Information About Cats

Cats and their scratching needs:

Scratching and climbing are natural cat behaviors. However, for a household cat, this can be trouble. Scratching posts, used instead of your furniture, are the perfect solution to your cat's scratching and climbing needs. Scratching posts provide your cat with a place to play and meet her scratching desires, and will save your furniture, drapes, and carpeting. You can build your own scratching post or purchase one at a pet store. Make sure that the surface of the scratching post doesn't have any loops so that your cat's claws can't get caught or tangled in them. You can encourage your cat to use the post by placing toys or even catnip on or around it. Be sure to always praise your cat when she uses the scratching post.

A good way to teach your cat to use her post is by using treats. Use a treat to get your cat to come to the post. If she's unwilling, wait until she feels hungry. Keep doing this until she's coming readily to the post. Next, start placing the treat higher so that your cat must make an effort to get the treat. Be sure to keep the training session as enjoyable for your cat as possible and, at the same time, discourage her attempt to use anything else for scratching. With time, your cat will associate the post with good things and her annoying habit of using your house furniture will vanish.

SWITCHING YOUR CAT TO A DAY-TIME ROUTINE

Cats are very active during the night. This is their nature, though it can be a very exasperating habit for us. Cat owners can break their cat's nightly routine by training them to switch their nocturnal behavior into a more appropriate time, either during the late morning or early in the afternoon.

The process of changing your cat from a nocturnal schedule into a day-time one is just as simple as it sounds, though it can take some effort. It just requires that you keep your cat active during the day. Make her play with her toys, have her chase them, entice her to use her scratching post, and so on. Make every effort possible to keep her awake during the day. If you let her sleep during the day or evening, your cat will still have lots of energy to play at night. The main point is to keep your cat active, distracted and awake. Before bedtime, your cat will be dead tired and just ready to go to bed at about the same time you also wish to go to sleep. It is very important that you make this day-time routine as frequent as possible. The more you do it, the faster your cat will make the routine her own. It might take a few weeks before your cat loses her nocturnal behavior, but you should always remain constant and patient. As time passes, your cat will have adapted to the new routine and you will not have her roaming around your bed and constantly waking you up at night.

Controlling your cat's hyperactive behavior:

One of the keys to controlling your cat's hyperactive behavior is to make sure that she has the right toys that can channel her behavior. Always encourage and praise your cat for using her own toys and things.

SPAYING is a procedure in which a female cat's ovaries and uterus are surgically removed. The best time to have this procedure performed is before the age of six months or, if possible, before your female cat has her first heat. Aside from eliminating your cat's chance of getting pregnant, spaying also helps to prevent some undesirable behavior. When female cats are in heat, male cats can smell it and will often be roaming your house in an effort to court your cat. Not only this, but male cats will also feel the need to mark their territory and will consequently be urine-marking your house. Once your female cat is spayed, her behavior will be calmer and less active.

NEUTERING on the other hand, is the surgical process by which a male cat's testes are removed. The sooner your cat undergoes this surgery, the better his chances of avoiding any future behavioral problems. A clear advantage of this procedure is that it will greatly reduce your cat's chances of acquiring prostate cancer and other related health problems. As with spayed female cats, neutered male cats tend to be calmer and less aggressive. Furthermore, it will reduce your cat's spraying habits and will also help to control the cat overpopulation.

Constant meowing outside your bedroom:
Cats are often vocal when they want food, attention, or anything else. While this behavior is not an aggressive one, it can turn out to be quite annoying for you. You can stop this habit by keeping a bottle of water handy on your night table. Every time your cat meows at your bedroom door, quickly open it and spray your cat with water. Repeat this response as many times as needed until your cat has learned to stop this behavior.

Bringing home a new pet:

Cats can be very protective of their territory. Just how well your cat gets along with other pets depends, for the most part, on how well socialized your cat is. If her socialization skills are terrible, then scratch the idea of bringing home a new pet. You must also bear in mind that some cats get along perfectly fine with people, but they may not be so good with other cats or animals. Cats love attention and when they do not have it, they will demand it from you. Do not expect the new pet to fill in for the support you cannot provide to your cat. Before you bring a new pet home, make sure that you can give the proper time, attention, energy, and complete understanding to both pets.

Before the new pet arrives, make sure that both animals have been properly vaccinated to avoid any disease transmission. Praise and give a lot of attention to your cat. Once the new pet arrives, remember to give your cat the same amount of attention as she has always received. This will help to prevent any resentment that you cat may feel toward the new pet. Make every effort possible to ensure that your cat still feels secure at home and that she knows she will not be ignored or left unattended. Some cats, when feeling neglected, will react aggressively or start marking their territory anywhere and everywhere. Others will stop using their litter boxes.

When deciding to add a pet to your household that already has a cat, be sure to consider the type of pet. Bear in mind that birds, hamsters, rodents, and the like are not recommended due to your cat's natural prey instincts.

Cats and rabbits:

While this might sound a little scary, bringing home a rabbit can actually be a good idea. In fact, rabbits often make great companions for cats, though they may establish a somewhat peculiar relationship. Cats and rabbits can get along well, playing together, chasing each other, and even grooming one another. Furthermore, they are not likely to develop any sort of rivalry since they recognize each other as different species, eliminating at the same time your cat's territorial behavior and any feelings of insecurity when another animal comes into what he defines as his territory.

Experts that the best type of rabbit to serve as a companion for your cat is one who is half-grown, mature, and of a medium to large sized breed. A rabbit any smaller may trigger your cat's natural prey instincts. Additionally, your rabbit must be housetrained in order for him to be able to live outside of his cage all the time. Make sure you devote some time to properly house-training your rabbit.

When the new rabbit arrives home, keep it locked in a cage or crate. Let your cat approach the crate, smell the rabbit, and become familiar with it. Your rabbit will also begin to become used to seeing the cat around without trying to jump on him. If your cat seems to get along fine with your rabbit while still caged, keep things as they are for about a week. During this period of time, be sure to occasionally confine your cat to a room so that your rabbit can be let out of the crate and allowed to freely roam the house. Once both animals have had successful encounters behind bars, you can try setting your rabbit free. Be sure to keep an eye on them for a couple of weeks until you feel that both have eliminated all barriers to establishing a great and positive relationship.

Back to Cat Behavior Articles