All About Cats All About Cats

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Symptoms of Stress in Cats Symptoms of Stress in Cats

When Cute Cats Become ProblemsWhen Cute Cats Become ProblemsThose loveable, cuddly kittens sometimes grow up to Those loveable, cuddly kittens sometimes grow up to be loveable, cuddly cats with problems. Do you have be loveable, cuddly cats with problems. Do you have

a cat that sometimes forgets there’s a litter box? a cat that sometimes forgets there’s a litter box? Here’s a rundown of the top 10 behavior problems Here’s a rundown of the top 10 behavior problems

that can drive cat owners batty. See what you might that can drive cat owners batty. See what you might be able to do if your cat displays any of these be able to do if your cat displays any of these

behaviors.behaviors.

Avoiding the Litter BoxAvoiding the Litter Box

One out of 10 cats develops a litter box problem. Often, it’s One out of 10 cats develops a litter box problem. Often, it’s because the cat prefers a different kind of litter or doesn’t like because the cat prefers a different kind of litter or doesn’t like the box. Unscented litter in an uncovered box that’s scooped the box. Unscented litter in an uncovered box that’s scooped

out at least once a day seems to work well for most cats. They out at least once a day seems to work well for most cats. They also prefer locations where there’s not a lot of traffic. Try using also prefer locations where there’s not a lot of traffic. Try using more than one box and try different litters. Then watch to see more than one box and try different litters. Then watch to see

which your cat prefers.which your cat prefers.

Urine Marking or SprayingUrine Marking or Spraying Urine marking is how cats communicate when they’re Urine marking is how cats communicate when they’re

seeking a sexual partner or trying to avoid disputes. seeking a sexual partner or trying to avoid disputes. Unless it’s looking for a mate, a cat typically doesn’t Unless it’s looking for a mate, a cat typically doesn’t spray if it feels secure. But if there’s conflict with other spray if it feels secure. But if there’s conflict with other cats, multiple cats in the house, or changes in routine, cats, multiple cats in the house, or changes in routine, there’s more chance it will mark its territory. Having a there’s more chance it will mark its territory. Having a cat neutered or spayed and addressing what’s causing it cat neutered or spayed and addressing what’s causing it stress will help resolve the problem. Also, medications stress will help resolve the problem. Also, medications may decrease the cat’s anxiety threshold to decrease may decrease the cat’s anxiety threshold to decrease the frequency of spraying.the frequency of spraying.

Destructive ScratchingDestructive Scratching All cats like to scratch. They do it to play, stretch, All cats like to scratch. They do it to play, stretch,

sharpen claws, and mark territory. Unfortunately, what sharpen claws, and mark territory. Unfortunately, what your cat likes to scratch includes your furniture, your cat likes to scratch includes your furniture, carpets, and drapes. Protect your home by placing a carpets, and drapes. Protect your home by placing a variety of scratching posts with different qualities and variety of scratching posts with different qualities and surfaces around your house. Be sure they are sturdy surfaces around your house. Be sure they are sturdy so they won’t fall over when used. Then invite your cat so they won’t fall over when used. Then invite your cat to explore them by scenting them with catnip or to explore them by scenting them with catnip or hanging toys on them.hanging toys on them.

Playing RoughPlaying Rough When cats play, mock aggression is always a part of it. When cats play, mock aggression is always a part of it.

They pounce, swat, scratch, and bite. Sometimes it’s They pounce, swat, scratch, and bite. Sometimes it’s hard to tell if it’s a game or real. And, scratches and hard to tell if it’s a game or real. And, scratches and bites given in jest still hurt. To channel your cat’s bites given in jest still hurt. To channel your cat’s energy, use toys like balls or a fake mouse for batting. A energy, use toys like balls or a fake mouse for batting. A paper bag can give him hours of pouncing fun. And to paper bag can give him hours of pouncing fun. And to protect yourself, never encouraging a kitten to play with protect yourself, never encouraging a kitten to play with your hands or feet. Nips become bites as a cat grows your hands or feet. Nips become bites as a cat grows up.up.

Compulsive BehaviorCompulsive Behavior Compulsive behavior is repetitive activity that stems from an Compulsive behavior is repetitive activity that stems from an

irresistible urge. It could be otherwise normal behavior, like irresistible urge. It could be otherwise normal behavior, like eating, or abnormal, like wool-sucking. Frustration or stress eating, or abnormal, like wool-sucking. Frustration or stress causes it, but so do some health issues. If your cat behaves causes it, but so do some health issues. If your cat behaves compulsively, start with a visit to the vet. Then try to identify and compulsively, start with a visit to the vet. Then try to identify and remove any stressors. Enriching your cat’s environment with remove any stressors. Enriching your cat’s environment with structures she can climb and things like fish tanks to watch can structures she can climb and things like fish tanks to watch can help reduce her stress.help reduce her stress.

Hyperactive NightsHyperactive Nights Cats like to have fun and often choose the middle of the night Cats like to have fun and often choose the middle of the night

to have it. If your cat gets revved up or hungry at night, here to have it. If your cat gets revved up or hungry at night, here are some things that might help. Play with her in the evening are some things that might help. Play with her in the evening until she tires. Feed her just before bed. Or, try a timed feeder until she tires. Feed her just before bed. Or, try a timed feeder that will dispense food later so she doesn’t need to wake you. that will dispense food later so she doesn’t need to wake you. And, unless you think she’s hurt, never respond to her antics. And, unless you think she’s hurt, never respond to her antics. If she gets you up once, she’ll only try harder the next time.If she gets you up once, she’ll only try harder the next time.

Excessive MeowingExcessive Meowing Grown cats don’t meow at one another. The meow is primarily Grown cats don’t meow at one another. The meow is primarily

for humans. Cats use it to say hello, ask for food, or get for humans. Cats use it to say hello, ask for food, or get attention. If your cat seems to meow a lot, check with your attention. If your cat seems to meow a lot, check with your vet. It could be a sign of a health problem like an overactive vet. It could be a sign of a health problem like an overactive thyroid. If she meows for food, don’t feed her when she cries. thyroid. If she meows for food, don’t feed her when she cries. If she meows for attention, teach her you’ll only give it when If she meows for attention, teach her you’ll only give it when she’s quiet. But don’t ignore her meows. She could be telling she’s quiet. But don’t ignore her meows. She could be telling you there’s a problem, such as not being able to get to the you there’s a problem, such as not being able to get to the litter box.litter box.

Separation AnxietySeparation Anxiety Cats are actually very social. They can form strong bonds and Cats are actually very social. They can form strong bonds and

become anxious when their owner leaves. Signs of anxiety become anxious when their owner leaves. Signs of anxiety might include vocalizing when left alone, or inappropriately might include vocalizing when left alone, or inappropriately urinating. Ignoring your cat 15 minutes before you leave and urinating. Ignoring your cat 15 minutes before you leave and after you return can help reduce some of the stress. So can after you return can help reduce some of the stress. So can putting out some of her favorite toys and putting them away putting out some of her favorite toys and putting them away when you come back. Your vet may also suggest medication when you come back. Your vet may also suggest medication to treat the anxiety.to treat the anxiety.

Obsessive GroomingObsessive Grooming Cats groom for more than hygiene. Grooming also calms Cats groom for more than hygiene. Grooming also calms

them. But sometimes a cat will over-groom, which can result them. But sometimes a cat will over-groom, which can result in injury from excessive licking, biting, or other grooming in injury from excessive licking, biting, or other grooming techniques. This is usually an indication of excessive stress. techniques. This is usually an indication of excessive stress. Once you find out what’s causing the stress - for example Once you find out what’s causing the stress - for example fear, change in routine, a new animal in the house - you can fear, change in routine, a new animal in the house - you can take steps to make changes that should help reduce the take steps to make changes that should help reduce the problem. Also, an exam by your vet may help check for a problem. Also, an exam by your vet may help check for a primary dermatologic problem versus behavioral.primary dermatologic problem versus behavioral.

AggressionAggression An aggressive cat can inflict severe injuries by biting and using its An aggressive cat can inflict severe injuries by biting and using its

claws. An aggressive cat in the house poses a real danger to claws. An aggressive cat in the house poses a real danger to everyone there. Real aggression as opposed to play aggression everyone there. Real aggression as opposed to play aggression can be identified by a cat’s posture. Any sign of aggression - such can be identified by a cat’s posture. Any sign of aggression - such as a stiff-legged stance and dilated pupils, possibly accompanied as a stiff-legged stance and dilated pupils, possibly accompanied by growling - is a signal not to touch or try to reassure or punish by growling - is a signal not to touch or try to reassure or punish the cat. Sometimes fear makes a cat aggressive; other times, the cat. Sometimes fear makes a cat aggressive; other times, there is no apparent cause for aggression. Because living with an there is no apparent cause for aggression. Because living with an aggressive cat is risky, it’s important to get professional help in aggressive cat is risky, it’s important to get professional help in evaluating and dealing with the cat.evaluating and dealing with the cat.