Behavioral Problems Are Often Environmental Problems
If our cats are exhibiting a behavioral problem, it is most often not because they are a problem but because they have a problem and it is our responsibility, and opportunity, to figure it out. Cats aren’t normally bad, but they can be stressed and act badly.
So many cats end up in shelters, and subsequently many are killed simply because they weren’t understood. We can’t tolerate having our furniture and walls dismantled from scratching or our carpets ruined from going outside the litter box regularly, so it’s off to the shelter with the offending,
incorrigible creature. But this is so tragic and so unnecessary.
Domestic cats are not by nature malicious or offensive. They wouldn’t have survived thousands of years as our companions if they were. If a cat is
behaving badly regularly he is having the problem. He is stressed and the causes of his stress need to be understood and eliminated. This is not always easy to do, but it can, and needs, to be done.
Medical Issues Can Create Behavioral Issues
Sometimes the stress is medical in nature and he needs to be seen by a vet. Cats can’t talk to us so they have what really is a wonderful method of getting our attention. They do something we don’t like, and it would seem, hope we’ll figure it out. If you think about this it makes perfect sense. If they don’t do something we don’t like they won’t get our attention, or at least not the kind of concerned attention they need. They need us to pay attention and to try to understand that there is a problem, and then, what the problem is.
If you suspect a medical cause the only course is a trip to the vet, ASAP. Most of the time though the problem is not medical but environmental and here is where we can do a great deal to ensure our cats are happy and healthy. So what do cats need in their environment?
Multiple Cat Households
If there is more than one cat in the home and one is dominant, the less dominant will feel threatened – all the time, not just when the boss is around. Imagine how you’d feel if at any moment you could be insulted, bullied, threatened, or even harmed. Think you’d be a happy camper?
The dominant cat may also feel stress. Unless it’s mating season most animals avoid fighting. It hurts. It is stressful and can lead to spraying and marking, especially if at least one is not neutered. If this is your situation you will need to address it and there are a number of options to consider, some beyond the scope of this post. Here, though, is advice from www.catbehaviorassociates.com:
“The key to keeping peace in a multi-cat household is to make sure there are enough resources and space for everyone. That doesn’t mean you have to move out of your current home and into a mansion, but it does mean that there might need to be some tweaking done to the environmental set-up. If each cat feels they have choices in terms of where to eat, sleep, eliminate and play, life will be much happier. If they must all adhere to only one option, then that increases the chances of territorial disputes and also increases the stress level”
Litter Box Issues
On the one hand, dealing with the litterbox and it’s potential issues is pretty simple. On the other hand it is critical that it be worked with properly.
It needs to be large enough to comfortably accommodate your cat and if you have more than one cat you likely will need more than one litterbox.
The litterbox needs to be somewhere out of the way but easily accessed, not near loud or often used appliances, not in a traffic zone or where there are any uncomfortable environmental issues. It’s really just what we want. Appropriate, comfortable facilities privately placed, and well maintained.
Cat Spaces
Cats are all different one from another, we all know that, but they all have a craving for spaces. Some like elevated spaces from which to survey their world, some like low spaces, all like enclosed spaces. Many enjoy all those and each cat, if there are multiple, should have access to his own safe, easy exit and comfortable high, low and enclosed space, particularly if there is any competition among them. Many homes have such spaces built-in: Closets, drawers, cabinets, nooks, the laundry hamper, under things, on top of shelves, etc. If your house doesn’t have these there are many devices for purchase which provide such spaces. Here is a post on this topic.
Cat Play
Cats need to play and perform predatory behavior. Most cats need little or no stimulus for this but it helps to have the sorts of toys and environments around that easily elicit this behavior. Of course it needn’t be as elaborate as this above, even simple toys are useful. Play isn’t just play to a cat. It is staying in form, honing innate abilities, exercising instinctive drives and exercise. And if you want to improve your relationship with your cat and make him a happier being, play with him.
With a reputation for being aloof it is easy to think cats don’t need much or any interaction with us but this is very not so. They need to feel a part of their environment, meaning a part of your environment and interacting with your cat is very good for you and her. Some will want more, others less interaction but all need some. Petting, playing, as mentioned and speaking to your cat are all positive ways of interacting. The more you speak to your cat the more she will speak to you. Cats have an intense inner life.
No matter how placid seeming the environment, stuff is going on in them and they may well want to say something about it and have you recognize that they are vitally linked to what goes on around them. Talk to them. (We mostly all do.) They may not know the words but they’ll get the intent and appreciate the recognition and interaction as well as being recognized and valued.