Cat Behaviors And How To Deal With Them
Adopting a cat or kitten is a good solution if you are looking for a fairly laid-back animal to call your friend. Cats are independent, smart, inexpensive and require very little maintenance, making them some of the best pets to own. Bad cat behaviors may require corrective training, but cats are usually smart enough to figure things out for themselves.
If your feline friend has begun spraying on furniture or walls, clawing the upholstery, or attacking passing ankles and pant legs, you might want to get professional advice. Aggressive cat behaviors can create problems for the humans sharing the home, so corrective retraining may be called for, even if it's only kitty's idea of fun and games.
Cats that have been mistreated, abused, or unsocialized (had extended contact with loving humans), they may be aggressive or dangerous toward people. In spite of the fact that cats are independent, they need a loving environment in order to learn to trust and respond with affection and gentleness. If you own or are considering adopting a cat, the development of trust between you and your pet is the first order of business.
By leaving the cat alone and allowing it to explore at his or her own leisure, the cat will soon realize that you can be trusted. Show lots of love and patience toward your cat. Sometimes this alone can help resolve aggressive cat behaviors. One of the most important things you can give a cat is space. Kittens thrive in open areas where they can run around and play. Adult cats appreciate space, as well, for if they feel cornered, they are likely to lash out.
If your cat seems to be having problems at home, you can consult with a cat vet to try and determine the cause of the problem. Then, once you know what the root of the problem is, you can begin developing a strategy on how to fix that problem. Not every cat is the same. Some are lazy and lethargic. Others are jumpy and full of energy. What works for one cat doesn't always work for another, so it is important to talk to your cat vet to come up with an appropriate plan for your individual pet.
A good thing to remember is that every problem can be fixed in time. You shouldn't give up on your pet or decide you no longer want him or her just because it may be taking some extra time to train or resolve conflict. Dealing with cat behaviors is a normal part of owning a pet and as with humans, each cat has a personality all his own.
Cats make great, low maintenance pets. They can be very smart and usually don't require special training,. However, sometimes they may develop bad cat behaviors that need to be corrected. A cat displaying bad feline behavior may scratch, spray, or attack humans or other cats. Usually, a good cat vet can get to the root of these problems and help resolve them. Some behaviors are just a cat being a cat, and part of responsible pet ownership is just loving your cat just as he is, strange behavior and all.
Published September 18th, 2007
Filed in Recreation