Adopting a cat can be a wonderful journey. Having said that, like any new pet, your feline friend may enter your life with a few bad habits. As well, they may demonstrate some new undesirable behaviors even after they’ve been part of the family for years.
No need to worry. These common cat issues can be easily handled. All you need is a bit of understanding of your cat’s behavioral quirks and some determination to address them. Read on for some common cat behavior issues and ways to resolve them.
- Not using the litter box
Cleaning your cat’s litter box is not a fun job and even less so when they keep missing and going on the floor. If your cat is exhibiting this behavior, they might be trying to send you a message about something. For instance, maybe they have higher standards than you do about how often the litter needs to be scooped or changed. Perhaps your kitty objects to the type of litter you’re using, the size or placement of the box, or sharing this space with another feline. Not only might they feel crowded, but one of your cats may be more fastidious about the state they leave the litter box in than their friend.
There are a few things you can do here. Remember, the box should be scooped out at least daily. Make sure the container is large enough for your cat and that it’s located where they can access it easily and have enough privacy. If you have more than one kitty, purchase a box for each of them. You can try using different kinds of litter too. For instance, maybe unscented would be more appealing to a fussy feline.
- Scratching furniture
It can be quite frustrating to see the damage a set of cat claws can do to a sofa or dining room chair. If your pet is into scratching things they’re not supposed to, anything can be fair game. They also might select a favorite spot to ruin, such as the stair carpet. This destruction can be costly to repair.
Let’s unpack why your fluffy friend might be doing this. To start with, scratching is a common cat behavior, and most cats will engage in it at some point. The most obvious reason is that they don’t already have a scratching post, so it’s important to buy one or more for their use and place them in convenient areas.
By scratching what they shouldn’t, your pet may be communicating that something is stressing them in the environment. Cats are very territorial and aware of their surroundings. They tend to investigate anything new that enters their domain, including changes in the living room layout. They prefer the familiar and may express their disapproval when confronted with a new chair you’ve acquired or if you decide to part with a cherished piece of furniture they’ve damaged.
That said, they may just like the feel of the fabric on your belongings. Beyond catching them in the act and redirecting them to their scratching post, there is not a lot more you can do. Take measures to protect your possessions and talk to your veterinarian for any suggestions.
- Eating houseplants
Witnessing your cat chewing on the houseplants can be quite concerning. As a responsible pet parent, you don’t want your feline to come to any harm. Your cat could have a predisposition to snacking on plant matter since it’s something that their cousins who live in the wild often do. If your pet is allowed in the garden, you might see them snacking on grass too. Animals do this because plant matter can act as a digestive aid.
First, check out your indoor plants to ensure that none of them are toxic for felines. Several potentially hazardous plant varieties, such as tulips, daffodils, and lilies, are commonly found in gardens but are frequently brought indoors in pots or floral arrangements. Furthermore, there are several cat-friendly plants that pose no harm to your feline companions. These include spider plants, garden greenery like silver vine and valerian, as well as a variety of herbs.
To curb your cat from chomping on your houseplants, the main solution is to place the plants out of reach. As an alternative, you might consider introducing your pet to a cat nip plant.
In summary
When it comes to feline misbehavior, we’ve only scratched the surface here, as it were. Nevertheless, if you can correct your pet’s tendency to destroy the furniture, eat your houseplants, and miss the litter box, you’ll be well on your way to having less stress for both you and your cat companion.