How to get instinctively close to your cat

According to Dr Sam Taylor, vet and specialist in feline medicine, “People often ask me what drives their cats’ more curious behaviours.” with questions such as:

"Why does my cat sleep in such strange places?"
"What is my cat trying to tell me when they blink slowly at me?"
"Why does my cat go missing, only to emerge hours later with a ‘present’ left ceremoniously on the doormat?"

Understanding why cats do the things they do and why they’re not as far removed from their big cat cousins as you might think can help you to get ‘instinctively closer’ to your cat.

: Cats are expert energy savers, spending between 10 and 13 hours a day asleep - but it's not unusual for a cat to sleep up to 17 hours. The rest of the time, they can transform into vagabond adventurers.¹
Instinct drives cats outside for a variety of reasons – to let off steam, hunt or patrol the borders of their territory. Most will limit their excursions to within sight of their home turf, but those with a more adventurous character may wander for miles ... and many cat owners have no idea what their cat gets up to when they are out!
What are the risks of exploring - and what can you do to protect your cat?
Whether your cat roams near or far from home, there are risks to their health and safety - but there are steps you can take to reduce these risks:
Exposure to other cats and wildlife can increase the risk of your cat picking up a transmissable disease.
It's essential to keep your cat's vaccination programme up to date - so be sure to speak with your vet about this.
Exposure to parasites through hunting or from the environment (including other pet-owning gardens and households) can all pose a risk to your Explorer cat.
The only way to ensure your cat is protected from harmful parasites including fleas, ticks, worms and lungworm is with a regular preventative treatment plan.
Going missing: Explorer cats will usually return home for food, warmth, safety and affection after a short spell. However, some cats will quite happily make themselves comfortable in a second or even third home if food, shelter and affection is offered! This can of course be really worrying to the owner.
Make sure your cat is traceable! Since 10th June, 2024, it is compulsory to microchip cats in the UK. This is fantastic news, as it gives you the greatest chance of being reunited with your beloved feline friend if they ever go missing.
When you've covered these essentials, you can relax (as best you can!) knowing that your cat has a raft of instincts to rely on.
Did you know:
Some cats have survived falls of over 65 feet (20 meters), due largely to their “righting reflex.” The eyes and balance organs in the inner ear tell it where it is in space so the cat can land on its feet. Even cats without a tail have this ability!²
: It’s easy to forget when they’re curled up in our laps, but cats are predators. When most cats go out and about, they will usually do what comes naturally.
Although it is a little gruesome, the gift of a kill from your cat is actually the ultimate compliment, and it’s in a cat’s instincts to bring home a token of success to someone it regards as family.
Hunting has very little to do with hunger; appetite only really affects their level of enthusiasm. Bringing the prey back home to you indicates that your cat feels secure there and sees your home as a safe place to eat now or keep for later.
However, hunting could increase the risk of your cat ingesting worm eggs, as they’ll often eat rodents or birds (which are often infested with worms) whilst on the hunt. Therefore, if your cat is a hunter it is especially important to ensure they’re protected from worms they may swallow along the way.
Did you know:
The smallest wildcat today is the Black- footed cat. The females are less than 20 inches (50 cm) long and can weigh as little as 2.5 lbs (1.2 kg).²
: Not all cats favour a footloose and fancy-free existence. Some can be nervous of the great outdoors and real threats such as other more dominant cats, wildlife or traffic. Fussier felines may also make a point of avoiding bad weather, meaning they can get restless when stuck indoors during the cold, wet winter months.
By instinct, cats will define their own boundaries within the home. Their unique agility, balance, coordination, flexibility and strength means there are few places that are out of bounds to a crafty cat.
In a survey of over 900 cat owners, 56% said that they let their cat sleep on the bed with them at night³. Many even like to sleep on you⁴!
It is often very funny to find your cat in an unlikely, seemingly inaccessible spot. But their curiosity can pose a serious health risk to your household if your cat is spreading parasite eggs to the places where you prepare food, eat and sleep.
Roundworms, for example, can cause disease in people, with potentially serious risks affecting the eyes, lungs, heart and nervous system. By ensuring your cat is wormed regularly, you can protect not just your pets, but your family and children too.
Fleas can pose a real risk to your cat’s health if they're left untreated and can be extremely hard to get rid of once they invade your home. About 95% of the typical household flea infestation is in the form of eggs, larvae and pupae, with only 5% visible in the form of the adult flea.
Ticks are another nasty parasite that can come into the house via your cat and drop off onto a bed, from where they could latch on to another pet or member of the family.
Make sure you keep your cat protected against fleas and ticks with a regular prevention programme.
Did you know:
A group of cats is referred to as a clowder² or a glaring, an unneutered male cat is called a tom or tomcat (or a gib, if neutered), an unneutered female is called a queen.
: Cats love to sleep – they usually sleep between 10-13 hours a day but can stretch to 17 hours!¹ When choosing a sleeping spot, cats will seek out warmth and safety. While they can nap anywhere, they’re likely to choose one of a few favourite spots where attack isn’t possible when they need some quality sleep. Enabling your cat to have routine and predictability in their life reduces stress and encourages calm.
If you notice your cat has moved to a new bed, this change of behaviour could indicate that the area has become a hotspot for fleas. If you notice this, it could be time to urgently review your cat’s flea treatment plan.
However, if your cat has taken themself off to somewhere more hidden than usual, there could be another reason - look at why they could be a Solo Artist.
Did you know:
A cat rubs against people not only to be affectionate but also to mark out its territory with scent glands around its face. The tail area and paws also carry the cat’s scent².
: While cats usually like sleeping in a favourite spot, you may find them sleeping somewhere new on occasion. There are a few reasons your cat may sleep in a new hidden spot:
Stress: Change in the home such as a new addition to the family (either four-legged or two-legged!) or renovation work can cause your cat to feel stressed and want to hide somewhere they feel safe. Providing your cat with a high-sided or cave-like bed can help them feel secure and reassured.
The home is too noisy: Cats, just like teenagers, need their alone time. When the home is overcrowded with unfamiliar, noisy visitors, cats can often take themselves away rather than socialise with the visitors. While it’s tempting to console them with cuddles, it's important to respect the fact that they need their space and advise your guests to do the same.
Instinct: In the wild, cats will often move on to different sleeping spots rather than stay in one place, and mother cats (known as queens) will sometimes move their litters to a new bed that they feel may be safer than the one they've first chosen.
Changes in the weather or seasons: Like us, cats like to sleep somewhere cosy when it's cold eg by a radiator or log burner, and somewhere cooler where they can sprawl out when it's warm!
They're ill or in pain: If your cat is feeling unwell or in pain, they may not want to sleep in their usual favourite bed, especially if that's up high or in a spot that's tricky to get to. Additionally, many cats prefer to be alone when they're in pain and will avoid contact with humans so may hide under a bed or behind furniture. If you notice unusual choices of sleeping spots, always seek advice from your vet.
Did you know:
The Egyptian Mau is probably the oldest breed of cat. In fact, the breed is so ancient that its name is the Egyptian word for ‘cat’.²
: Evolution has programmed domestic cats to mask signs of illness, so they don’t appear weak to predators or competitors. Dr Sam Taylor says: “Our modern moggie isn’t too far away from African wild cats – solitary hunters who could potentially be eaten by bigger predators. So, as opposed to dogs who are protected by their pack, cats have evolved to look after number one.”
Sometimes cat owners may recognise some of the signs of illness:
Changes in appetite or toilet habits could indicate worm infestation. Diarrhoea or other gastrointestinal signs and symptoms should act as red flags, as worms may be the cause in untreated cats.
Scratching, licking or chewing at the coat can be a sign of a flea infestation
A dull coat or lethargy can also be a sign your cat is unwell.
However, it’s important to acknowledge that many cats won’t show any obvious signs of distress or discomfort.
Sam’s advice is that many owners will never know their cat is unwell, so don’t take the risk: “Your cat may never show signs of having fleas or worms but if your cat is not protected, then they could be present.”
To ensure your cat receives optimal protection, we recommend discussing a tailored parasite prevention plan with your veterinarian. This approach considers your cat's individual lifestyle and exposure risks, ensuring they receive the most appropriate and effective preventatives.
Additionally, regular veterinary check-ups – at least annually, or more frequently for older pets or those with ongoing health concerns – are crucial for proactively addressing their evolving health needs and identifying potential risks early.
Did you know:
The furry tufts on the inside of cats’ ears are called “ear furnishings”. They insulate the ear and help filter out sounds and debris. It’s important to keep ears healthy and parasite free.²
: While we may have to earn their trust, it’s a myth that cats may be cold and unloving. They simply show affection in subtle ways, using a combination of body language, postures and vocalisations.
If your cat looks at you with half-closed eyes while slowly blinking, it’s a sign of trust. These special eye blinks are known by some as cat kisses – they convey relaxation, contentment, and affection.
Head-bumping and cheek rubbing are also signs of affection and invitations to socialise.
Kneading on your lap is a sign that your cat associates your relationship with the maternal bond. When feeding, kittens tread with alternate front paws at their mother’s teats to stimulate milk flow.
However, patting or biting you could be a sign they are bored and trying to initiate play, but may also be a sign that your cat needs some space. It’s always a good idea to make sure your cat has somewhere in the house they can retreat to if they are feeling stressed, where they feel safe and secure.
Did you know:
A cat’s hearing is better than a dog’s. And a cat can hear high-frequency sounds up to two octaves higher than a human.²