As an owner, one of the most important things you can do for your cat is to educate yourself about feline idiosyncrasies.

    Cats are "Unique" creatures. To understand cats, we must first understand how they behave in their natural environment. Your indoor cat's behaviors result from their survival value in the wild. In their natural environment, cats hunt for food, hide from predators (often by climbing--see picture), and defend their home territories. Indoors, these behaviors may look hostile (biting and scratching) or spiteful (climbing and marking), and we may not like them. The keys to enjoying cats in our lives are to 1) provide acceptable outlets for their natural behaviors, and 2) reduce their exposure to threats. This page will describe natural behaviors of cats, and how the indoor environment can be modified to permit cats to engage in them in appropriate ways.

    Cats do not have the daily sleep-wake cycle that we do. Rather, they sleep and wake frequently throughout the day and night. You've probably heard the phrase "Cat napping"? This is because cats in the wild need to hunt as many as 20 small prey each day; they must be able to rest between each hunt so they are ready to pounce quickly when prey approaches. This explains why our cats seem to sleep so much during the day when we are awake, and spend so much time awake at night when we need to sleep! We may conclude that cats are nocturnal creatures, but it only seems that way because their sleep/wake cycle is so different from ours. Adding playful activities to your cats daily routine can diminish the occurrence of such nocturnal activity.

    Cats may be afraid of other cats or humans (if not properly socialized), and loud noises such as thunder, automobiles and lawnmowers. Fearful cats generally have dilated pupils, flattened ears, a flattened or crouched body, and a fast breathing rate. if threatened further, they may hiss or growl, arch their back and puff up their fur and may even attack.

    Cats try to hide when they are anxious or feel threatened. They especially like to hide in high places which permit a clear view of their surroundings. This is why it is especially important to provide indoor cats with hiding areas; these spots must permit the cat to feel safe from people, loud noises and other animals. (See "What Indoor Cats Need -- Perches.)

    Cats are not as social as many other species and they do not communicate in the same ways we do. Contrary to what many people believe, cats primarily rely on smell, not sight, to communicate with other cats, locate food and detect predators. Cats communicate by 'marking' objects and other animals. These marks are scents (called pheromones) which are released from special glands located in their forehead, cheeks, tail base and paws when they scratch and rub their body on objects. Cats also do not rely too much on sounds from other cats, so they do not pay particular attention to the verbal sounds we humans make. Allowing your cats to mark scratching posts and other appropriate objects in the home will reduce the temptation to mark using urine (for more info on this see "What Indoor Cats Need -- Scratching and Perches").

    Cats are carnivores; they eat primarily small rodents, birds and bugs. Because hunting is such a big part of a cat's life, even indoor cats need to engage in hunting types of activities. Keep this in mind when shopping for toys for your cat; most prefer those that resemble mice, birds, and bugs. If you really want to make it realistic, make the toy move like it is really alive or injured.

    Cats walk, run, jump, pounce, and climb as they move through their habitat. In the out-of-doors, they would frequently walk or climb in trees or on top of buildings and fences to have a better view of their surroundings. Therefore, indoor cats must have areas of the house where they can climb and rest in high locations. Some prefer to sleep and rest in high locations, where they are safe from surprise attacks from other animals. Some indoor cats appreciate special cat beds or blankets. A perch is anything that allows your cat to lie, sit, sleep or look outside from above. A perch is a MUST have for your cat. Wherever your cat chooses to rest it is important not to disturb her. Just as you may not want to be bothered while you are asleep or resting, neither does your cat. Respect your cat's privacy when she is resting and she will be more likely to seek you out when she is ready to interact.

    Cats use smell and sight to locate and procure food. When they see small movements, they stalk and pounce on the prey. They use their claws to grab and hold the prey, and they bit until they kill their prey. When cats play with toys, you can see them using these same hunting skills. Cats like toys that do something -- toys that squeak, chirp, jitter, swing or vibrate remind them of moving meals, enticing them to interact. They also like toys that have a wand or stick with a toy dangling from the end of a leather strap. Balls are another great item to use as they provide the cat with chase and capture. They also like toys that can catch, pick up and toss in the air. There is no set number of toys your cat needs, but variety is key to keep her from getting bored with them. Sometimes cats play a little too hard and may scratch or bite you. You can teach your cat to inhibit this inappropriate play behavior by leaving the area when your cat is not playing nicely!

    Outdoor cats experience a wide range of temperatures. Since cats cannot sweat very well, they learn to seek shade in warm temperatures and warmth in cold temperatures. Indoor cats use shade, fans, bedding and blankets to regulate their temperature throughout the year.

    Most cats are so good at grooming themselves that they do not need baths to stay clean. Longhaired, obese, old or sick cats may need extra combing to remove mats. While cats in the wild do not have this luxury, you can help your cat stay healthy and clean if he struggles to do it for himself. For indoor cats, regular grooming sessions can be pleasurable experiences for both your cat and you.

    Understanding the natural elimination habits of cats will help prevent problems from developing. Most cats are meticulously clean; they cover their waste and try to eliminate in areas that have not been used before. And although cats eliminate in response to basic biological drives, they also use eliminations to mark their territory. To meet their territorial needs, a good rule to follow is to provide one litter pan per cat plus one in a household. (So, if you have two cats you will need three litter boxes). A litter box should also be located on every level of a multi-level home. Multiple boxes provide cats with appropriate places to eliminate and mark territory without offending you or other cats in the household. Litter boxes need to be placed in areas that provide easy access for the cat, while providing some privacy and a clear escape route. They must be located away from appliances and air ducts that could come on unexpectedly, and in an area that another animal or human cannot sneak up on them and startle them while they are "doing their business".