Cat Behavior Problems - Taming The Wildcat Within
Cats have now surpassed dogs as the most popular pet. People are attracted to them because they are so mysterious, cuddly and fun. However, because they retain many of their wild behaviors and instincts, they can occasionally be challenging pets with cat behavior problems that you will need to understand.
Even though cats have been domesticated for ages, their feline behavior has remained much like that of a jungle cat like the lion or the tiger. Even our adorable little pussycats still retain certain predatory instincts, so much of what appears to be cat behavior problems only reflects their genetic brain formation for the life they were originally meant to lead.
If you have raised a kitten, or more than one kitten, you will undoubtedly notice that kittens become aggressive in their play when they are active. Doing this helps them learn skills that would help them catch prey in the wild to survive. With indoor cats, however, you should teach them to channel these aggressive instincts into acceptable forms, so they do not try to bite your fingers or toes!
Be certain you have appropriate toys that can be stalked and bitten and even kicked. Kittens will hold a toy in the front paws and powerfully kick it with their hind legs, which is funny for us to watch and good exercise for them. Life-like “mice” made of fur or leather are great to be pounced upon and even chewed. With older kittens and cats, catnip may make toys more attractive. Remember that a kitten may need to be several weeks old to respond to catnip and some cats never do.
You need to teach the cat not to bite, chew or scratch things that are off limits (like humans) while it is playing. Don’t ever hit the cat; this will only result in new cat behavior problems. Hitting the cat will destroy the trust between you and the cat, making it angrier and more aggressive. When the cat does something bad, say “No!” sharply and remove the cat from the situation, and reward obedience with a “Good kitty!” and perhaps a treat.
Scratching trees and other rough surfaces is the natural way for cats to control the growth of their claws. Their instincts drive them to do this. To avert having your cat scratch your furniture or other indoor valuables, provide a cat scratcher. A cat scratcher can be purchased at a pet store. A cat scratcher can also be made at home. To make a traditional cat scratcher, attach carpet scraps to scrap wood. If you do not have wood, you can use strips of cardboard in a box. If you do not have room for a traditional cat scratcher, you can buy a cat scratcher that hangs from a doorknob. You can entice your cat to use use the cat scratcher by spraying it with catnip spray.
There are more cats in American homes these days than there are dogs. A cat owner who understands cat behavior problems will find it easier living with the little wildcat they’ve brought into their home. To address feline behavior issues, you need to provide cat scratchers to keep cats from using your carpets and furniture for the same purpose. Also, you need to teach the cat not to bite, chew or scratch things that are off limits. When the cat does something bad, say “No!” sharply and remove the cat from the situation, and reward obedience with a “Good kitty!” and perhaps a treat.
- Paul Proctor