Why Do Cats Do Such Strange Things?

If you want a faithful friend who idolizes and obeys you, adopt a dog. But if you need more mirth and joy in your life, a cat is definitely the pet to get. As anyone who is owned by one of these hilarious creatures will attest, there is simply no end to the strange things cats do. There is no end to antics that will leave you laughing out loud, nor any shortage of confounding behaviors that make no sense to you, but seemingly make perfect sense to the feline mind.

It's useless, really, to try to comprehend why cats do the strange things they do. Your time is better spent on things that may actually, possibly make sense. Your cat's bizarre behavior is not one of those things. I'm convinced that most of the funny things cats do will never be understood by the human mind. It's quite likely, actually, that cats pretend to be sleeping 24/7 when in truth they are lying there dreaming up a litany of eccentricities that serve no purpose other than to confuse their human.

Such as, why do all cats chase their tails? It's not like this thing suddenly appeared on their backside one day. It's been there all along, yet they wake up one day with an overwhelming urge to attack it. Consequently, round and round they go chasing the elusive tail. You can see the determination on their face - they will catch this thing one day. When they do, determination is replaced with a look that says "What do I do with this thing now?" Whereupon, they usually let their tail go, and begin the chase over again.

Cats are notorious haters of water. Why then, do they have such a fascination with sinks? So many felines choose this unlikely spot to curl up for a nap, that there's a website with thousands upon thousands of pictures of cats in sinks! Showers seem to captivate cats as well. My cat can be comatose on my bed, yet the moment I turn on my shower and step inside, he arrives to sit on the edge of the tub while I scrub. When I'm done, he hops into the shower to lick up the remaining droplets of water. Surely this water can't taste better than the fresh water I pour for him every morning?

Why do cats sleep in such weird places? They wedge into cardboard boxes so small they end up resembling Cirque du Soleil contortionists. The cute cat bed is rejected in favor of the hard, cold floor. The kitchen towel drawer is, apparently, much more comfy than the couch. I've even seen them sleeping outside on a pile of brambles or, more disturbingly, on top of my plants in the garden.

I have a cat who, if I leave my bottom dresser drawer open so much as a crack, will reach in and hook the socks with his claws. One by one he flings them out until the bedroom floor is littered with socks. Why? Only he knows for sure.

My three cats were all born after the advent of the pull-tab lid became the standard for most cat food cans. I've never used a can opener to open a can of cat food - ever. So why do my cats come running expectantly into the kitchen every time I open soup or vegetables with the can opener? And why are things like straws, paper clips, pens and plastic milk jug rings infinitely more amusing to felines than that drawer full of pricey cat toys you bought for them?

Why do cats feel compelled to inspect every single thing you bring into your house, bar none? Be it groceries, clothes, office supplies or toiletries, everything new must be scrutinized by discerning feline noses. Why do cats completely ignore newspapers and magazines until you try to read one, and then they insist on covering them with their big furry selves? Lastly, why do cats shun you until you try to work on the computer or do other things that are not feline friendly, and then they become your new best friend who won't leave your side?

Why do cats do such strange things? I have no idea, and I'll bet you don't either. But I love these funny felines despite their quirky "catcentric" ways (or maybe because of them) and I wouldn't have them be any other way. Tell me, what strange things does your cat do?