A Not So Purrfect Feline?: 5 Common Cat Behavior Issues and What to Do About It
As pet owners, there’s often nothing we love more than our pets. But when they start to misbehave, they can go from our favorite fur children to our worst nightmares. That’s why it’s important to know how to handle cat behavior issues when they pop up and not when it’s too late to deal with them.
If you have a cat that can’t see to get it together, don’t worry. We’re tackling the 7 most common cat behavior issues and telling you how to fix them fast!
1. They Don’t Use Their Litter Box
The number one complaint that cat owners have about their pets is that they don’t use that litter box like they’re supposed to. There’s nothing as frustrating as having a cat that leaves its droppings all over the house. It’s unsanitary and doesn’t leave your house smelling great either.
The good news is that cats usually have a reason for not using the litter box. Once you figure out the reason, you can fix the problem!
The first thing you should do is talk to your vet. It’s normal for cats to develop bladder stones, have urinary tract issues, and grow crystals in their urine. These are all issues that can lead your cat to stop urinating in its litter box.
Make sure you have enough litter boxes in your home, too. There should be one litter box per cat that you have. You may also have to use a different box to find one that your cats like.
Lastly, you need to change the litter regularly. You need to change litter that clumps daily to make sure that your cat’s litter box stays clean.
2. They Scratch Everything (Except Their Scratching Post)
When our cats start to scratch at everything except their scratching posts, it can start to feel like they’re doing it just to spite us. But cats and kittens don’t do anything just to be spiteful. Scratching things is their way of working off energy, playing, and marking their territory.
They also use scratching to help trim their nails down on their own.
Luckily, it’s not hard to prevent scratching.
Buy a scratching post for each of your cats and use catnip to encourage them to use it.
Keep your cat’s claws trimmed. It’s not as hard as it sounds! Ask your vet for a tutorial.
You could also consider using claw caps. Claw caps are small vinyl caps that you fit over your cat’s claws to prevent them from ruining furniture when they scratch.
3. They’re Becoming Aggressive
If you’ve noticed that your cat has become more aggressive, it could be a sign that there is something wrong. Cats become aggressive for all sorts of reasons. They could be sick, overcrowded, unsocialized, overprotective, or even simply playful.
If your cat has become more aggressive, talk to their vet. They can check them out to see if they’re in any pain that puts them in an aggressive mood.
Unaltered male cats are more prone to attitude problems. If you have an intact male cat in your house, it can change the behaviors of all the other cats in your home. Make sure your cats are spayed and neutered.
Another reason cats become aggressive is that there isn’t enough space for them. Make sure there are enough litter boxes, get them their food and water bowls, and make sure they have enough space to relax.
Your cat could also be anxious. Try CBD for cat anxiety to help calm them down.
4. They’re Awake All Night
Before cats domesticated themselves, they were nocturnal. However, as they spent more time with humans, they’ve developed a habit of sleeping whenever is convenient for them. But if your pet is up too often during the night, it could make it difficult for you to get rest.
If you notice that your cat gets up to too much activity at night, there are a few things you can do.
Again, make sure there are no medical problems that you should deal with. If your cat is active at night, it could be a sign that they’re in pain.
You could also just be dealing with a cat that has a lot of energy! Make sure your cat gets enough enrichment and activity during the day to help them sleep better at night.
Feed your cat their large meal at night time. Cats tend to fall asleep after eating a large meal.
You could also place squirrel or bird feeders outside of your windows to help encourage your cats to stay active during the day.
5. Fleas, Fleas, Fleas
If you’ve noticed that your cat has started to scratch, lick, or shed more frequently, it could be a sign that they have a flea infestation. Fleas are a common parasite that can cause skin issues with all the pets in your home.
It only takes one flea to cause a whole breakout of fleas in your home. But fleas are super easy to take care of once you find the right treatment plan.
Talk to your vet about ways to control fleas. The flea treatments that work on dogs can be fatal to cats, so make sure you only use the right ones.
Curb These Cat Behavior Issues Fast
There you have it, the most common cat behavior issues and how to fix them. Owning cats is a wonderful, rewarding experience. They make the best friends and they’re some of our favorite companions.
But if your furry friend is displaying any of these cat behavior issues, make sure you speak to a vet to ensure that they’re healthy before doing anything else.
For more of the top lifestyle tips and tricks, keep reading!
