Harmony at Home: A Deep Dive into Resolving Common Cat Behavioral Challenges

It’s easy to understand why so many households have pet cats. They’re clean and cuddly, inquisitive and intelligent. But, like any living creature, they have their not-so-well-behaved moments, too. If your cat scratches furniture, snarls at the dog, or insists that her favorite place to potty is right beside the litter box, take heart! If you’ve got cat behavior problems, our team at Curem Veterinary Care has cat behavior solutions.

Keep reading for cat behavior tips to help you and your fluffy feline restore harmony at home.

Litter Box Problems in Cats

When it comes to managing feline behavioral issues, litter box problems in cats are one of the most frustrating for pet parents. The first thing to do is contact your veterinarian. Chronic pain, diabetes, and UTIs can cause cats to urinate outside of their litter boxes. 

Once medical conditions have been ruled out, consider these common reasons why cats avoid “going” in their litter boxes:

• It isn’t cleaned on a regular basis.
• It’s too small or difficult to access.
• You switched types of cat litter.
• The litter is too deep. Most cats like it shallow—just one to two inches.
• It has a cover that makes your cat nervous.
• You don’t have enough litter boxes (you need one more box than you have cats).
• The box is located near a noisy appliance.
• Something else is making your cat feel stressed, such as a new pet, a new baby, a move to a new home, etc.

If any of these potential red flags sound familiar, make the necessary adjustments, and see if it helps. You can also try making her “new” spot less appealing by placing tin foil or double-sided sticky tape on the floor where she’s been peeing (after thoroughly cleaning the spot with an enzymatic cleaner).

Scratching Behavior in Cats

Scratching is just part of being a cat, but when it involves destroying your couch or curtains, it’s not ideal! Discourage inappropriate scratching behavior in cats by providing her with plenty of places where scratching is encouraged. Try these tips for curbing inappropriate scratching behavior in cats:

• Offer a variety of scratching posts with different surfaces, shapes, and heights.
• Use catnip sprays to attract her to the scratching posts.
• Keep your cat’s nails groomed.
• Use plastic caps on your cat’s claws.

Cat Aggression

A veterinary examination is essential when dealing with an aggressive cat. Pain from arthritis, thyroid problems, neurological disorders, and sensory deficits, among other medical issues, can cause increased cat aggression. If no underlying medical condition is diagnosed, work with a professional animal behaviorist. Cat aggression can be complex to pinpoint and treat, and a professional will conduct a thorough analysis of your cat’s aggressive behavior and create a customized treatment plan for you.

Understanding Cat Behavior

Good behavior is often linked to good health. Please contact our team at Curem Veterinary Care if it’s time for your cat’s wellness exam, or if you need help managing feline behavioral issues.