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Cats have now surpassed dogs as the most popular pet. People are attracted to them because they are so mysterious, cuddly and fun. However, because they retain many of their wild behaviors and instincts, they can occasionally be challenging pets with cat behavior problems that you will need to understand.

Although domesticated for a few thousand years, one could say that feline behavior is similar to that of a wild cats including tigers and lions. This occurs because house cats continue to maintain some of their instinctive predatory behaviors, so that what by humans are viewed as cat behavior problems, are actually a cats innate response geared to a lifestyle that they are no longer living.

If you have ever raised a kitten and especially more than one, you note that as soon as they are mobile, their play is rather aggressive. They are learning skills that would help catch prey to survive if they had to feed themselves in the wild. This is the time to channel this normal aggressive behavior into acceptable outlets so that they don't treat your hand or toes as potential meals!

Remember to provide appealing toys for your kitten, especially tools that are tempting to bite and chase. Kittens offend grasp a toy with their front paws and use their back legs to scratch the toy, which puts on an entertaining display for observers as well as gives the kitten vigorous exercise. Toy mice with a furry texture entice kittens to jump and chew them. Nearly grown kittens and adult cats may respond more actively to toys containing catnip; however, not all cats are affected by catnip and some kittens may require a few weeks of exposure to feel the effects.

When the cat is engaging in this play, you need to set limits and teach the cat not to bite, scratch or chew humans, or anything else that is off limits. Never hit a cat, as this will cause more cat behavior problems instead of stopping them. It destroys trust between you and the pet and may make the cat more aggressive and angry. A sharp "No!" followed by removing the cat from the situation or offering something appropriate is the way to go, and always reward obedience with "Good kitty!" and sometimes treats.

Cats naturally control the growth of their claws by scratching trees and other rough surfaces, another instinct behavior. To make sure they don't treat furniture or carpet as an indoor substitute, you need to provide cat scratchers for them to use instead. Catnip or catnip sprays can help lure the cat to use these at first, but many catch on easily. You can make your own from scrap wood and carpet scraps, or even strips of cardboard crammed sideways in a box, or buy them at any pet shop. Some types hang from doorknobs as well.