10 Cat Behavior Problems And Ways To Improve Them

Cats are usually well-mannered animals, especially when they have lived with the same owner for most of their lives. But, they may not always behave in the way their handlers want.
While actions like scratching furniture or rough play with humans are pretty routine for cats, they can be a significant problem to the owner. Most cat parents fail to effectively communicate with their pets that some of their normal behavior is harmful to humans, often prompting the cat to repeat it time and again.
Today, let's explore some common cat behavior problems and proper measures to combat them.
1. Aggression
Aggression is a fairly common behavior in cats, but the triggers that cause the feline to act aggressively can be unpredictable. A research shows that of all the cats that were surrendered to shelters, over 27% exhibit some form of aggression.
As solitary creatures, it's natural for cats to become aggressive when in the presence of unfamiliar humans or other animals. However, what makes a cat's aggression so unpredictable is that the behavior is generally directed towards its owners or other pets which the cat is already familiar with.
Unlike most dogs that love petting, cats don't usually respond well to physical touch, especially if the human acts without the cat's approval. Petting a relatively lesser-known cat can cause the feline to become hostile and even bite or scratch the human.
2. Scratching Furniture
Scratching is a routine activity in cats, as the friction generation from the act can help in claw maintenance. The repeated process of cat scratching doesn't just keep their claws sharp, it also stretches their muscles.
However, not all of the scratching is done by cats to maintain the shape and sharpness of the claws. Some cats will also scratch furniture, carpets, or other valuable household items when they get scared or anxious.
Scratching furniture is a destructive behavior that should never be encouraged. However, simply cutting off the cat's claws is also not an effective solution. Instead, introduce a scratching post where the cat can practice their claw-sharpening without the owner worrying about losing his precious possessions.
3. Excessive Vocalization
Meowing and yowling are natural behaviors in cats, but these vocalizations can be a nuisance to humans and other animals if the cat repeats it excessively. Usually, cats vocalize to communicate with their owners, other animals, or potential mates.
However, in some cases, meowing and yelling are used for more than just communication. Anxiety, hunger, and fear are some of the most frequent triggers for overvocalizing cats. Many pet parents may even be tempted to punish their cats for making repetitive noises; however, punishment never works with them. Instead, punishing the cat by shouting, hitting, or spraying with water will only make the cat distrust or dislike you.
4. Urine Marking
Cats, as solitary creatures, prefer to mark their territory by spraying their urine. This is not just a method to scare off other cats, but to avoid face-to-face confrontation as much as possible.
Besides identifying the presence of a cat, urine marking is also crucial for sharing vital info, like how long has the cat been in the area, and what region the cat considers its territory.
While cats normally perform urine marking on vertical surfaces, it's not uncommon for them to pee on the floor. The urine has a pungent smell, although the volume of urine is significantly lower than a normal urination.
5. Overgrooming
Due to their self-grooming habits, cats are considered one of the cleanest animals in the world. Their ability to groom themselves is so effective that felines don't usually baths unless they are excessively dirty.
Cat experts suggest that these tiny tigers can spend 50% of their time self-cleaning. However, at what point does self-care become an obsession? Overgrooming doesn't just mean that the cat is extra clean; it can even cause the cat to lose fur or develop rashes.
Similarly, overgrooming is also a cat's way, though not very effective, to deal with other issues like infection, allergy, or pain. If the behavior subsides within days, there's nothing to worry about. On the contrary, if the overgrooming routine has not decreased, you may need to seek the help of a professional.
6. Inappropriate Littering
Although cats are not as trainable as dogs, it's pretty easy to teach them to use the litter box for excretion. As cats have the natural tendency to hide their waste materials, simply introducing them to a litter box is sufficient for the cat to start using it.
Most cats will use the litter box without much problem; however, a tiny percentage may refuse to use it. This can be due to a series of factors, ranging from unclean litterbox to undiagnosed health conditions. Cats not using the litter box can be a particularly challenging problem for their owners, as felines tend to defecate in hidden spots, like closets, the back of furniture, and so on. Pet owners are left to deal with the horrifying smell, while searching for the spot where the cat defecated.
7. Nighttime Hyperactivity
In the wild, big cats show crepuscular behavior; they remain dormant during most of the day hours and primarily hunt at dawn or dusk. Domestic cats have inherited this behavior from their wild ancestors. Although they no longer hunt for survival, cats are still regulated by the behavior of remaining active during the night and early hours of the morning.
The cat owner's work life further contributes to this behavior, as cats may have little to do when their humans are not around. Felines get bored when they have no humans close by or access to go outdoors, causing them to sleep during most of the day.
To prevent cats from getting active in the night, try keeping them busy throughout the day with different activities. Even if you are not home to accompany your pet directly, consider purchasing interactive cat toys or a second pet to keep them company.
8. Wandering Away From Home
Unlike dogs, cats tend to become superaggressive when they are caged; locking them inside the house is a similar experience for felines. Cats, especially those who were feral before getting adopted, can't live in a confined space, and they'll constantly look for ways to escape.
Even cats, who were domesticated since birth, can wander away from their homes, due to curiosity and instinct to explore their surroundings. Although limited outdoor time is not particularly bad for cats, getting into unknown territories can increase the risk of injuries and getting lost.
Pet parents should always directly supervise any outdoor time your cat enjoys. Similarly, getting an outdoor patio is also useful for allowing the feline to enjoy an outdoor view without actually getting out.
9. Playing Rough
If you want to identify a cat owner in public, just look at their hands. One thing common with most cat parents is that they will almost always have a few scratches or injuries on their hands; this is nothing from collateral damage from playing with cats.
During a play session with your beloved pet, you might have noticed the cat getting extra rough. Sometimes, the rough playing can cause the cat to scratch or bite the owner, causing injuries. Similarly, cats may also occasionally mistake the owner's hand for a toy, which can cause the feline to get aggressive.
Using timeout as a form of punishment can help mitigate this issue. When the cat starts becoming too rough, simply stop the play altogether. With more sessions, the cat will directly associate playing rough with the end of playtime, making them less aggressive with humans.
10. Begging For Food
Why does it feel like cats are never full? No matter how much they eat, they are always begging for more. The behavior is further boosted when parents give in to the cat's demand.
Begging for food, even though they ate, is pretty natural for cats. Most pet parents going through this crisis often suspect a health issue and are almost always surprised to learn that there's nothing wrong with the feline.
Human foods, with the use of different spices, certainly look appealing, which is why cats go berserk at the sight of food at the table. Pet owners, who've been through this, suggest never giving in to the begging; it will only encourage the cat to repeat it again. Eventually, the cat will learn that begging is not getting him any food, putting an end to this behavior.
How To Improve Cat Behavior Problems?
Cats going through behavioral issues can be an irritating experience for owners. However, with some changes to their lifestyle, the problem can be eliminated, or at least reduced significantly.
Like humans, cats should live on a routine; when the routine fails, that's when cats start to show undesired behavior. Cats with proper training and socialization from a young age rarely show these issues.
Here are some effective ways to deal with cat behavior problems:
1. Mitigate Stress And Anxiety
Stress and anxiety are two common triggers of undesired behavior in cats. When stressed or anxious, felines tend to get involved in undesired behaviors like scratching on surfaces or littering inside the house.
To alleviate their stress and anxiety, finding the root cause of these states is vital. Without identifying the problem, there is no solution. Spend plenty of time with your cat to make them feel safe and secure.
Similarly, leaving them alone for long hours can also trigger anxiety in cats. Make sure your cats are not left alone for more than six hours.
2. Check For Medical Problems
Oftentimes, when a cat is behaving irrationally, the cause is an undiagnosed medical disorder. Conditions like hyperthyroidism, dental disease, or nervous system issues can bring out aggression, anger, or fear in cats.
If you suspect an illness or health condition, make sure to immediately seek a professional's help. Getting a vet consultation will not only alleviate the behavior problems but can also save your cat's life.
3. Provide A Second Pet Or Pet Sitter
When cats are alone, they easily get bored. They often get involved in destructive behavior, and with their owners not in sight, there's no one to keep them in check.
Adopting a second pet is one of the best ways to alleviate cat boredom. While it might take a few days for the cat to become friendly with the second pet. But, once they're bonded, their relationship lasts for life.
On the other hand, if you don't have the time to take care of a second pet, consider hiring a pet sitter. A pet sitter will probably cost you somewhere between $30 to $100 per day; however, the price is worth the service.
4. Use Positive Reinforcements
Positive reinforcement involves rewarding a cat, possibly with treats, for every desired behavior they exhibit. For instance, you can treat your pet whenever it uses the litter box to defecate or the scratching post, rather than scratching on furniture.
Through multiple repetitions, the cat will eventually associate a desired behavior with rewards, encouraging it to behave in the way its human wants. On the contrary, negative reinforcement suggests punishing the cat for behaving inappropriately.
Studies have shown the helpful effects of positive reinforcement far outweigh the effects of a negative punishment. In fact, the cat is likely to grow resentful of their owners whenever they are punished for not acting in the desired manner.
5. Provide Scratching Posts And Toys
One of the most common problems that pet owners face is their cats scratching the furniture and other precious household items. If not managed properly, this behavior can lead to significant property damage.
Scratching is frequently associated with boredom; cats often scratch uncontrollably when they are bored. Their parents leaving for work further amplifies this boredom, as they have few things to do on their own. Providing a scratching post or toys can keep the cat busy for hours, thus, mitigating destructive behavior.
Moreover, scratching posts can help a cat keep its claws sharp or mark their territory by spraying their body smell all over the post. Similarly, interactive toys will keep the cat busy for long enough to make them forget about scratching on furniture.
Recent posts
Cats
How To Take Care Of Your Hamster
Hamsters are regarded as low-maintenance pets - they don't need a lot of living space and are considerably cheaper to own than other luxurious pets. These domesticated rodents are usually housed in a tank or cage and don't need a large house to thriv...
13 Signs of Aging In Cats
Cats, in general, are considered old when they reach the age of 11 years old. However, this is not an exact science, and can differ individually in cats. Once cats become more than a decade older, they will start experiencing behavioral and physiolog...
13 Signs Of A Happy Cat
Cats are independent animals that can give you the impression that they are content on their own. They may not have mastered the art of speaking in a language that humans can grasp but can express their moods with us. You can pick up on this by payin...
How Many Teeth Do Cats Have?
Cat teeth are important for survival and daily life because they help cats hunt, tear meat, and eat easily. Their teeth are viewed not only as functional but also as indicators of their overall health. Grooming is one function these teeth serve, alon...
Cat Grass: Types, And How To Where To Grow
Cats, as obligate carnivores, survive primarily on a diet of meat. However, it's not uncommon for these small felines to occasionally nibble on grasses and plant matter. While some experts argue that cats indulge in this behavior as grass to induce v...
Do Cats Get Cold, How Cold Is Too Cold For Cats?
Cats are fascinating creatures with unique physiological and behavioral traits. While they are reputed for being independent and adaptable, it’s crucial to understand their limitations when dealing with cold weather. Cats are resilient but not ...