Funny Cat Quirks and Habits That Might Surprise You

by Lisa Selvaggio

Updated: October 20th, 2022

As you get to know cats, you may realize that they have quite a few interesting habits. And there may be instances in which you wonder why your kitty is acting a certain way.

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But your cat’s behavior doesn’t have to be a mystery, as experts have worked hard to figure out why felines do certain things that might not make much sense to you. Here are a few examples of kitty quirks and the possible reasons behind these behaviors.

Finding Squares to Sit In

It’s a well-known fact that cats like sitting in boxes. But have you noticed that your cat will sit on a square or rectangular object? And if you were to create a square on the floor using masking tape, your cat might end up taking a seat inside the lines.

What’s this behavior all about? Well, it might be a way for cats to feel a little more secure. Basically, by sitting in an outline of a box, they might get the same sense of safety that they get when inside a box. Of course, giving your pet actual boxes, such as cardboard boxes and cat condos, is best.

Wiping the Floor Around the Food Bowl

You know that cats like to cover their urine and feces with litter, but what might surprise you is that some of them also make the same motion after they’re done eating. In other words, a cat might eat and then start wiping the floor around the food bowl. And if there is anything nearby that she could use to cover the bowl, she might reach for it and use her claws to pull it over.

Although this behavior seems odd, your cat may simply be following her instincts. Wild felines might cover their food for reasons like hiding their scent so other animals won’t be able to find them.

Try to take note of when your cat exhibits this behavior. For example, it might happen every time she eats or only when some food gets on the floor and she wants to clean the area. Or, you might notice your kitty doing this when there are leftovers in the bowl or when she doesn’t like a particular food.

Getting Excited When You Change the Sheets on Your Bed

When you have a cat, the simple act of changing the sheets on your bed turns into an amusing experience because your kitty will probably want to jump on the bed and start playing. Although this might stop you from efficiently making the bed, it’s fun watching your pet get excited as she darts under the sheets with loads of energy.

Why do cats do this? Well, the motion of the sheets or the fact that they create a sort of cave-like environment to hide in might get her ready to “hunt.” Or, perhaps your cat just likes clean sheets as much as you do. Whatever the reason is, this is one quirk that is sure to make you giggle.

Lisa Selvaggio

Lisa Selvaggio is a freelance writer and editor, and our resident cats-pert, with certifications in pet nutrition and pet first aid. She enjoys producing content that helps people understand animals better so they can give their pets a safe and happy home.

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Puppy Dog Eyes Didn't Evolve Just for Humans, Study Finds

Every doggy parent will agree that resisting puppy dog eyes is virtually impossible. Until recently, researchers have believed that dogs developed this adorable and deeply manipulative facial expression because of domestication. But a new study debunks this theory.Previous research studies, published in 2019 and 2022, surmised that dogs evolved new muscles around their eyes to improve their communication with humans. However, a new study into African wild dogs challenges this theory, finding that other canine species have similar muscle adaptations that make them capable of pulling puppy dog eye expressions.The 2019 study found that domestic dogs had more developed specialized muscles around their eyes, compared to wolves, which allowed them to make a wider range of facial expressions. Researchers theorized that these muscles evolved as dogs began living with humans so they could mimic human expressions and therefore encourage their companions to take better care of them. “We were curious to see, is that true. Or do these muscles also exist in other highly social canids?” said Heather Smith, the lead author of the new study. Her findings were published in the journal The Anatomical Record.To see if other canines have the same puppy dog eye muscles as domestic dogs, scientists dissected a dead African wild dog that was donated by a zoo. To everyone’s surprise, African wild dogs had the same muscles and they were just as developed as those in domestic dogs. Additionally, researchers discovered that African wild dogs also possess facial muscles that support the movement of their characteristically large ears. “This morphology suggests that ocular facial expressions contribute to within-pack communication in wild dogs and are not unique to domestic dogs,” researchers wrote in the study. “African wild dogs have the same well-developed facial muscles that generate the puppy dog eye expression in domestic dogs,” said Smith. “So it kind of debunks the idea that domestic dogs are the only canids that have this, and that they evolved specifically for us.” African wild dogs communicate mostly vocally, but their well-developed facial muscles suggest that these canines use other, still unknown, non-vocal forms of communication within the pack. Researchers speculate that the well-developed facial muscles used for puppy dog eyes, help African wild dogs to silently communicate and coordinate while hunting. Previous studies into puppy dog eyes found that domestic dogs have more developed eye muscles around their eyes than wolves. Now, researchers believe that’s because wolves rely less on visual communication while hunting than domestic dogs and African wild dogs. Wolves hunt in many different landscapes, including in mountains and dense forests. In these conditions, each wolf is more likely to be hidden by a rock or a tree when stalking prey. As a result, wolves may have evolved to communicate using more complex vocalizations and scent signs rather than visual cues. Although puppy dog eyes didn’t evolve just for humans, this facial expression has helped strengthen the bond we have with our pups. Those tiny facial muscles flex, creating an infamously cute, pleading expression.Resisting puppy dog eyes is extremely hard, and dogs know it! Every time your pooch wants an extra treat, more time in the yard, or more food, they will look at you with those big pleading eyes and manipulate you into giving them exactly what they want.But, at the end of the day, there’s nothing to complain about. You love your pooch and will give them anything they want, puppy dog eyes or not. Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

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