Cats perceive ultraviolet light, detect microscopic movements, and see in near-darkness using a biological light amplifier. Their eyes evolved for twilight hunting, not daytime detail.
When cats sleep with you, it signals deep trust. Beyond warmth-seeking (cats run 102°F), they use you for Social Defense, scent bonding, and secure attachment. Here are the 9 biological drivers.
cat behavior
Cats sleep more during rain due to three factors: melatonin surges from low light, barometric pressure drops signaling rest, and evolutionary energy conservation when hunting is inefficient.
A Colorado State University analysis of 11,940 vet cases found a real but clinically tiny full-moon effect: about one extra cat visit per full-moon period. “Moon madness” is mostly perception. Cats are crepuscular; brighter nights can boost activity via circadian cues, not gravity.
cat perception
Cats are indifferent to human music because the frequencies and tempos don't match their biology. A 2015 study proved cats prefer species-specific music designed around purring frequencies and feline vocal ranges - not Taylor Swift.
cat communication
The cat loaf position serves two biological functions: Thermoregulation (conserving body heat by reducing surface area) and Relaxed Readiness (staying comfortable while remaining ready to spring). While usually a sign of contentment, a hunched or tense loaf can indicate abdominal pain.
cat behavior
Cats chew or lick human hair primarily as a form of "Allogrooming" (social bonding), treating you as part of their colony. However, excessive hair eating can be a sign of Pica, a condition linked to nutritional deficiencies or anxiety that requires veterinary attention
Cats love boxes due to thigmotaxis: an instinct to seek enclosed contact for safety. A University of Utrecht study found that giving shelter cats hiding boxes significantly reduced stress, measured by the Cat-Stress-Score (CSS).
Cats form secure attachments to owners. When they choose to engage, oxytocin rises and cortisol drops. Signs include slow blinks, head bunts (scent marking), and social referencing (looking to you for safety cues).