Grammar’s Cats

Who’s or Whose?

Who’s is a contraction of “who is” or “who has” as in “Who’s coming to your birthday party?” or “Who’s been to the new trampoline park?”

Whose is used to show possession, as in “Whose shoes are by the front door?”

Anyone who’s/whose ever lived with a cat (or watched cat videos) knows: Cats love boxes. But why? For cats, who’s/whose instinct is to hide when they feel scared, an enclosed space feels safe. Spending time in a box can reduce a cat’s stress level.

Another reason a cat might hang out in a box is to stay warm. A cat’s comfort zone is about 20 degrees warmer than a human’s.

So while you may find your home cozy, your kitty may find it chilly. Inside a cardboard box, your cat is nice and toasty.

Has your cat ever dropped a small dead animal like a bird or mouse at your feet? There are a few theories as to why cats give people “gifts.” Cats might bring us their prey to show that they love us. Another theory is that cats are trying to teach us how to hunt, having noticed that we never seem to catch any birds or rodents on our own.

Then again, maybe cats are simply entertained by the way we jump and scream when they drop little critters at our feet. Who’s/Whose to say what cats find funny?

Kneading is another curious cat behavior. Cats knead by pushing in and out with their front paws, alternating between left and right. This behavior is called kneading because it resembles the action of kneading dough. Usually, cats knead something soft, such as a pillow, a blanket, or your lap.

A cat who’s/whose kneading feels content and relaxed. No one is exactly sure why cats do it though. One theory is that they knead to mark their territory. If your cat kneads you, take it as a sign of love. Your cat is telling the world who’s/whose human you are: hers.