5 Common Behavioral Problems in Cats - Information & Tips
Cats are known for exhibiting sometimes (hilariously) strange behaviors due to their fickle moods. While it may be hard for us humans to understand, it’s completely normal for cats in their quick and agile movements. However, when undesirable behavior becomes a habit, the scratching post is no longer used and the sofa has to serve as a nail trimmer, you might be wondering what you can do about such behavioral issues. We present to you the five most common behavioral problems in cats and explain how you can train your cat.
Inappropriate Elimination and Marking
Kittens and young cats learn from their mother how to use a →litter box, and usually, only a little training is required. If your cat suddenly starts to eliminate outside the litter box, it’s not just extra work for you, but also unpleasant for your furry friend.
Causes of Inappropriate Elimination in Cats
- Diseases such as →urinary tract infections (FLUDT) or parasites
- Litter box that is too small or too high of a barrier
- Too few litter boxes
- Stress
To find out the cause, you should first take your furry friend to the vet to rule out serious illnesses. Cats often suffer from urinary infections, which are frequently triggered by stress and can recur. Problems with the litter box itself can also lead to your cat not wanting to use it. Ideally, your cat should have two litter boxes available - with each additional cat, another litter box should be provided.
[TRANSLATION ERROR] Unsauberkeit bei Katzen hat verschiedene Ursachen. Neben häufigen Harnwegserkrankungen kann auch die Beschaffenheit und Füllung der Katzentoilette ein Grund sein.
What You Can Do If Your Cat Is Inappropriate
If the vet has given the all-clear, you should primarily check whether your cat is stressed and how the condition of the litter boxes is. Pay attention to good access to the litter boxes and try to create a relaxed atmosphere. Moving, new two- and four-legged friends in the household, even new furniture can stress cats as creatures of habit.
For the litter box, you can try a change of cat litter and also consider removing the hood - different cats have different preferences. With our →ecological Pets Deli natural litter, you are definitely on the safe and soft side: Reliable clumping, odor-neutral, and gentle on the paws.
Neu definiert: Unsere Katzenstreu ist 'ne saubere Sache!
Aggression Towards Humans and Other Cats
Most cat parents are familiar with the scenario where the purring furball lying on its back suddenly changes its mind and shows its sharp teeth and claws. In a flash, you have a paw on your arm. When such behavior becomes excessive and your cat is aggressive towards both humans and other animals, a harmonious coexistence is out of the question.
Causes of Aggression in Cats
- Pain
- Illnesses
- Habituation
- Biting out of →affection ("love bites")
- Triggers such as noises or other cats in the household
What You Can Do If Your Cat Is Aggressive
First and foremost, you should seek veterinary advice if your usually cuddly cat suddenly becomes aggressive. Sometimes, an illness can cause pain, and your cat shows this through very impulsive behavior and does not want to be touched. If something is found, it is very likely the reason for its new behavior.
If everything is physically fine, you can observe when your cat shows aggression. In the wild, →cats scratch and bite when they play. If it shows this behavior often during play, you can interrupt it when it gets too intense and signal to it that such behavior leads to the end of the play. In cases of aggression towards other animals, it may happen that your cat is simply not a fan of a new four-legged friend, there are too few litter boxes or food, or the apartment is too small for multiple cats. Here, you should be cautious when it comes to →acclimating cats to each other. If your cat continues to be aggressive, cat trainers can help.
[TRANSLATION ERROR] Dass Katzen beißen und kratzen, liegt in ihrem natürlichen Verhalten begründet. Aggressives Verhalten kann jedoch durch falsche Erziehung oder gesundheitliche Probleme entstehen.
Scratching Furniture, Floors, and Objects
If your cat is getting at your fancy sofa or suddenly takes a liking to items that are important to you, it’s understandably frustrating. However, →trimming and sharpening claws is natural for cats, and they use it, among other things, to mark the boundaries of their territory. For cats, it makes no difference whether it’s furniture, walls, or scratching posts - they do not destroy maliciously.
Causes of Scratching Furniture and Floors
- Lack of scratching post
- Rejection of the scratching post
- Boredom and lack of exercise
- Inconsistency in training
[TRANSLATION ERROR] Dein Sofa als mobiler Kratzbaum? Manche Katzen lehnen gebrauchte Kratzbäume wegen des Geruchs ab. Kratzbäume in verschiedenen Räumen können deine Katze zum Kratzen animieren.
What You Can Do If Your Cat Scratches Furniture
If you don’t want your cat to scratch furniture and instead use the designated scratching post, consistency from day one is necessary. Cats naturally trim their claws where it fits. If you show her that she should use her scratching post, she can definitely learn that. Lead your cat to the scratching post when she goes for your furniture, guide her paw over the material on the scratching post, and reward your furry friend. This way, you reinforce the behavior you want: the use of the scratching post.
Choose a healthy snack for training that is free from sugar, grains, and artificial additives. Our Pets Deli snacks are not only irresistibly delicious and very popular with cats, but they are also guaranteed to be free of frills!
Leckere Katzen-Snacks fürs Training oder zwischendurch
Excessive Grooming Behavior
It is undisputed that cats have a unique cleaning system. However, when this routine is performed excessively, it is referred to as excessive grooming behavior. Is your cat grooming itself, even though it is clean, multiple times a day?
Causes of Why Your Cat Is Grooming Excessively
- Skin diseases
- Allergies
- Parasites such as →mites, →fleas, or ticks
- Stress
What You Can Do If Your Cat Is Grooming Too Much
First of all: Cats groom frequently and intensively, which is normal. If there are bald spots, your cat is scratching, or appears unwell, you can seek veterinary advice. Most of the time, allergies or parasites are behind it, for which there are suitable means that work quickly. Prophylactically, a →effective remedy against parasites is recommended to reduce the risk of infestation.
[TRANSLATION ERROR] Katzen sind sehr gründliche Tiere, somit gehört mehrmaliges Putzen am Tag dazu. Bei zu häufigem Putzen oder Kratzen können Parasiten, Allergien, Krankheiten oder Stress die Ursache sein.
If your cat is under stress, it begins to groom itself much more intensely than necessary. Cats can become stressed very quickly when living conditions change, and some four-legged friends drive themselves crazy when a piece of furniture changes its place. Try to change things like moves, new roommates, and apartment arrangements only slowly and give your cat security.
Loud and Impulsive Behavior
"Meow" - this cat lament. While your cat sings you a serenade night after night and even the neighbors are tired of the cat music, you wonder where it comes from and how you can train it out of your cat.
Causes of Why Your Cat Is Constantly Meowing
- Pain or illnesses
- →Heat
- Boredom
What You Can Do If Your Cat Is Loud
If you want your →cat to stop meowing constantly, it is advisable to rule out diseases first. Perhaps your cat has a →tooth or gum issue or is experiencing stomach pain.
Many unspayed cats also tend to be in heat constantly, which means: readiness to mate 24/7. Here, a →spay/neuter is advisable if you do not plan for your cat to have kittens someday.
It is also possible that your cat is bored. Do you play with her regularly, does she have a four-legged friend by her side, or does she live in the apartment as a single cat? Your cat may be longing for more attention, even though we often think that our furry friends are very independent and can manage well on their own.
[TRANSLATION ERROR] Der Katzenkammer nimmt kein Ende? Manchmal hilft der geschulte Blick von Katzentrainer*innen, die gezielt da helfen, wo du bei der Erziehung Probleme hast.
Addressing Behavioral Problems in Cats: With Love, Patience, and Understanding
Your cat does not behave a certain way to annoy you. On the contrary: Many four- and two-legged beings are true teams, and it is normal to have to invest time and effort here and there.
In any case, you should avoid violence and those training methods that instill fear in your cat. Training based on fear is never sustainable - at least not if you want your cat to be a confident furry friend that feels comfortable in its home.
Instead, use the principle of reinforcement by rewarding behaviors that you desire. If things don’t go as you would like, be patient. Learning processes take some time, and →consistent training forms a basis for success.
