injuries . So cat owners who suspect their cat isn ’ t walking in circles out of excitement to see them should bring those concerns to the attention of their veterinarians .

Photo by Cédric VT on Unsplash

Individuals considering adopting a kitten for the first time or even seasoned cat lovers may not know what to expect when bringing a feline home for the first time . That ’ s because no two cats are the same . However , quirkiness comes with the territory when welcoming a cat into a home , and prospective cat owners can expect to encounter these four common quirks as they prepare to welcome a cat into the family .

1 . Kneading : Sometimes referred to as “ making biscuits ,” kneading may concern first-time cat owners , even though it shouldn ’ t . Kneading

occurs when cats push out and pull in their front paws against a particular surface , such as a piece of furniture . The action resembles kneading dough and is a good sign that a cat is comfortable in its surroundings .

2 . Walking in circles : Cats may walk in circles for various reasons . The online cats resource Faqcats . com notes that some cats circle their owners in excitement when their human companions return home from work or other errands . However , cats may walk in circles to show dominancy or because they ’ re in pain or suffering from an illness such as vestibular disease . Vestibular disease affects the inner ear of cats , particularly older ones . Cats also may walk in circles while suffering from ear infections , hypertension or head

3 . Hunting : Cats can be fascinating creatures to observe , and that includes their fondness for hunting , even if they ’ ve already eaten or know where their food is . The online cat resource Catster . com indicates that cats ’ eyes are designed to detect movement , so it shouldn ’ t be a surprise or a cause for concern if they ’ re suddenly stimulated by something that moves and go into hunting mode .

4 . Staring at blank walls : One of the more curious and common quirks cats exhibit is the tendency to stare at walls for lengthy periods of time . Cats naturally have a wider peripheral vision than humans , so it ’ s possible that a cat staring at a seemingly blank wall is actually seeing something on its periphery that its owner can ’ t see . Cats also can hear better than their human companions , so they might be staring at a wall because they can hear something their owner can ’ t . Cats also might stare at a wall where they had seen something earlier , such as a shadow , and are now awaiting its return . Some older cats may stare at walls out of confusion , which is a potential warning sign of cat dementia . However , in most instances there ’ s nothing abnormal about a cat staring at a wall for a lengthy period of time .

Cats are quirky , and many of those quirks are part of what makes cats such enjoyable pets . n

February 2023 | Valdosta Scene 45