Behaviour Knowledge Hub

Observe carefully. Interpret cautiously.

Short, practical guides for getting clearer evidence from a video and understanding what a CatMind result can — and cannot — tell you about your cat.

Observation before explanationSeparate what was visible or audible from what it might mean.
Context changes meaningLook at what happened before, during and after the recorded moment.
Health belongs with a vetBehavioural clues may support a conversation, but CatMind does not diagnose.

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The CatMind library

Every published page below is complete, source-checked and written to be useful on its own. Unfinished drafts are not listed or indexed.

Recording & input

How to record a useful cat video

Compare good, moderate and poor examples, then use a practical checklist for framing, light, sound and safety.

Practical guide · Includes three video examples
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Reading results

Understanding confidence

Learn why a confidence label describes support from available evidence — not certainty about intent, emotion or health.

8 minute read · Reviewed 30 July 2026
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Context & limits

Why one video is not the whole answer

See how baseline behaviour, timing, environment and repeated observations turn one moment into more useful context.

9 minute read · Reviewed 30 July 2026
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Cat minds & relationships

What is your cat thinking — and can we really know?

Explore what cats notice about us, why humans over-translate signals and how context turns guessing into careful understanding.

5 minute read · Reviewed 30 July 2026
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Cat minds & relationships

Owner, parent, roommate — or staff?

Look beyond the joke to attachment, caregiving, communication and the unusual role a familiar person plays in a cat’s world.

5 minute read · Reviewed 30 July 2026
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Context, culture & history

Why does the cat walk by itself?

Follow Kipling’s famous independent cat into the real history of domestication, feline social flexibility and modern choice.

6 minute read · Reviewed 30 July 2026
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Everyday behaviour

Why do cats purr?

A purr often means comfort — but stress, contact-seeking and pain can also start that small motor.

4 minute read · Published 1 August 2026
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Health & life stages

How long do cats live?

What lifespan statistics can tell us, what they cannot predict and how to support healthy ageing.

5 minute read · Published 1 August 2026
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Everyday behaviour

Are cats nocturnal?

Why dawn, dusk and a highly trainable breakfast human shape the feline activity clock.

4 minute read · Published 1 August 2026
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Everyday behaviour

Why do cats sleep so much?

Explore feline sleep, light dozing and the changes in rest that deserve closer attention.

4 minute read · Published 1 August 2026
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Communication

Why is my cat meowing so much?

Use timing, outcome and context to separate learned requests from stress or health clues.

5 minute read · Published 1 August 2026
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Everyday behaviour

Why do cats knead?

From nursing kittens to adult biscuit-makers: comfort, resting and scent all play a part.

4 minute read · Published 1 August 2026
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Communication

Why does my cat lick me?

Social grooming, intriguing tastes and attention can all end with a sandpaper kiss.

4 minute read · Published 1 August 2026
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Communication

Why does my cat bite me?

Learn how play, fear, pain and touch-related overstimulation differ — and how to respond safely.

5 minute read · Published 1 August 2026
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Everyday behaviour

Why do cats like boxes?

How cardboard provides concealment, comfort, play and a decisive victory over the expensive bed.

3 minute read · Published 1 August 2026
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Health & life stages

Why do cats have hairballs?

How swallowed fur forms hairballs, what grooming can do and when retching needs a veterinarian.

5 minute read · Published 1 August 2026
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Senses & communication

Why do cats have whiskers?

Meet the specialised sensory hairs that map nearby objects and add detail to feline expression.

4 minute read · Published 1 August 2026
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Everyday behaviour

Why do cats eat grass?

Plant-eating can be normal, but toxic species and repeated vomiting make safety more important than theory.

4 minute read · Published 1 August 2026
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Health & wellbeing

Why is my cat hiding?

Hiding can mean sleep, play or safety; a new increase can also be a clue to stress, pain or illness.

5 minute read · Published 1 August 2026
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Health & wellbeing

How can I tell if my cat is sick?

A practical guide to subtle changes, useful observations and signs that should not wait.

6 minute read · Published 1 August 2026
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Health & life stages

How long are cats pregnant?

The usual nine-week timeline, practical preparation and signs that need veterinary help.

5 minute read · Published 1 August 2026
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Health & life stages

When do cats stop growing?

Most cats reach adult size around their first birthday, although large breeds may take longer.

4 minute read · Published 1 August 2026
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Health & life stages

How many kittens can a cat have?

Why four to six is common, how wide the range can be and how vets estimate litter size.

4 minute read · Published 1 August 2026
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Home & enrichment

Are cat towers good for cats?

How safe vertical space adds climbing, resting and observation choices to a home.

4 minute read · Published 1 August 2026
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Home & enrichment

Does my cat need a scratching post?

Why scratching is essential and how stability, material and placement determine success.

4 minute read · Published 1 August 2026
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Feeding & routine

Are automatic cat feeders a good idea?

Measured small meals can help, but a machine still cannot replace daily care and observation.

5 minute read · Published 1 August 2026
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Health & medication

Should I buy Revolution Plus without asking a vet?

Why this prescription parasite medicine needs the right cat, dose and veterinary oversight.

5 minute read · Published 1 August 2026
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Publishing standard

What “source-checked” means here

Claims stay in scope

Articles explain observation and interpretation without presenting CatMind as veterinary care.

Sources are visible

Scientific and professional references appear on the article they support.

Review is ongoing

Material is dated and revised when evidence, product behaviour or safety guidance changes.