Cats Behavior: Why Your Cat Is The Way He Is

If you’ve ever had a cat for a pet, you know that cats behavior can be quite mysterious. It is a common error to try to analyze cats behavior in light of ours. In most cases where there is a lack of cat control, it is due to our assuming things incorrectly with respect to a life form which differs significantly from us.

Although humans are not genuine carnivores or predators, cats are. Cats play, eat and behave much the way they did generations ago. They continue to act as creatures who must hunt. People often view cats behavior in human terms, which can create conflict. For example, you would not expect an elephant to behave like a parakeet. Yet, many pet owners assume their pet will act like a human.

When dealing with discipline issues with your feline friend, physical discipline typically does not work and can cause your cat to react in an aggressive and hostile manner. Alternatively, using a sharp “No” and then removing the cat from the area consistently will be more effective. Most animals will respond better when they are awarded for positive behavior and admonished for bad behavior.

Sometimes cats act a little crazy, but a lot of these behaviors come from their instincts. When they spray urine, they are marking their territory and protecting their breeding group. Of course, people do not appreciate such behaviors. Training can work, but if you are not planning on breeding your cat the best choice is neutering.

Cats also scratch things to sharpen and trim their claws, which was essential to catch prey in the wild. They need to be trained to use appropriate scratching substitutes instead of the furniture or your pants leg. Many scratching boxes, posts and toys are sold, and your cat vet can help you choose the best products for your kitty.

Cats will stalk prey and use them for entertainment like a toy after capture. Toys that are safe to bite or chew can often be treated with catnip. In this way it will help your cat play and get rid of some of their pent up energy. If your cat is an outdoors car, it will eventually bring home a fresh kill as a “gift”. This is a cat’s natural instinct and so it should never be punished as a result. Even indoor cats will treat you with such gifts as a bug or a mouse.

Don’t expect a cat to think the way you think it should. Cats have their own behaviors so to understand them better you should do some reading on their natural instincts before automatically assuming a cat is behaving badly. There will always be present in a cat some amount of wild feline, so it is better to learn to work with their instincts rather than presume they don’t exist in your cat.

Cat owners have a natural tendency to think of their pets as part of the family, which they are. A cat’s behavior cannot be compared to a child’s. Remembering that cats have different instincts than humans will help immensely with cat control, and if you forget this you’re likely to end up “herding cats.” Sometimes cats act a little crazy, but a lot of cats behavior comes from their instincts. Domestic kitties need to be trained how to scratch in more appropriate places than on your furniture. Your cat vet will be able to help you choose appropriate scratching boxes, posts, and toys for your pet.

- Paul Proctor