Kitty cats are really something, aren’t they? They are cuddly, lovable, and often can be our best friends. They are amazing a play a major role in our lives. However, those cute kitties have some strange habits and rituals that leaves us scratching our heads. Has one of your cats ever ran outside simply to eat grass? Have you ever witnessed a cat who kneads on a blanket or soft surface? These are just a couple of the odd habits I am talking about. Even though it seems weird to us, there are logical reasons behind these unusual tendencies. Let’s take a minute to discuss why felines have these peculiar habits.
There are cats who like to catch a bite of grass when they can. It might seem abnormal to you but they have a reason for doing it. So why do cats eat grass? Many times cats will nibble on some grass when they have an upset stomach or have are having trouble digesting certain kinds of foods. Eating grass also helps your cat rid itself of any hairballs that they are having trouble getting rid of. It also provides added nutrients to your cat that they might not be getting from their cat food. It is very rare, but a cat might consume as a method of oral fixation. Some cats with behavioral issues have a tendency to chew on unusual objects and grass is one of these. While grass is not completely dangerous to your cat you should discourage the behavior. Some people put pesticides or other types of chemicals onto their lawns and this could make your cat extremely ill.
If you have ever seen a cat push its paws back and forth on a blanket or soft surface this is called kneading. You may be wondering why do cats knead on those blankets. There are several reasons why a cat might do this. One reason they do this is to create a comforting place to sleep. The most common reason a cat kneads is to show their happiness and appreciation as well as feeling of content. Similar to what dogs do when they urinate on objects, cats may also be marking their territories, meaning, stay away from my blanket! Kittens tend to knead against their mother when they were being fed so some also believe that they are trying to generate some form of nourishment. This could mean that your cat may have been taken away from their mother too soon and are simply trying to recreate that feeling of nourishment.
Cats are unique creatures but there is a reason behind all of the silly little things they do. They tend to love us no matter what so I am sure we can manage to do that for them.