Although we humans may not always understand what they’re saying, cats have exceptional communication skills and talk to humans and other animals – sometimes in ways that are not always obvious – but in others that are widely recognized as behavioral and vocal clues to their moods and thoughts.
In this series of three articles, we’ll explore general groupings of behaviors – “How Can I Tell If My Cat Feels Safe?”, “How Can I Tell If My Cat Feels Wary?” and “How Can I Tell If My Cat Feels Defensive?”
I’m engaging in instinctive precautionary measures, just in case
Sometimes you may see your cats attempt to bury their food. This is an instinctive reaction to hide their food from others and protect their food supply.
Once in a while, your cat may vomit immediately following rapid consumption of food. If this is done due to gorging, it is an instinctive reaction. Non-domesticated felines, such as tigers living in the wild, are not guaranteed food availability. Because of this, they will instinctively eat as much as possible and as quickly as possible to minimize the chance of their food being stolen. This gorging behavior in your own cat can result in immediate vomiting and is not typically concerning. However, you should always contact your vet to be certain there are no worrisome underlying conditions that cause vomiting.
Cats will often also bury their feces in the litter box; this is also a means of concealing their presence from predators, although some cats will not bury their feces to establish territory. Problematic litterbox behavior, however, should always be investigated further as it can be caused by both physical and behavioral issues, both of which can be positively resolved.
Your cat’s behaviors are very important in communicating his or her emotions and health. Once you are familiar with your cat’s language, you’ll be able to often identify your cat’s mood and emotional needs. It is very important, however, to always contact your vet if your cat demonstrates abnormal, concerning, or abruptly different behavior or routines.