Cat Behavior Problems Can Relate To Instincts

Cats have won the popularity contest. More people now have cats in their homes as pets than any other pet. Cats are unique animals. They can be funny, mysterious and cuddly. They can also be perplexing. Accepting up front that you have a tiger in the house can go a long way toward understanding cat behavior problems.

Although domesticated for a few thousand years, one could say that feline behavior is similar to that of a wild cats including tigers and lions. This occurs because house cats continue to maintain some of their instinctive predatory behaviors, so that what by humans are viewed as cat behavior problems, are actually a cats innate response geared to a lifestyle that they are no longer living.

If you have ever raised a kitten and especially more than one, you note that as soon as they are mobile, their play is rather aggressive. They are learning skills that would help catch prey to survive if they had to feed themselves in the wild. This is the time to channel this normal aggressive behavior into acceptable outlets so that they don’t treat your hand or toes as potential meals!

Always keep your home well stocked with cat toys. Kittens like to pretend they are hunting their toys, so they will stalk, pounce, and bite their toys, often in that order. It is also cute to watch a kitten grasp a toy with their front paws and kick at it with their back paws. Younger kittens like fake mice made from realistic materials, and older kittens and even cats will enjoy catnip laced toys. Not all younger kittens react to catnip, and occasionally older cats are uninterested as well. Cats that do react to catnip love it though.

While your cat is at play, it’s up to you to set limits for his behavior. Teach him not to bite, scratch, or chew on humans. Help him learn which of his behaviors aren’t acceptable. In so doing, however, never strike your cat. Instead of stopping cat behavior problems, hitting may well cause more. With one slap you can destroy the trust your pet has in you making him angrier and more aggressive. When kitty is misbehaving, tell him “No” sharply and move him away from the problem area. Offer him another, more appropriate activity, or reward good behavior by saying “Good kitty!” or with an occasional 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.

Even though cats have been domesticated for ages, their feline behavior has remained much like that of a lion or a tiger. Cat behavior problems only reflect their genetic brain formation for the life they were originally meant to lead. Kittens begin aggressive play as soon as they can walk. Provide toys for your kitten that are tempting to bite and chase. You need to teach the cat not to bite things that are off limits while it is playing. Cats limit the growth of their claws by scratching trees. You need to provide cat scratchers to keep cats from using your furniture for the same purpose.

- Paul Proctor