“That’s so weird!”
“And what are you doing?”
“…”
They expect embarrassment but they will only get pity.
What is the evolutionary advantage?
Preservation of energy. Anti-parasite behavior.
Also, autonomous bodywide scratching
The temperature in your house is too high … because your cat has taken to its liquid form.
Well, cats are basically liquids, so flowing down the stairs is actually the expected behavior.
slinky cat!
I’d say the silliness seen here goes hand-in-hand with curiosity and intelligence, which makes them clever and effective hunters. This type of derpiness also earns them a rent free spot in monkey houses. So, dumb as it may seem, this is actually a very fit behavior.
It’s called “de-escatlation”. Just like de-escalation, but with an awkward hiccup.
i think stairs can just be awkward for cats to navigate too. they are designed for human feet…
Your premise is mistaken. The cat is rubbing its scent glands/scratching its cheek (and shoulder) on the stairs’ edges, to satisfy an itch and mark its property simultaneously. Sliding down the stairs is merely a benign side effect.
