Cat Behaviors: Why Do Cats Do What They Do?
For some people who want to own a cat, adopting a stray can be a wonderful and morally responsible choice. However, sometimes strays can offer a difficult challenge for someone who is adopting them. Certain cat behaviors can be often misunderstood, so a person adopting a stray needs to be careful to adjust to a new cat's behavior to help turn them into a happy domesticated pet.
It is best if the cat wants to become a part of your family. If the cat shows interest in you, you know you're on the right path. Food is the quickest and easiest way to gain a cat's trust. It takes time and patience and a little work every day, but soon the cat will begin to trust you.
What should you do when your kitty is living with you? The most issue-causing cat behaviors to people are cat scratching, urine spraying and the feline need to hunt. Fortunately there are many solutions to these problem-causing behaviors that will be healthy for your cat and keep you from being constantly frustrated.
A feline's desire to claw can hurt furnishings or walls, therefore it is a wise thought to acquire some sort of scratching post. This can vary from plain cardboard types to bigger styles with carpet. A kitten jungle-gym not only allows your feline to claw but also provides a place in which to climb or sleep.
If you have a male pet cat, it would be crucial for you to have him neutered. Otherwise you will experienced having his urine sprayed all over your place to mark his territory. This will also be good for him because it will discouraged fight with other male of the same specie.
All cats feel the need hunt. This cat behaviour is particularly strong in stray cats as it is the way they have survived up until their adoption. Don't be alarmed if your cat brings the body of a small woodland creature to your doorstep. Praising, instead of reproaching the cat for it's actions, will go a long way in keeping your cat happy.
Avoiding a resolution to such cat behaviors will result in a bad relationship between you and your feline. If you prevent your feline from hunting, this will most assuredly get on your nerves since cats need a way in which to channel their energy. If you love your furnishings at all you must attend to their need to scratch and spray. This is the reason these fundamental cat behaviors are beneficial to learn; particularly when you adopt strays.
Cats can present unusual and sometimes difficult problems to those who adopt them, and cat behaviors are in general often misunderstood. The cat scratching, territorial urine spraying and the hunting instinct tend to cause the most problems. Luckily for us and our feline friends, there are solutions that help keep both kitty and kitty owner happy. Some cat behaviour may make you uncomfortable, such as your cat's desire to hunt. Playing with furry little mouse toys or a feather on a stick will redirect the hunter in him. Giving him an outlet to scratch will curb his destructive activity on your most prized furniture.
Published December 1st, 2007
Filed in Family, Recreation