Cat Behavior Problems: Knowledge To Come In Handy For The Care Of Your Cat
Cats can purr proudly and be contented as the most well known pet in the country whether you've heard it or not. Cats have surpassed dogs as favorites as many people liked their special personalities and their ability to care for themselves. However, many cat owners and non cat owners are worried about cat behavior problems.
Today's cats are descendants of wild, predatory cats. Therefore, care should be taken to prevent them from scratching and biting. If you take the time to learn about their instincts and behaviors, you will be aware of their strength and excitability and avoid any unpleasant incidents.
Many cat behavior problems are only problems to the owners but just doing what comes naturally to the cat. When kittens play, you will see aggression, biting, clawing and wrestling that prepares them for hunting and killing food. Since few of our domestic cats have to forage for food, this behavior is undesirable when the cat is grown and needs to be controlled.
Kittens can easily be taught to pull in claws and be more gentle with play fighting with humans. Starting young helps and in addition, alternative ways to express this instinct and energy should tried. Catnip filled toys and fake mice encourage the "attack and kill" with harm to no living creature, and exercise the cat as well. Flyer toys that have feathers substitute nicely for going after real birds.
Spraying is a natural cat behavior, but one that can be exceedingly annoying to cat owners. A cat sprays urine and the excretions of the scent glands in order to show his dominance over his territory. Unfortunately, the borders he sets will most likely be your walls and furniture. Spraying problems can be alleviated with special sprays, behavior training, or by neutering the kitty.
Cats that urinate outside the litter box may not be spraying in the usual sense. This cat behavior might be caused by health problems. While cats may wet rugs or bedding because they are experience stress or are upset, this behavior could indicate they have some type of urinary tract issue, possibly diabetes, or some other medical problem. It may just mean the cat feels the litter box is simply not clean enough for its finicky self, so look carefully at that possibility. If, however, a cat begins to have "accidents," get them checked by a vet as soon as possible.
Cats are the most popular pets in the country. However, most cat lovers fail to understand that they are descendants of wild predatory cats and hence share the same instincts. Hence, the so-called cat behavior problems are nothing but their natural behavior. The owner needs to train their cats to control these instincts to enjoy their company. Simple solutions like the use of stuffed toys to tire out the kitten would help reduce the instances of cat scratch. Another problem is urination. Though the cat may spray to mark its territory, it could also indicate stress, or other health problems.
Published December 17th, 2007
Filed in Family, Recreation