Crazy Cats

Cats are the most popular pets in America, but some domesticated felines have a hard time adjusting to the great indoors. Yowling, pacing and ripping up the furniture might seem like symptoms of kitty hysteria, but Wild Chronicles reveals that these cats aren’t crazy—they're just misunderstood.
1. Domestic cats have the same instincts as big cats in the wild. What instinctual behaviors can domestic cats not usually practice?
  
  Show Answer
  
  Domestic cats cannot usually act on what Steve, the pet expert, calls "the prey drive"—stalking and hunting.
2. Animal behavior experts say most "crazy cats" are just bored. What do they recommend to pet owners?
  
  Show Answer
  
  Animal behavior experts recommend that cat owners give their pets plenty to do—toys, games, and hidden food. This gives the cats an "outlet for their wild nature."
Images
- National Geographic Kids: Cat and Kitten Pictures
Interactives
- National Geographic Magazine: Cats—Plans for Perfection
Websites
- National Geographic Animals: Domestic Cat

Term	Part of Speech	Definition
domestic animal	Noun	animal that has been tamed for work or to be a pet.
domesticate	Verb	to tame or adapt for human use.
pet	Noun	animal kept as a helper or companion.

Credits

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Producer

Caryl-Sue, National Geographic Society

Page Producer

Tom Kist

Last Updated

Oct. 7, 2015

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