12 of the Weirdest Cat Behaviors Explained

Ever wondered why cat memes were the most famous memes of 2024? It’s not just because cats are cute but they can be very weird. And if you have a cat at home, you’re witnessing strange actions daily. 

Sometimes you laugh and sometimes you have no choice but to stare at your cat puzzled and google what your cat's weird behaviour means. 

That’s why this article will explain the 12 of the weirdest behaviours your cat does.

Baking cookies

Social media calls it baking cookies, but this weird behaviour is actually called kneading. Cats knead with their front paws, and it’s something they’ve done since they were little. Back then, it helped them get milk from their mom. 

Some cats grow out of it, but others keep doing it as adults. Most cats knead when they’re happy and satisfied. Plus, it spreads their scent and marks their territory. 

And some people think cats knead for the same reason we fluff our pillows; to make their spot extra cozy before lying down.

Chattering at birds through the window

If you have an indoor cat, you’ve probably seen your little one make a chattering sound while watching birds through the window. This behaviour is done with rapid jaw movements and a mix of chirps and clicks. 

Some cat owners think their cat is trying to mimic the sound of its prey to get it closer. But researchers believe it’s more of an instinct than a trick. 

It’s not the sound that matters but the quick jaw movements. This is linked to something called the "killing bite reflex," a fast neck movement cats use to snap their prey’s neck in the wild.

Destroying your brand-new furniture

Your cat isn’t being revengeful by scratching your furniture just because you didn’t feed them again after they already ate. Scratching is a natural and necessary behaviour for cats. 

They do it for a few reasons: getting rid of dirt and buildup under their claws, sharpening them, or filing them down if they’re overgrown. 

It also helps mark their territory using scent glands in their paws and gives them a good, much-needed stretch on the back and legs. 

Outdoor cats scratch trees, pavement, and grass all the time. Your indoor cat can benefit from scratching posts or boards with different textures, and regular nail trims can also help.

Decorating the house with shredded toilet paper

Remember those times you forgot to close the bathroom door before leaving the house, only to come back to a home decorated in white confetti? Except it wasn’t confetti. It was shredded toilet paper, and the mastermind behind the mess was your cat. 

This strange (and sometimes frustrating) behaviour comes from their attraction to the rolling movement of the toilet paper and its texture. 

Your cat will turn to toilet rolls if it doesn’t have enough automated toys. The movement triggers their play instinct, and the soft texture feels nice to them. 

If you often forget to hide your toilet paper or close the bathroom door, consider getting your cat a few interactive toys with different textures, like balls or toy mice.

Waking you up at 4 AM

Your cat wakes you up at dawn or anytime from 4 am to 6 am because cats are crepuscular animals. This means they are most active at dusk and dawn, just like lions when they hunt. 

Your cat’s instincts tell it to hunt during these times, but since it doesn’t need to, it just wakes you up instead.

Sucking on wool

Some of the cutest cat photos are of a kitty playing with a ball of yarn. But this adorable behaviour might actually be harmful. 

Your cat might suck on wool because it reminds them of their mother. It’s soft and fuzzy, just like she was. 

If a kitten was taken away too early, especially while still nursing, they might seek the same comforting feeling in something else. If it’s not yarn, it could be a soft, fuzzy blanket they latch onto. 

But be careful. These objects are made from fibers that can cause digestive and intestinal problems if swallowed.

Kicking with its hind legs

You’ve probably seen your cat during play, especially with bigger toys, lay on its back, grab the toy with its paws, hold it with its mouth, and kick rapidly with its hind legs.

This movement, called the bunny kick, mimics a rabbit’s legs. It’s an instinctual behavior.

Cats use it to hold down prey and try to immobilize it. They also do it to protect their exposed belly while on their back.

Licking the plastic bag like a popsicle 

While some cats are terrified of plastic bags, others can’t wait to get their paws on one and start licking it. 

Some believe cats are drawn to the taste because plastic bags are often made with animal byproducts. 

Others think this behaviour starts when they’re kittens and teething. If a kitten grows to love the texture and crinkling sound, they might carry the habit into adulthood. 

But you should be extremely careful and, if possible, not let your cat do this at all. Plastic can be a serious choking hazard, cause intestinal problems, and even lead to suffocation.

Shoves their butt in your face

Not so weird, but definitely a bit rude, is when your cat presents its butt directly to your face. While this might seem icky, it’s actually a very positive gesture in cat language. 

When a cat shows you their backside, it’s an invitation for you to get a little sniff, which translates to: "Hi, hello, I feel safe with you, and I'm happy to be around you." 

The great part is, you don’t have to sniff your cat’s butt to say the same thing. All you need to do is pet them or give them a scratch.

Trying to sit on your keyboard

If you work from home and have an indoor cat, you’re never working alone. Your cat is probably right next to you, but sometimes they might try to get in the way by sitting on your keyboard. 

This could be because cats love warmth, and your laptop is a good heat source. You could try placing a heating pad or mat nearby for your cat to relax on instead. 

If your cat blocks your screen, it might be jealous of the attention you're giving to your laptop. Some cats also like mimicking their owners, thinking it’s a way to bond. 

A few pet owners have even bought small toy laptops to keep their cats busy while they work.

Cardboard box over toys and soft beds

It’s crazy how much money you spend on cat toys and beds, only for your cat to always choose the cardboard box. This behaviour isn’t to spite you. It’s instinctual. 

Small boxes mimic the hiding spots cats use in the wild when they're stalking prey. 

Bigger boxes provide shade, helping them blend in and hide like they would in nature.

Plus, small prey in the wild hides in small spaces. So your cat instinctually must have a look in that box.

Sitting at the highest point possible in the room

You’ve probably noticed that your cat always tries to be at the highest point it can reach. 

If you don’t let it on the table, it will jump on the chair. If you stop it from getting on the counter, it will try the table or even your shoulder. 

Cats do this because higher spots give them a better view. Like their wild relatives, they seek the highest point to keep watch. 

If you have multiple cats, the one that sits the highest might be doing so to establish dominance in their cat hierarchy.

Final Thoughts

Your cat isn’t weird, it’s just following its instincts, passed down through generations. Cats used to prey on smaller animals, while bigger ones preyed on them. 

As both predator and prey, they had to learn survival skills. These behaviours helped their ancestors survive, but now they’re just here to entertain you and the internet with cat memes.