Cat Behavioral Problems.

Most cats will behave themselves most of the time. Of course there is always the odd occasion when even the best behaved cat will get up to mischief.

If your cat, who normally doesn't cause problems, suddenly starts misbehaving, you should ask yourself if the reason could be a medical one.

Cats are pretty good at hiding the fact that they are ill.

Sometimes cat behavioral problems are the only clues that something is wrong.

A cat that has a condition that makes passing urine difficult and painful, may stop using her litter box because she relates the box with the pain. It seems as though the cat has suddenly started behaving badly, but the reason for the cat going outside the box is a medical one. This page has more information - Cat Behavior.

Cats that are allowed the freedom to go outside the home have plenty to keep them stimulated. They find opportunities to socialize with other cats, they patrol their territory, and wildlife gives them the chance to practice their hunting skills. Outdoor cats are not likely to become as bored as indoor cats are.

Most cats do behave most of the time.

Many cat lovers keep their felines indoors, and there are many good reasons for doing so. However, as most of us are away from the home during the working day, this means that kitty is left with no company. Kitty is likely to become bored.

Bored cats are not happy cats. Bored cats can become stressed and develop cat behavioral problems.

A cat left alone all day will probably spend a lot of that time catnapping, but not all of the time. When she is awake she needs something to keep her interested.

Can cat behavior training help? You cannot train a cat not to be bored. But training your cat not to do the things that you don't want her to do, such as scratching your furniture, should result in her doing those things less frequently - - even when you are not there.

Help your cat to avoid boredom. Has she got a cat climbing tree? A perch so that she can watch the world from the window? Hanging toys are good. A cat will find plenty of amusement from batting around a hanging toy, have several different toys and swap them around from time to time.

Some cat lovers find that leaving a radio softly playing, tuned to a talk station, helps when they leave their cats. A TV playing a “cat entertainment” tape or DVD can keep some cats amused for an hour or so.

Perhaps cat behavior training can come into play in stopping your cat becoming bored when you are not there. If your cat has been trained to accept healthy cat treats as reward for behaving, then leaving a few treats around your home can keep her occupied as she hunts for them.

What starts out as cute, your cat gently rubbing around your legs until you weaken and give her a little of what she is after, can soon turn into one of those downright annoying cat behavioral problems.

It is a habit that would be wise not to encourage in the first place.

You know that food for humans is not good for cats. But you reason that you are only giving her a small piece and it will do no harm. But she will be back next meal time, and the next.

Apart from the fact that your food does her no good, the begging has become insistent. She meows, she cries, she growls, she jumps up. She gets on your nerves. Also your cat behaving like that is embarrassing when you have guests.

Can anything be done?

If you don't do this already, feed your cat just before you eat. Better yet, play with your cat before you feed her. Play using a chase toy, such as a wand and feather, get your cat just a little fatigued. Then feed her. It is quite likely she will then want to sleep, which leaves you to enjoy your meal in peace.

Alright, it didn't work that time. Your cat is awake and begging. Just say “No.” That's it, just firmly say no. Don't make a fuss, don't get angry, don't give in. Do not reward her by giving her too much attention.

If your cat gets attention from you, that could be as much of a reward for the begging as it would be if she got some of your food. If she jumps up, place her back on the floor. If she keeps jumping up, put her outside the room. Whatever she does, do not give in to her demands for your food.

Will this behavioral training work by next week? No. It is going to take time and patience. But eventually your cat will learn to behave when you are eating and learn that your food is not her food.

Cats love counter tops don't they. Seems like almost every cat will jump up on the kitchen counter unless trained not to do so.

Cats on kitchen counters is not a good idea. It's not a hygienic idea, it's not a safe idea.

Cats are clean animals, but . . . they are animals, so should not be on any surface that food is prepared on.

Kitchen counters are not at all safe for cats. Cats are curious, they are apt to investigate anything, a steaming kettle, a hot stove, a sharp knife . . .

So how do you keep a cat off the counter? Perhaps not the easiest of cat behavioral problems to change if your cat has developed the habit, but training and patience can produce wonderful results.

You can, if possible, make your kitchen off limits for your cat. This of course is only possible if your kitchen has a door, but many kitchens are of open plan design, you can't shut kitty out.

Will your cat protest if you keep her out of your kitchen? You bet she will. After all until now your kitchen has been part of her territory. Be firm, be patient, take her out each time she goes into the kitchen, reward and praise her when she stays out.

If you can not keep her out of your kitchen, she will have to learn not to jump up on the counter.

cat behavioral problems can be rectified with behavior training.

What's the attraction with the counter? The most obvious attraction is . . .food. The counter is where the your food is prepared. Ahh, the smell of it, how tempting for a cat.

Ensuring that no food is left on the counter, and all spills and waste are cleared away, means there is less temptation for your cat.

Do you dish out your cat's food on the kitchen counter? If so, it is likely your feline friend jumps up while you are dishing it out. Take the can to your cat's dish rather than serving out your cat's food into the dish on the counter.

Going up in the world. You know how cats love to sit up high. Okay, a kitchen worktop is not the highest of places, but it is better than floor level. Does your feline have a cat perch or kitty condo that she can look down on the world from?

If your cat has a perch that is higher than your kitchen counter, it is possible that she will make it her favorite spot and leave your worktop alone.

Some folks find that fixing aluminum foil along their counter top discourages their cat. Cats do not like the feel of aluminum foil or the sound that it makes when they walk on it.

Obviously you will not want the foil as a permanent fixture, just have it there long enough that your cat decides the counter is no longer a nice place to jump onto.

Many cats, but by no means all, do not like the smell of citrus fruit. There are cat repellent citrus spays available. Try spraying around your worktop and see if kitty stays away. Alternatively try a dish of orange or lemon peel left out on the counter.

Then there is the old stand by, the water squirt bottle, useful in solving many cat behavioral problems.

You use the water bottle to gently squirt your cat, at the time she jumps on the counter, as a disincentive.

If you are able to be a bit crafty and not let your cat see that it is you that is squirting her, she will not associate the water with you. Your cat will associate the unpleasant experience with the act of jumping on the counter.

Chewing can be a cat behavioral problem and a dangerous one! Find out how you can discourage your cat from chewing - Cat Chewing.

A cat being awake at night and full of energy is one of the cat behavioral problems many sleep deprived folks would love to cure. Cat Awake.

Before starting a training session with your cat turn of the television or radio so that your cat is not distracted. Picking a time when visitors are not likely to call helps too. If possible, make the behavior training session before your cat eats. That way the healthy treats will be all the more appealing.

The ideal way to end cat behavioral problems is to behavior train your cat every day. Don't make the lessons too long, about 15 minutes is good, any longer and your cat is likely to become bored.

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