and well-being. Additionally, sunbathing allows cats to absorb vitamin D, which is essential for their overall health and helps to strengthen their bones.
The act of sunbathing also satisfies their innate desire for sensory stimulation, as they can feel the soft warmth of the sun on their fur. Lastly, sunbathing provides cats with an opportunity to observe their surroundings and engage in their favorite pastime – observing and stalking potential prey.
5. Interactive Play
Interactive play is a favorite activity among cats due to its stimulating and engaging nature. Cats enjoy interactive play because it satisfies their natural hunting instincts. The movement and unpredictability of toys mimic prey, triggering their predatory drive.
Additionally, interactive play encourages physical exercise, helping cats maintain a healthy weight and overall well-being. The mental stimulation provided by interactive play also prevents boredom and reduces stress in cats.
Ultimately, the combination of physical and mental engagement makes interactive play a highly enjoyable and rewarding experience for our feline friends.
6. Feather Toys
Feather toys are irresistible to cats due to their natural hunting instincts. The fluttering feathers mimic the movements of prey, triggering a cat’s predatory instincts and stimulating their senses.
Cats are drawn to the quick, erratic movements of the feathers, which activate their prey drive, encouraging them to pounce, bat, and chase. The soft texture of the feathers adds a tactile element that cats find appealing, providing a satisfying sensory experience.
Feather toys also offer a form of exercise and mental stimulation for cats, allowing them to engage in active play and satisfy their need for physical and mental stimulation. Overall, feather toys provide cats with an interactive and exciting playtime experience that taps into their innate hunting behavior.
7. Hunting and Chasing Toys
Hunting and chasing toys is one of the things cats enjoy because it taps into their natural instincts. Cats are born hunters, and playing with toys that mimic prey allows them to engage in hunting behaviors.
These toys trigger their predatory instincts, stimulating their physical and mental agility. The movement and unpredictability of the toys mimic the behavior of small animals, making them enticing for cats to chase.
Additionally, hunting and chasing toys provide cats with exercise and mental stimulation, helping to keep them physically fit and mentally sharp. Overall, hunting and chasing toys satisfy a cat’s natural instincts and provide them with both physical and mental enrichment.
8. Climbing and Perching
Climbing and perching are innate behaviors for cats, rooted in their evolutionary history as agile predators. Cats enjoy climbing because it offers them a sense of security and a vantage point from which they can survey their surroundings.
By climbing, they can escape potential threats and observe potential prey. Perching allows cats to establish territory and claim ownership of their surroundings. It also provides them with a sense of control and independence.
Ultimately, these behaviors fulfill cats’ natural instincts and provide them with mental stimulation and physical exercise, contributing to their overall well-being.
9. Running Water
Running water is one of the things that cats are naturally drawn to. It is believed that cats prefer running water because it mimics the flowing water sources found in nature, which are usually fresher and more appealing than stagnant water.
The movement of the water also adds an element of curiosity and stimulation for cats, engaging their hunting instincts. Cats may also like running water because it is cooler and more refreshing, especially during hot weather.
Additionally, the sound of running water can have a calming effect on cats, making it a soothing and enjoyable experience for them. Overall, the combination of freshness, stimulation, and sensory appeal makes running water an enticing and preferred choice for many cats.
10. Being Petted and Stroked
Being petted and stroked is one of the things cats enjoy due to several reasons. Cats have sensitive nerve endings in their skin, and gentle strokes can stimulate these nerves, creating a pleasurable sensation for them.
Petting and stroking cats mimic the grooming behavior seen in cats, which promotes bonding and social interaction. Additionally, petting provides a sense of security and comfort for cats, as it mimics the nurturing touch they experienced as kittens from their mother.
Moreover, the rhythmic motion of stroking can have a calming effect on cats, reducing stress and anxiety. Lastly, petting and stroking allow cats to mark their scent on their human companions, reinforcing their territorial bond and sense of ownership.
11. Watching Birds and Wildlife
Watching birds and wildlife is a favorite pastime for many cats. Cats have a natural instinct to hunt, and watching birds and other wildlife allows them to engage in this behavior even if they are indoors.
The movement and sounds of birds and other animals captivate cats, stimulating their senses and providing entertainment. The unpredictability of the animals’ actions also adds excitement and keeps cats engaged.
Additionally, the sight of birds flying or squirrels scurrying up trees triggers a cat’s predatory instincts, giving them a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction. Overall, watching birds and wildlife taps into a cat’s innate hunting instincts and provides mental stimulation and entertainment.
12. Exploring and Investigating
Exploring and investigating things is one of the things cats truly enjoy. Cats have a natural curiosity that drives them to explore their surroundings and investigate anything that catches their attention.
This behavior is rooted in their hunting instincts, as cats are instinctively curious about potential prey or hidden dangers. The act of exploring and investigating provides mental stimulation for cats, helping to keep their minds sharp and engaged.
Additionally, cats are known for their territorial nature, and exploring allows them to mark their territory and establish their presence. Exploring and investigating also serve as a form of exercise for cats, as they engage their senses and engage in physical activity while exploring their environment.
13. Fresh and Nutritious Food
Fresh and nutritious food is highly appealing to cats due to their natural instincts and dietary needs. Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning their bodies require a diet rich in animal protein.
Fresh food provides them with essential nutrients, such as amino acids and vitamins, which contribute to their overall health and well-being. Additionally, the aroma and taste of fresh food stimulate a cat’s appetite, making it more enticing for them to eat.
The moisture content in fresh food helps to keep cats hydrated, preventing urinary issues and promoting healthy digestion. Ultimately, cats enjoy fresh and nutritious food because it satisfies their biological cravings and supports their optimal health.
14. Certain Smells
Certain smells that cats are particularly fond of include catnip, valerian root, and silver vine. These scents contain aromatic compounds that trigger a response in cats’ olfactory receptors, leading to a pleasurable sensation.
Cats have a heightened sense of smell, and these scents can stimulate their instincts and provide sensory enrichment. The compounds in these smells can activate the pleasure centers in a cat’s brain, promoting relaxation, playfulness, and even a state of euphoria.
It’s important to note that not all cats respond to these scents in the same way, as individual preferences may vary.
15. Routine and Predictability
Cats are creatures of habit and thrive on routine and predictability. They find comfort and security in knowing what to expect from their environment and daily activities.
Routine provides a sense of stability, which helps reduce stress and anxiety in cats. Additionally, predictability allows cats to anticipate and prepare for events, making them feel more in control of their surroundings.
Ultimately, cats appreciate routine and predictability, as it contributes to their overall well-being and helps create a harmonious and contented feline lifestyle.
16. Toys
Toys are among the things that cats are naturally drawn to and enjoy. Cats have an innate hunting instinct, and toys provide an outlet for this behavior. The movement and unpredictability of toys mimic prey, triggering their predatory instincts and keeping them engaged.
Additionally, toys provide mental stimulation, preventing boredom and promoting exercise, which is essential for a cat’s overall well-being. By interacting with toys, cats can release energy, relieve stress, and maintain a healthy weight.
17. Affection and Attention
Cats enjoy affection and attention because it fulfills their social and emotional needs. When a cat receives affection, such as gentle petting or cuddling, it strengthens the bond between the cat and its human companion.
Cats also appreciate attention because it provides mental stimulation and helps prevent boredom. Additionally, receiving affection and attention can make cats feel safe and loved, contributing to their overall well-being.
18. Cozy Hideouts
Cozy hideouts are one of the things cats absolutely adore. Cats have a natural instinct for seeking sheltered spaces, which makes cozy hideouts appealing to them.
These hideouts provide a sense of security and privacy, allowing cats to relax and feel safe. The enclosed nature of cozy hideouts also helps cats conserve body heat, making them ideal for napping and resting.
Additionally, cozy hideouts fulfill a cat’s innate desire to observe their surroundings while remaining hidden, satisfying their curious nature.
19. Quiet and Peaceful Environment
Cats are known to be creatures who appreciate a quiet and peaceful environment. This is because cats have highly sensitive hearing, and loud noises can be stressful for them.
Additionally, cats have a natural instinct to be alert and aware of their surroundings, and a calm environment allows them to relax and feel safe. Furthermore, a peaceful atmosphere helps cats to maintain their natural sleep patterns, as they can easily find a quiet spot to rest undisturbed.
Overall, a quiet and peaceful environment allows cats to feel secure and content, contributing to their overall well-being.
Learn more about how to know if your cat likes you.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it’s clear that cats have a multitude of preferences when it comes to their likes and dislikes. From cozy boxes to interactive toys, these furry felines have a knack for finding joy in the simplest things.
Whether it’s a sunny spot by the window or a gentle chin scratch, understanding what cats like can help us create a loving and enriching environment for our whiskered companions.
So, next time you’re wondering how to keep your cat purring with delight, remember to cater to their individual preferences and watch as their happiness blossoms. Happy cat-parenting!
