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Recently, Cat's Protection, the UK's leading feline welfare charity, posted a video on how to interpret a cat's body language that we'd like to share with you.
But what's really interesting to us are the statistics they gathered from a survey on cat behavior that prompted the creation of this video.
So enjoy the video below, but then be sure to scroll down to view some of those statistics - we think some of them may surprise you!
A few surprising stats
In the study that led to the production of this video, Cat's Protection found that fully one-third of people polled thought a cat who rolls onto its back wants its belly rubbed like a dog.
Seasoned cat owners can tell you that's a sure way to earn yourself a seriously scratched hand!
Four in ten people thought a cat with its ears back would benefit from a comforting cuddle. Well, at least they understood that "ears-back" meant frightened! But a cat that's scared needs his space - not a human hug! They also need a place to hide until the fear and stress subside.
Half of cat owners polled did not know that a cat will lick its lips when stressed. One third of them thought it meant the cat was hungry. Not so - often it's the exact opposite. Cats lick they're lips when nauseous, too.
And finally, our favorite (at least in the Darwin Award Cat-egory!).
Drum roll please:
25% of cat owners polled actually thought we kitties intentionally shed our fur to mark territory.
Uhm, no-o-ooo...
But we will admit that stropping your legs when you come home is as much to re-scent you as it is to greet you.
(You have nooo idea how stinky you smell when you get home - all those strange office and shopping scents and all, you know.)
That's enough Kitty Confession for one day. Hope you enjoyed the video!
