The story behind this form of feline behavior is that we share it. While we scratch our heads or bite our nails when we are unsure about something, cats lick their noses. I guess that if we had the kind of nose cats have, we’d do the same thing. 😎
In fact, we do things with our tongue when we are unsure so there is an overlap with cats there too. It is probably because the tongue is a well-muscled organ which can be readily moved and movement is the key to displacement activity it seems to me as the physical action helps to displace the uncomfortable thoughts.
RELATED: 8 different horse head and neck actions and what they mean.
Tell me more about ‘displacement activities’ in cats and humans
Displacement activities happen when both cats and humans are feeling conflicted or stressed. They end up doing something that seems unrelated to the situation at hand, as a way to manage those feelings. Here’s a breakdown:
Why it happens:
- Conflicting desires: Imagine a cat wanting to play with a toy, but also feeling scared of another animal nearby. It might start grooming itself instead, even though that doesn’t deal with either desire directly.
- Frustration: Maybe your cat really wants to go outside, but you can’t let it. It might resort to excessive scratching on the furniture, even though that won’t get it outdoors.
What they look like:
- Cats:
- Excessive grooming
- Yawning
- Licking
- Eating or drinking out of context
- Scratching furniture (not for sharpening claws)
- Sudden bursts of energy with no clear purpose
- Humans:
- Fidgeting or nail biting
- Doodling or repetitive doodling
- Clearing your throat or coughing unnecessarily
- Checking your phone constantly
- Taking on busywork to avoid a bigger task
- Snacking when not hungry
Important points:
- Displacement activities are normal! They’re a way to cope with stress in the moment.
- If the behavior becomes excessive or interferes with daily life, it could be a sign of a bigger problem. Talk to a vet for your cat or a therapist for yourself.
- Watch for the context: If your cat is always grooming right before a loud noise, it might be a sign they’re stressed by that noise.
By understanding displacement activities, you can better understand your cat (or yourself) when they’re feeling overwhelmed.
Horses
Examples of displacement activities in horses:
- Self-grooming: Excessive licking, chewing, or rubbing against objects can be a sign of stress.
- Pacing: Walking back and forth repetitively indicates anxiety or frustration.
- Pawing the ground: This can be a nervous habit or a way to release pent-up energy.
- Snorting or blowing: While sometimes a way to clear dust, it can also be a stress response.
- Yawning: Similar to humans, horses might yawn when feeling stressed or unsure.
- Changes in eating or drinking: Eating very little or excessively can be a sign of anxiety.
- Sleeping: While normal, excessive sleeping outside of typical rest periods could indicate the horse is trying to avoid a stressful situation.
Dogs
Common displacement activities in dogs:
- Excessive licking: Licking themselves, the air, or objects can be a calming mechanism for a stressed dog.
- Yawning: Similar to humans, dogs might yawn when feeling anxious or uncomfortable.
- Scratching: Scratching themselves excessively, even if not itchy, can be a sign of underlying stress.
- Sniffing: Just like us taking a deep breath to calm down, a dog might sniff the ground excessively to redirect their focus and manage anxiety.
- Shaking: Shaking themselves off, like they just got out of water, can be a way to release tension and refocus in a stressful situation.
- Pacing: Restlessly walking back and forth can be a sign of frustration or anxiety.
- Whining or barking: Vocalization can sometimes be a way for a dog to express their discomfort and try to change the situation.
- Circling: Circling can be a sign of nervousness or appeasement, depending on the context.
Sources for the above written sections come from Google Gemini which researchers the question by scanning the internet.
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