We tend to think of cats as rather independent creatures, an image they appear happy to uphold, even when they are very insistent on cuddles due to the cold. But anyone who has more than one feline has possibly seen those strange moments when they gather as if discussing something.
The “Council of Cats” Instagram page is dedicated to sharing pictures from folks who found their furry friends having some sort of adorable group meeting. So get comfortable as you scroll through, upvote your favorites and be sure to share what you think is on their agenda in the comments down below.
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#1 The Council Has Paused Deliberations For A Bubble Break 🫧
© Photo: ProudnotLoud
#2 The Council Is About To Drop The Hottest Mixtape Of The Next 10 Years
© Photo: SemiAnonymousGuy
#3 "Clearly There's Nothing To See Here."
© Photo: theonewhoknocks9690
Every person who has ever shared a home with a feline knows that cats are essentially tiny and furry enigmas wrapped in a velvet coat. They operate on a logic that seems entirely their own yet every strange twitch and vocalization actually serves a specific purpose rooted in their evolutionary history.
When a cat decides to treat your softest blanket like a loaf of bread dough by rhythmically pressing their paws into it they are engaging in a behavior commonly called kneading. This charming habit actually starts in kittenhood because nursing babies use this motion to stimulate milk flow from their mothers. As adults cats continue to make biscuits when they feel safe and content, effectively signaling that they view you as a source of comfort and security. It is a compliment of the highest order even if it occasionally involves a few sharp claws digging into your lap.
#4 Do You Have Time To Speak About Our Lack Of Treats In The Last Five Minutes?
© Photo: Sailing-Security-Guy
#5 What Do You Want From Us Exactly?
© Photo: camichulaa
#6 Lily And The Void Army
© Photo: Sailing-Security-Guy
Beyond their paws their eyes serve as a sophisticated tool for communication. If you catch your cat staring at you from across the room and they slowly close and open their eyes they are giving you what researchers call a slow blink. In the animal kingdom maintaining eye contact is often a sign of a threat or a challenge.
#7 What Bad Advice Is She Whispering In His Ear? 😼
© Photo: ProudnotLoud
#8 The Council Holds A Summit With A Delegation From A Neighboring Jurisdiction
© Photo: DrySolutionMaybe
#9 Council Has Decided It's Cat Nap Time
© Photo: Timontwowheels
By deliberately closing their eyes in your presence your cat is demonstrating that they trust you enough to let their guard down. You can actually communicate back by mirroring this gesture which often helps to build a stronger bond with a shy or nervous feline. It is the feline equivalent of a warm and trusting smile that says they feel completely relaxed in your company.
#10 The Council Has Been Turned Into Bread
© Photo: Zyovraa
#11 I Interrupted The Council’s Daily Bird Watching Session To Take A Photo. I Was Immediately Asked To Leave
© Photo: CatDwightMose
#12 The Dark Council
© Photo: classicxariaa
Then there are those moments of pure chaos known as the zoomies or frenetic random activity periods. One moment your cat is napping peacefully and the next they are sprinting across the back of the sofa and bouncing off the walls like a pinball. This sudden burst of energy is usually just a way for indoor cats to burn off stored physical tension.
#13 What Are These Board Directors Thinking?
© Photo: Ok-Scratch4838
#14 The Council Demanding Dinner As Soon As I Walked In The Door
© Photo: _Moneka_
#15 The Council Is Tired After Sleeping All Day
© Photo: PaleontologistOld230
Since cats are natural hunters that would normally spend their day stalking and pouncing they need an outlet for that athletic drive. If they have been lounging for several hours their internal battery simply overflows and they must run it off as quickly as possible to stay balanced and healthy.
#16 A Council Of Three Plus An Imposter
© Photo: liefieblue
#17 The Council Is Recharging
© Photo: _krikket_
#18 I Had The Audacity To Open A Can Of Tuna
© Photo: SnooGiraffes9169
Physical affection in cats also involves a lot of head rubbing which is scientifically known as bunting. When a cat bumps their forehead against your chin or rubs their cheeks along your legs they are utilizing specialized scent glands to mark you as part of their family.
#19 The Council Has Decided To Stay In The Catio No Matter How Cold It Gets
© Photo: Thenadamgoes
#20 Convening To Evaluate A New Foster Friend
© Photo: ItsSkibidiLitMyGuys
#21 A Very Important (Yet Adorable) Council Meeting 🧺
© Photo: TheBrofurhood
They are essentially putting a fragrant stamp of approval on you to let other animals know that you belong to their social group. This behavior is not just about territory though as it also helps to create a communal scent that makes the cat feel more relaxed in their environment. It is their way of saying that you are a vital part of their world.
#22 The Council Was Displeased I Walk Past As They Slumbered
© Photo: nicktheasian12
#23 I Think I Interrupted A Council Deliberation 🐈
© Photo: ProudnotLoud
#24 Today’s Council Meeting Is On Top Of The Laundry That Needs Folded
© Photo: meowmeowkittymix
While we usually associate purring with a happy cat, the reality is much more complex. Cats do purr when they are being petted or fed but they also purr when they are stressed or even injured. Some experts believe that the low frequency of a purr can actually act as a natural healing mechanism that helps to strengthen bones and repair tissues. It is a natural vibrating therapy system that allows them to comfort themselves and recover from the physical toll of their adventurous lives. This means that a purring cat might be expressing joy or they might be trying to soothe themselves during a difficult moment.
#25 This Council Is Not A Fan Of Daylight Saving Time
© Photo: pbarcher
#26 My Council
© Photo: Specialist-Jello7544
#27 The Gangs All Here
© Photo: toscanius
Perhaps one of the most confusing behaviors is when a cat brings you a gift in the form of a toy or a captured insect. While it might seem a bit unappealing to find a plastic mouse in your bed this is actually a sign of their predatory drive and social instinct. In the wild mother cats bring back prey to teach their young how to eat and hunt.
#28 Very Rare Shot Of All Four
© Photo: StarinFL
#29 Council Of Kittens Are Judging :|
© Photo: Enscrum
#30 Walked Into The Kitchen And Immediately Thought Of This Sub
© Photo: Vast-Savings2589
Finally if your cat insists on knocking a glass off the table they are likely just testing their surroundings or looking for your attention. They use their paws to feel the movement of objects and the loud noise that follows is a guaranteed way to get you to look at them. Every oddity in their personality is just another part of the fascinating legacy of the domestic cat.
#31 The Council Has Voted And No, I'm Not Allowed To Finish Making The Bed
© Photo: ProudnotLoud
#32 The Council Has Spoken: One Churu Is Not Enough
© Photo: Lenawee
#33 Be Very Very Quiet, The Council Is Hunting Rabbit!
© Photo: ProudnotLoud
#34 The Council Plotting And Planning
© Photo: CoconuttPete
#35 Caught The Coven Together
© Photo: averysoftawoo
#36 The Council And Their Unexpected Visitor
© Photo: EarthDragon_88
#37 The Swarm
© Photo: Free-Newt-3730
#38 The Foster Kittens Feel Left Out
© Photo: Good_morning99
#39 The Lazy Council Decided: Sunshine Is Goooood
© Photo: Anda_Panda_Shelter
#40 The Council Would Like To Know Why You Are So Late Getting Home
© Photo: queenofthekumquats
#41 Coucil Is Asleep
© Photo: dietcokedisciple
#42 The Tribunal Of Tail Fluff Convenes
© Photo: Galatic_Kitty
#43 The Council Has Apparently Approved The New Carriers
© Photo: Accomplished-Hour504
#44 The Council Wants A Snack
© Photo: opheliaschnapps
#45 The Council Has Demands
© Photo: Kodama24
#46 Can’t Tell If I’m Invited To This Meeting
© Photo: ayakoka
#47 The Best Of Enemies
© Photo: Rik2428
#48 Theyre Chilling On A Motorcycles 👍
© Photo: UpstairsSuperb9527
#49 The Council Has Decided That I Will Not Be Going To The Gym
© Photo: IraGilliganTax
#50 I Need To Go To The Bathroom 😬
© Photo: merisor
#51 The Council Has Come To An Agreement On How To Share The Cat Tree
© Photo: Thenadamgoes
#52 Neighbourhood Watch - The Morning Shift
© Photo: Illustrious-Buddy941
#53 The Council Arrives After A Long Voyage At Sea
© Photo: littlepie_
#54 Nervous For My Meeting With The Council
© Photo: PoeCollector64
#55 The Council Is Ready For A Game Night
© Photo: Substantial-Ship9986
#56 What The Hell Is This? The Council Has No Consensus Yet
© Photo: Substantial-Ship9986
#57 The Council Has Rejected The No Counter Policy
© Photo: BearClowder
#58 7 Eyes At 2am
© Photo: Budget_Raisin_42
#59 The Council Will Now Decide Your Fate
© Photo: EnvironmentOk2700
#60 Surrounded By Cuddles And Condolences From The Cat Council
© Photo: Correct_Style_9735
#61 The Council Is Synchronized
© Photo: mandekay
#62 The Council Greeted Me This Morning!
© Photo: PossibleIncrease3468
#63 Biscuit Factory Is Open!
© Photo: nicktheasian12
#64 The Council Has Choosen One Bed In The Whole House
© Photo: KaitekiKatherine
#65 I Have Been Called Forth By The Council
© Photo: geniebird
#66 The Council Of Feral Cats Is Enthralled With A Tale Of Greed And Lust
© Photo: IAmHerdingCatz
#67 My Mod Quad Was Directed Here From Bonded Pairs
© Photo: LRSartist
#68 The Council Needs A Bigger Office
© Photo: Environmental-Meet40
#69 What Do You Think They Are Talking About?
© Photo: HikeNSnorkel
#70 The Council Said I Can’t Sit With Them 🥲
© Photo: allison_wunderland35
#71 They Want To Make Me An Offer I Can’t Refuse
© Photo: Rik2428
#72 You've Heard Too Much... The Council Now Has To Make You Disappear
© Photo: Environmental-Meet40
#73 The Council Unanimously Blocked Me From Putting New Bedsheets On
© Photo: cheeseburgercats
#74 The Counsel Has Spoken. The Dog Will Be Sacrificed To The Squirrels
© Photo: Trash_dad_420
#75 Whiskered Wisdom Has Been Dispensed
© Photo: [deleted]
#76 The Council Is Assessing The (Very Exciting) Prospect Of A Birb Invasion
© Photo: [deleted]
#77 The Council Has Decided You’ll Be Sleeping Elsewhere
© Photo: afoolandhermonkey
#78 I Accidentally Interrupted Their Ritual 🧙🏻♀️
© Photo: witchywoman96
#79 The Council Asked Me To Stop By The Office For A Quick Talk, Should I Be Worried?
© Photo: brnnnnn
#80 It Appears I Have Offended The Council
© Photo: Popular-Space6946
#81 The Council Rests
© Photo: SmugglingPlums
#82 Council Has Voted On Who Gets The First Churo
© Photo: Standard_Passion_781
#83 I Interrupted The Council’s Naptime
© Photo: KelzyrTheFirst
#84 The Council Had A Long Day
© Photo: toriaanne
#85 The Council Determined It Was Treat Time. Now
© Photo: ProudnotLoud
#86 Sus
© Photo: michymichy02
#87 “Excuse Me Why Is There A Dog Here??” 😂😂
© Photo: michymichy02
#88 Before You May Pass, You Must Solve Our Riddles Three
© Photo: Hypaesthesia
#89 When The Neighbor Visits
© Photo: toscanius
#90 I Was Told To Post Here My 5 Rescues (6th Is On The Other Sofa). What Do You Think?
© Photo: violet_lorelei
#91 The Council Issues You A Formal Warning About Your Unauthorized Unaccompanied Use Of The Toilet
© Photo: powerfulbirdcards
#92 The Council Petitions For Increased Treat Subsidization. Wwyd?
© Photo: Calochorta
#93 They Started To Sleep In Dishes Drying Rack 🤷♀️ Dishes Are Drying I Guess 😸
© Photo: violet_lorelei
#94 I Got Back From A Trip Yesterday And The Council Hasn't Left My Side Since
© Photo: Kodama24
#95 Ginger Council
© Photo: Psychottorney
#96 Assembly At Mocha Cat Cafe In Tokyo
© Photo: Spiritual-Yoghurt58
#97 The Void Council Has Gathered
© Photo: ForsakenedRealm
#98 Gulp… Not Threatening At All!
© Photo: SnooGiraffes9169
#99 The Council Will Only Tolerate Each Other On Move-In Day
© Photo: Catgod1996
#100 The Council Has Determined That It Is "Their" Pants
© Photo: BearClowder
#101 We’re Tired Of Focusing On The Camera
© Photo: YYCBALLET
#102 The Council Disapproves
© Photo: macrhea69
#103 Being Escorted Out Of The Tuxedo Council (I Was Underdressed)
© Photo: Liar_George
#104 Our Guest Room, My Sister In Law Took This Picture
© Photo: CatDaddyWhisper
#105 Council Of Cats In The Mancave
© Photo: jalenjandro
#106 Full Attendance!! ...now What?
© Photo: Laney20
#107 My Very Own Cooking Judges
© Photo: DeaLuz
#108 The Council Has Followed Me Into The Hallway… Should I Be Nervous?
© Photo: alexundefined
#109 Mama And Her Babies
© Photo: Enbb88
#110 They Deserve The Best. I Love Them... Let's Pray We Find Good Homes For Our Furry Babies
© Photo: [deleted]
#111 The Council Is Shook That I Did Not Adhere To The Dress Code
© Photo: Professional_Song419
#112 The Council Demands I Get The Special Toy Out
© Photo: Dependent-Raccoon308
#113 Council Had A Heart-To-Heart Meeting Today
© Photo: nicktheasian12
#114 I Can’t Even Pee In Peace
© Photo: Valuable_Hunt8468
#115 Should I Be Worried?
© Photo: CatDaddyWhisper
#116 The Council Have Spotted The Treats
© Photo: solemnisland
#117 Look, Is It That Hard To Get Together For A Committee Board Meeting?
© Photo: Alert_Ease_7129