What a little weirdo! But is this behavior normal?
All cats have weird little quirks. But how do you know that your cat’s cute quirk is normal and not a sign of a health issue? Read on to learn how to tell the difference between harmless kitty quirks and behaviors that could be a sign of trouble.
Face Rubbing
If your cat really likes you, she’ll probably walk up to you and rub her face against yours. She may even rub her face against inanimate objects! This is normal cat behavior; cats have scent glands on their cheeks and in the corners of their mouths. When they rub against you, they are putting their scent you; and that’s a pretty good compliment from a cat!
However, don’t confuse face rubbing with head pressing. If you notice your cat persistently pressing their head against a hard object, take them to the vet immediately! This is a sign of a neurological disorder.
Eating Plants
Cats are carnivores, right? So, why do they insist on nibbling on all the houseplants?
Cats can actually get essential nutrients from plants. Eating a lot of green vegetation can help cats to process hard-to-digest substances, like hairballs. So, you may see a few hairballs around the house after your cat has a “salad”. Eating greens is healthy for cats, as long as what they eat isn’t toxic. Consider getting your cat some cat grass if you want them to leave your houseplants alone, and read up on toxic plants so that you can make sure your houseplants are cat-safe.
Motor Mouth
Just like people, some cats are more “talkative” than others! Some breeds of cats, like Siamese, tend to be more vocal in general. There’s nothing wrong with a cat that likes to communicate by meowing. However, pay a visit to the vet if you have a quiet cat that suddenly becomes vocal.
Sneezing
Did you know that cats can get seasonal allergies? That’s right, just like people, cats are prone to allergies, as well as sinus irritation and upper respiratory infections. If the sneezing continues for more than a few days, check in with your vet to see if allergies are the culprit.
Finger Licking
Many cats lick fingers because it’s a comforting behavior that reminds them of nursing. Others simply like the taste of salt or hand lotion.
If your cat licks excessively, it could be a sign of anxiety. Other signs of anxiety in cats include pacing, chewing on fabrics, sudden vocalizations, and excessive grooming. These behaviors are not normal and may only be temporary; talk with your vet about methods for calming your cat’s anxiety.
Get in Touch with the Catonsville Cat Clinic!
For 20 years, the Catonsville Cat Clinic has been providing quality veterinary care to the cats of Catonsville and beyond! Dr. Pam Nesbitt, who purchased the practice in July of 2011, runs the Catonsville Cat Clinic with compassion in mind. A team of professionals with an advanced level of veterinary medicine is at your service to make sure your cat is healthy and happy. So stop on by; we’d love to get to know you and your cat!
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