5 Gross Things Cats Do That Actually Make Sense

Cats. They're cute, cuddly, and we devote our lives to them. But they also do some pretty gross stuff.  For cat owners, these "gross" behaviors don't bother us anymore; or if they do bother us, we're just in deep, deep denial. But there's a reason behind every mysterious and grody thing that our favorite four-legged friends do! 

1. They show us their bums.

It's all fun and games 'til your cat shoves its butt in your face. Isn't that the old saying? But it turns out there's a reason why your cat likes doing an about-face in your, well, face. It's just their way of saying, "Hello! I trust you." Cats communicate mostly through body language, so by showing you their rump, they're letting you know they care. 

2. They leave you little "gifts" (aka dead animals).

Ah, there's nothing like the feeling of waking up to a dead lizard in your slipper. It's squishy. It's gross. It's also a little bit sad for the poor, defenseless lizard. But like all the other weird stuff cats do, there's a completely sane kitty reason behind it! There a are a few theories on why exactly cats bring dead animals home as gifts. Some behaviorists think that cats basically see humans as big, dumb animals who can't hunt or take care of themselves. So they bring us fresh prey to take care of us. Leave it to a cat to be caring and judgmental in one go. 

3. They paw through their toilets.

This one is a given. Even though cats are fastidious groomers and keep themselves (paws included) clean as a whistle, there's no denying that cats walk through their own, er, "leavings" in the litter box, at least once or twice a day.  It's an unavoidable fact of feline life, unless you train your kitty to use the toilet. Why do cats do this? In the wild, cats are small enough to be considered prey animals. They cover their feces and urine to avoid being detected by predators. They retain this natural instinct even as a house cat! 

4. They "go" outside the litter box.

We admit that this can be fairly gross and frustrating when your cat poops outside the litter box. But there could be some underlying health concerns, especially if your cat suddenly starts opting for the floor instead of the litter box. If you're struggling with a cat suddenly starts going to the bathroom outside the litter box, here's what to do! 

 5. Some cats "spray" their urine.

Cats "spray" their urine as a way to mark their territory, and it is most common in young un-neutered males. Beyond just marking their territory, spraying is another way for cats to communicate to other cats - their urine contains information about the cat, and can even let male cats know when a female is in heat. Cats also might be peeing outside the litter box because of a urinary tract infection, and may be associating the litter box with pain. If your cat is spraying or peeing anywhere besides the litter box, take them to the vet for a checkup ASAP.