Cats, like people, have things they like and dislike. Every owner should know what makes their pet happy so as not to distract their pet from its enjoyable activity and become its enemy.
When they are not woken up and they sleep peacefully
Cats are enormous sleepers, able to spend up to 20 hours a day in the kingdom of Morpheus. This may seem excessive to humans, but for a cat, it's perfectly normal. Such long sleep periods stem from the fact that their ancestors required a great deal of energy to track and catch prey, after which they would rest for a long time. Today, domestic cats no longer need to hunt for food, but the law of "conservation of energy" still applies.
Cats' ancestors hunted primarily in the early morning and late at night, as prey is least active and easier to catch at these times. Therefore, domestic cats are often awake when their owners are resting, and sleep during the day. Although cats' daytime sleep is shallow and more like a light nap with their eyes closed, they still dislike being disturbed. Sometimes, these purrs can fall into a deep sleep, and amorous advances from their owners at this time can be extremely negative.
Moreover, if a cat is constantly disturbed while sleeping, even during the day, it can become angry, aggressive, and unsociable. Some may even run away if given the chance. Such situations most often occur in families with small children. It is extremely important to prevent children from constantly cuddling the cat.
Scratch with claws
Some owners are upset that their furry pets sharpen their claws on everything around them, ruining wallpaper and furniture. But they don't do this to cause harm; cats have their own reasons for doing so:
- The desire to mark one's place. Scratches are a visual proof and marker. Cats have glands on their paws that secrete a specific secretion that only other cats can detect. It's a kind of cat "document" of ownership of furniture or the entire room (if they scratch the wallpaper).
- Nail cleaning. Debris and dead skin particles accumulate under a cat's claws, causing discomfort. To remove this debris, cats scratch wherever they find most comfortable. Regular scratching allows their claws to grow unimpeded.
- Stretch your body. Since cats sleep 16-20 hours a day, their bodies often suffer from stiffness. When cats scratch, their bodies stretch out and their muscles relax.
No pet owner is happy to see their pet ruin furniture and wallpaper with their claws, but there is a solution. A good scratching post is inexpensive, much cheaper than a new sofa or a room renovation. This device will not only protect your apartment from cat claws but also make a nice gift for your purring cat.
Lying in the sun
Many happy cat owners have noticed that their pets love to bask in the sun. This isn't due to a desire to become tanned or get a healthy dose of vitamin D, but to a deeper reason.
Cats have a slightly higher body temperature than humans, at 39 degrees Celsius. Cats require a lot of energy to maintain their body temperature. Furthermore, cats have a very high metabolism, which further increases their energy expenditure.
By lounging in the sun, cats help their bodies reduce energy expenditure. During sleep, metabolism slows, and a warm spot helps offset some of the body's heat loss.
In winter and autumn, when the sun rarely appears, cats choose other warm places, such as radiators or computer system units.
Look out the window
Cats are naturally inquisitive, a legacy inherited from their ancestors, who were skilled hunters and devoted themselves entirely to exploring everything around them. These purring creatures often entertain themselves with various pranks and by observing what's happening in the outside world, i.e., outside the window. Scientists have found that they devote 12% of their time to this activity, making observation top of the list of things to do for cats (after sleep, of course).
A bird flies past the window, a stray cat passes in the distance, a ball rolls across the yard—a domestic cat will notice all these small changes. The hunting season is long gone, but the hunting instincts remain. That's why cats will watch the washing machine, their owner's movements, or a parrot in its cage. At the root of all these activities lies a feline's primal curiosity.
Pets engrossed in watching from the window can fall out, so owners should protect their pets. Mosquito nets are an excellent option – they will not only prevent falls but also prevent insects from entering the room. If there are no nets, windows can be opened only for ventilation (if available), rather than fully.
