Your cat is acting oddly. Maybe the cat was well trained to use the litter box, but now he or she is marking in the bedroom closet. Possibly he or she has started cleaning himself so much that he is missing fur and friends ask you if he has cancer or some other terrible illness.

You can reduce or even eliminate your cats behavior with some simple and gentle behavior modification methods. These techniques when used with compliments and affection will help make your life with your furry friend easier and more relaxed.

Many resources exist to learn about your cat's behavior, from books that teach you how to train your cat, to magazines that help you correct problem activities, to websites that go into cat psychology. Whether your cat acts like any other cat, or has its own special quirks, there's something to help you learn why it happens and how to change it.

One common misbehavior is scratching on furniture and drapes. The suggested response when you see your cat scratch an object that's off limits is to squirt a little water from a water gun and give a sharp, "No!" However, scratching is instinctive and helps keep your cat's claws conditioned as well as being an enjoyable source of exercise.

Cats can be provided with objects in which they can sink their claws like they do with a scratching post. You can either buy a premade post or use your brain to create one. The moment you rub a little catnip into the post, your cat will love it till the herb wears off. The cat will go to the post instead of your sofa as and when it feels the need to scratch as soon as it will get the idea of it.

Cat owners often find themselves bothered when kitty's boisterous activity keeps them up at night. Cats are nocturnal creatures, and are compelled by their instinct to think that the best time for hunting is night time. It's easy for a cat owner to believe that if they get up and play with their cat, tiring them out, that kitty will go to bed. In fact, this method doesn't work. It is only teaching the cat to wake up their owner each night for yet another round of entertainment.

If you try to play with your cat as soon as possible when you get back to home in the evening, it will probably trigger in the cat's routine to begin playtime early. You will then be able to sleep peacefully at night and not be disturbed by the cat.

Some people are under the mistaken belief that a cats behavior cannot be altered as a dog's can. True, you may not get your cat to speak on command or fetch a brewsky from the fridge, but regardless of your own cat's naughty habit, there is a way to change it with a little effort and time invested. A well-behaved feline will make home life more stress-free and enjoyable for you both.

A little cat psychology can go a long ways towards understanding your cats behavior. Peeing inappropriately, compulsive licking, damaging furniture by scratching, and nighttime playfulness are a few behaviors that can cause owners to be unhappy with their pet. Many of these issues can be easily solved with some effort and creativity. Recognizing the behavior and its causes are the first steps towards solving these problems. Simple training with a squirt bottle, getting a cat scratch post, and giving your cat extra playtime can all improve your relationship with your cat.