Behaviour & Training

Being a cat owner is an experience that comes with countless adorable moments, but there are a few head-scratching ones too that we are still trying to decipher. In this article, we’re looking at cats and cucumbers and why people shouldn’t get involved with the craze of these online videos. We have plenty of studies – and of course, our own understanding and intuition with regards to our feline friends that help us figure out some of their weird likes and dislikes, such as why cats like to sleep so much or why cats adore boxes. But why are cats scared of cucumbers? If you’ve seen videos of cats scared out of their skin by a humble cucumber, no doubt you’ve got questions. But before we dive into the answers, it’s important to understand how a cat’s fear response works.

Cats bring so much joy from the very first moment they walk into our lives. But they also bring with them plenty of bizarre habits and mind-boggling behaviours. We’re still scratching our heads at their intense fear of cucumbers, and we still enjoy inventing theories about cats’ adorable love for cardboard boxes. But when night-time comes, we realise there’s even more to discover about the mysterious feline in the family. As humans and other pets get ready to wind down for the evening, cats are often on their own schedule, roaming around the house looking for cuddles, snacks and mischief to get into. Could this spurt of activity at night mean that cats are nocturnal? And how could this impact our lives with them? Keep reading to learn more about this feline behaviour.

The question of cats’ eyesight, and how much they can see, has been one that’s fascinated owners and scientists alike. Not only have many of us wondered about their apparently incredible night vision, the question of whether cats can see colour or not has often been discussed with some thinking that cats live an exclusively monochrome existence. But what’s the truth? Are cats' colour blind or can they appreciate a rainbow of hues just like we can?

With all the dangers of modern urban life, more and more cat owners are opting to keep their felines permanently at home. Providing cats get plenty of opportunities for mental and physical enrichment, most will adapt well to living life as a house cat, but some will be less happy with this arrangement and will stare longingly at the window, begging to be let out.

Cats often have a reputation for being independent and aloof. So, you might be surprised to notice that your cat is following you everywhere you go. Are they trying to get your attention, or is this just their way of showing you how much they love you? Unfortunately, cats can’t tell us directly why they’re following us, but we’ve been around these furry creatures long enough to come up with a good list of possible explanations. If your cat is following you, here is what might be going on.

Cats are one of the internet’s favourite creatures and you can’t scroll through social media these days without seeing a whiskered face looking back at you. But this love of felines isn’t just a new fad - prior to the internet craze there were (and still are!) a number of famous cartoon cats that stole the show. Here’s the list of our 14 favourite famous cartoon cats from comic books, films and TV shows. We’re sure you’ll recognise a face or two!

Cats are quite finicky creatures, and it is well known that they like their creature comforts and cleanliness, especially when it comes to their litter tray. We can’t really blame them though, wouldn’t you much rather a clean loo, after all? Cleaning your cat’s litter tray is incredibly important for their well-being and can even help to prevent toileting problems. So, how often should you change cat litter? Once a day? Once a week? Keep reading to find out all you need to know.

If you have a cat who has access to the great outdoors, you are probably no stranger to receiving ‘gifts’ from time to time. These treasures may take the form of dead spiders, mice, or even bigger prey like rabbits or squirrels (if your cat is a particularly adept hunter). This behaviour is one that frequently baffles owners, particularly when there is delicious food that is readily available at home. So, why do cats bring you dead animals? Keep reading to find out all you need to know about why you receive these little unwanted presents. Why do cats bring you dead animals?

Having a baby is an exciting time but it’s also a huge disruption for the entire household. And this of course includes your cat. Cats like familiarity and predictability in their routine and in their environment. They bond to their home often as much as they do with their people, and they do not like change. A baby, and everything that comes with it, is very definitely a big change! So here is how to make sure the first baby-cat meeting goes smoothly.

It may be difficult to believe that cats get cold despite them being extremely adaptable creatures. If your cat gets too cold, they could be at risk of health conditions such as hypothermia and frostbite. When the colder weather starts to set in, it is important to know when the temperature is too low for your cat and when they should be kept nice and warm inside. So, do cats feel the cold, and if so, when is it too cold for them?

We often think that our cats lead lives of total luxury with their every whim catered for, so it can come as a surprise to realise that such a life of leisure can lead to feline boredom. Much like dogs, cats can develop serious behaviour problems if they become bored and they can express that boredom in rather destructive ways. So, carry on reading to find out more about cat boredom and whether you are the owner of a bored cat.

You’ve probably heard the rustling of a plastic bag when you’ve returned from the weekly shop, just to see your cat biting and shredding it with great enthusiasm. But why do cats gnaw or eat plastic? We’ve got it all explained below – including when it’s a cause for concern. Read on to find out all you need to know.