Cat Behavior Problems - Getting Your Feline Friend To Cooperate

There are more cats in American homes these days than there are dogs. People have found that cats make unique little pets, each with their own little personality making them funny, mysterious, cuddly, and always puzzling. A cat owner who understands cat behavior problems will find it easier living with the little wildcat they've brought into their home.

While they have been domesticated for thousands of years, feline behavior is not really all that different than the behavior of a tiger or lion or other cat in the wild. Certain instinctive predator behavior still exists in our scaled down kitties, and many of what we see as cat behavior problems are really just how their brains are hard wired for a life the no longer lead.

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.

You need to teach the cat not to bite, chew or scratch things that are off limits (like humans) while it is playing. Don't ever hit the cat; this will only result in new cat behavior problems. Hitting the cat will destroy the trust between you and the cat, making it angrier and more aggressive. When the cat does something bad, say "No!" sharply and remove the cat from the situation, and reward obedience with a "Good kitty!" and perhaps a 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.

About the Author:
Many cat behavior problems result from things humans dislike but are part of normal feline behavior. Finding substitutes for the play and activities that prepare cats for a life as a predator that they no longer live makes living with them easier.

Article Originally Published On: http://www.articlesnatch.com

Tags: cat behavior problems

, feline behavior

, cat scratchersFamily

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