You will commonly hear people saying that it is harder to train cats than it is to train dogs. And there is some truth to the matter. Cats mostly like to be left alone and have a mind of their own. They like to think that they are the boss of us and that is a part of their charm. Unfortunately, not training them at all might lead to behavioral problems that may be harder to deal with for pet parents. Of course, there are also other reasons which may lead to behavioral problems.
Here are some common behavioral problems that arise in cats –
- Avoiding the litter box – if your cat is urinating or pooping everywhere but the litter box it is most likely because your kitty does not like the litter. Most cats detest litter that is scented or have big granules because it feels alien to them. Try looking for unscented ones with smaller granules or ones that have a sandy texture because that feels more natural to them. Your kitty might also be avoiding the box because it is not being cleaned regularly or is kept in a very cramped place.
- Marking or Spraying – cats commonly mark or spray urine because it is a way for them to mark their territory. They do it to keep other cats from coming into their area because they are feeling insecure or to attract a mate. A cat may mark even when there have been changes in their routine or they have been moved to a new place. To stop your cat from marking, get them neutered or spayed. You may use an enzymatic cleaner to clean wherever they have been marked to remove the smell and to stop attracting stray cats. If nothing works, take them to your veterinarian for additional help.
- Scratching – scratching is common in most cats. They scratch to sharpen their claws, to play, to stretch as well as mark their territories. They mostly look for rough or textured surfaces to do this which means your carpets, bags, and furniture will have multiple scratch marks. To stop them from scratching around, put scratching posts around your house to lure your cat to those with catnip or toys.
- Compulsive behaviors – sometimes your cat cannot stop herself from doing something over and over again. This may range from marking or scratching up things or climbing on tabletops and throwing things from there. In such cases, it is mostly recommended that you take your cat to the veterinarian.
- Zoomies at Night – cats love to run around and play but when it happens at night, it could be irritating for the pet owners. Zoomies are generally when cats run uncontrollably fast from one place to another. This could have multiple reasons ranging from hunger to a need for attention or company. Make sure you do not encourage them by waking up. If they get hungry, get them a timed feeder so they can be fed later in the night without you having to wake up. If it is not due to hunger, then play with them before your bedtime so that they tire themselves out and do not have night Zoomies.
Handling behavioral problems in cats can be very challenging but it is not impossible. Reach out to the expert veterinarians at Texas Neuter and Spay Clinic for additional help with your cat’s behavioral problems.
