Cats make for very entertaining pets due to their occasionally strange behavior, but it can be hard to know what is normal and what is not. New research has now found what is unusual and what is considered normal, as well as what could be a cause for concern for owners.
The study published in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior by scientists from a number of different institutions assessed 816 cat owners and asked them to fill out a survey specially designed to analyze their pets' behavior.
The researchers found that cats being curious about new objects or surroundings was very common, having been reported in 82 percent of cases. Purring when being stroked was also very common, accounting for around 81 percent of those studied.
Behaviors that were identified as never or seldom happening by more than 90 percent of owners included spraying (standing position with tail raised vertically) outside of the litterbox or on surfaces, sudden frantic licking or chewing, pacing or growling and hissing.
"Understanding normal behavior helps improve animal welfare, and especially so with cats, whose antics can be as mystifying as they are cute," the study's lead author, David J. Menor-Campos of the Universidad de Córdoba in Spain, said in a summary of the findings.
"When cat owners understand what's normal and what's abnormal for their pet, they can spot warning signs and address behavioral or health issues before they become too severe."
It also appeared that female cats were more likely to act aggressively and got scared more easily. Male cats, however, appeared friendlier and more sociable to humans. They were also more vocal than females.
A cat's behavior was also linked to their surroundings. Those that lived in a rural setting, for example, were less playful and were more likely to hunt than those living in smaller apartments.
Overall, the study concluded that "there are significant differences in cats' behavior related to various factors, including the cat's breed, sex, reproductive status, age of acquisition, source of acquisition, and the environment in which they live."
"Other factors that may affect cat behavior include the type of home, sleep preferences, time alone, and the presence of other pets in the household," the authors wrote.
As one of the most popular pets, the authors noted that these findings should help owners distinguish worrying behaviors more efficiently. Behavior issues are "quite common among domestic cats," the study reports, but owners are "often reluctant to ask for help when their relationship with their cat is in difficulty.
"Increasing knowledge about cat behavior is likely to be beneficial for both current and future cat owners, as it enables them to make informed decisions when deciding to acquire a cat or when dealing with an existing one," the authors wrote.
"Moreover, clinicians can detect changes in behavior that may indicate medical conditions or welfare issues and provide proper guidance to cat owners."
Newsweek has contacted Menor-Campos by email for further information.
Do you have a tip on a science story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about cats? Let us know via science@newsweek.com.
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