Behaviour & Training

Owners are constantly baffled when they buy their cat a cool new toy and they're much more interested in the box it came in! But why do cats love boxes so much? Keep reading to find out why. It’s a widely known fact that cats love boxes. To them, no toy in the world, no matter how expensive or fancy it may be, compares to a simple cardboard box. It’s a phenomenon that baffles most cat owners, especially when they’ve just purchased a great new bed or cool toy, and their cat seems to prefer the packaging it came in. In this article we explore why cats like boxes and tell you all about why they make the perfect snoozing and hunting ground for your cat.

It's a common misconception that cats will only wag their tails when they're angry, but there's actually loads of reasons why they may do this. Find out everything you need to know about cat tail language in this article. A cat’s body language can often be hard to decipher. Cats are very complex and every individual is different, so the way they tell you how they feel isn’t always obvious to us humans. It’s really easy to misread your cat’s behaviour, which can often result in being swatted away by an unhappy kitty when you go in for a pet at the wrong time. One thing in particular that can help you understand how your furry friend is feeling is their tail. Contrary to popular belief, a cat’s tail is really expressive and can give you an invaluable insight into if they’re feeling playful, happy,scared or irritated. Keep reading to discover the secrets behind cat tail language and discover more about your cat’s emotions.

Have you ever asked ‘why does my cat lick me’? It’s a common question many cat owners have. The truth is there are a number of different reasons why your cat licks you – and many of them are to do with affection!

Hearing a cat meowing at night is not uncommon – but if you're a cat owner and it’s your cat that is meowing at night, this might be something that you are concerned about – or that your neighbours are concerned about! Also known as night vocalisation or night calling, if your cat is meowing at night, it can be a problem if it is a sign of their boredom, discomfort or it’s disturbing your rest. Read on to find out more about the reasons that your cat may be being particularly vocal at night. It’s widely known that cats are night owls – or at least they are especially active in the early parts of the night – and then again in the early hours. Often it seems that the moment we switch off the light to relax and sleep, their night is just beginning. And when they’re getting up to their night time antics, they may also meow a lot too. This can be extremely disruptive – to you, and if they are doing it outside, to your neighbours too – and it can get in the way of you getting your much-needed rest. If your feline friend does this and you’re wondering why does my cat meow at night and what can I do about it? We’ve got the answers to your questions! Here at Purina, we’ve put together this guide to tell you all you need to know.

Cats are very inquisitive creatures and if you share your life with one, you’ve probably become accustomed to them staring at you from time to time. If your kitty does this you’ll likely be wondering, “why does my cat stare at me?” Find out why with this article. If you have the honour of sharing your home with a feline, you’re probably no stranger to that ‘“I’m being watched’” feeling. Whether you’re making dinner, sitting on the sofa or just waking up in the morning, it’s not uncommon that you’ll find your cat staring at you with their big, round eyes – but what is it that they are trying to tell you? We’ve put together this guide to tell you the possible reasons why your cat stares at you so, keep reading to unlock the secrets of your pet’s behaviour.

Whether you enjoy a soothing meow every now and then or you’re growing impatient with all your cat’s attempts to make conversation, the reasons why cats meow are just as fascinating as the kittens themselves. Find out more here. As a proud cat owner, you are by now probably used to the daily soundtrack of meows and purrs your cat shares with you. But did you know that the way cats communicate with other cats is mainly via scent, and cat meowing is a language reserved for humans only? That’s to say, cats don’t meow at each other, only at humans, and meowing is a learned behaviour. Different meows tend to mean different things too and a subtle difference in one meow to another can indicate your cat is talking to you for a very different reason! Why would cats, who are better known for their “can’t be bothered” attitude, go to all the trouble to communicate with us? They must have something important to say. So if your cat won’t stop meowing and you need help deciphering what this means, here are the top reasons why cats meow.

As more cats are living longer, owners and vets get more frequently confronted with age-related problems such as cat dementia. We’ve rounded up the most common signs and ways to keep your senior cat comfortable. Our cats are now living longer than ever before and there is no better news for owners looking to spend extra years with their lovely feline companions. But prolonged lives also come with increased prevalence of senior cat health problems and dementia can be one of them.

If you have a cat that goes outside, you’re probably no stranger to having dead creatures turn up on your doorstep. While some cats may be more adept hunters than others, you may still find yourself wondering about the reasons behind this hunting behaviour. If you have an outdoor cat, it’s incredibly likely that you’ve had dead mice or birds turn up on your doorstep. This may range from just the occasional delivery to something that you’ve come to expect each and every morning. This tendency to bring us hunting gifts has baffled cat owners across the globe and many find themselves wondering about the reasons behind cat hunting behaviours. This is especially true when your cat is regularly fed and given all the attention and fuss they could possibly wish for! If you have a cat that’s an adept hunter, it helps to understand why they hunt.

Most cats will be perfectly happy being left alone during the day, but if you need to leave them for longer, you may need to look into some different options such as boarding catteries or cat sitting services. As cats snooze for around two thirds of their day (and even more in their senior years) and are happiest in their own homes, they should be fine left to their own devices for shorter periods of time, as long as you give them plenty of love and quality playtime when they’re awake! However, if you’re going to be away for longer than a day, you’ll need to make sure that your cat is properly cared for. If you can’t find a willing friend, you could try use a cat sitting service or even consider a boarding cattery.

Although training is more traditionally associated with dogs, you can also teach your cat a few tricks, too! Your moggy can learn to recognise their name and come to you when you call them. To help your pet pick up these skills, it’s important to train your kitten from an early age and as soon as possible.

Bring some excitement into your pet’s life with these videos for cats including the all-time favourite mice, birds and squirrels. Don’t be surprised if your cat can’t help but press the subscribe button. No doubt your kitty is delighted to have found a safe and comfortable haven in your home. There is plenty of food, warmth and, fortunately, not a lot of danger lurking around the corner of the living room. But the bliss of a sheltered lifestyle has a downside for your cat – there is just not as much exciting stuff to meow about. Luckily you can recreate the thrill of the outdoors without leaving the couch with a few well-picked videos for cats. All you need is a device connected to the internet and a screen protector to keep it scratch-free in case your cat gets too excited. From mice, squirrels and birds just minding their business in the big outdoors to silly interactive games, we’ve put together a cat filmography that will keep whiskers glued to the screen for hours.

Curling up with your cat as she purrs is a comfort to all pet owners. It’s a sign they’re happy, content, and feeling settled on your lap, enjoying lots of fuss and attention – or is it?