Cat Behavior

Cats may seem like people sometimes and they do share some traits in common with humans but cats are not just furry, cute and cuddly, they are predators who hunt and stalk prey and this is one of the strongest natural instincts they are. Even indoor cats that have never been exposed to mice or birds or have never had to hunt for food will exhibit a particular cat behavior such as pouncing on a new toy that resembles an animal or grabbing a toy with a feather and carrying it around the house while shaking it from side to side.

Dog and cat behavior can be similar but also different and it is wise to keep this in mind, just as male cat behavior is not always the same as female cat behavior, nor is it the same as kitten behavior. Cats are active creatures that are curious, athletic and full of energy. Cats enjoy stimulation and like to have fun, especially as kittens.

Cat behavior problems can develop when kittens are young but some problems develop as a result of neglect, or healthcare issues. Many people find that a common house cat behavior problem is scratching furniture. The way to curb this is to buy a scratching post for your cat and place it near or next to the piece of furniture that is constantly being scratched. Before doing that observe the scratching pattern of your cat- does he scratch the furniture that is sitting upright or is he more inclined to scratch at a mat that lays flat on the floor? In other words, does he stretch and scratch upwards or outwards? Use this careful analysis of cat behavior to determine the type of scratching post you should get for your cat.

What do cat behaviors mean? Most cat behavior has a concrete reason for taking place. For example a common cat behavior problem is the clawing of screens. Why this happens is unknown. In some cases the cat may see something outside that interests it and in other cases he simply might like how it feels to tear the screen. Make sure to replace loose, ripped or worn out screens so your indoor kitten or cat does not accidentally get outside and get hurt or disappear for good.

Many people complain about cat behavior in relation to the litter box. If your cat is using your carpets or furniture to relieve himself on then check the litter box to make sure it is clean. Cats like to use a clean pan so make sure to clean the waste out at least once a day and top it up with fresh litter on a regular basis. The cat behavior problem should quickly disappear after that.