Normal Cat Behavior

Cats are amazing and interesting creatures. Their behavior has fascinated mankind for thousands of years. As kittens, they are especially amusing and can keep us entertained for hours. Unfortunately, some cat behaviors, such as scratching, biting or scent marking, can be aggravating to their human companions. The following are some suggestions for keeping your relationship with your cat enjoyable for both of you.

Playtime is more than just fun for your dog or cat. Dogs that play frequently with their owners learn to bond better with them and obey commands more readily. Cats who play have lower rates of aggression and obesity. In fact, a lifetime of play is crucial to a cat or dog’s development and well-being.

A puppy or kitten’s mother starts the playful learning process right after birth. Her tussling, tickling and licking activate a young pet’s mind and provide needed exercise and stimulation. A gentle bite or warning noise tells a puppy or kitten to stop when play gets too rough. After a few weeks most of a young animal’s playtime involves wrestling with littermates, sometimes for hours. By competing with each other, young ones learn their place in the litter’s pecking order, and how to inhibit play so that no one gets hurt. Puppies and kittens that are orphaned early or have no littermates suffer from slower brain development, abnormal behavior patterns and are more likely to show aggression or fearfulness.

Puppies and kittens need to learn their place in your home’s pecking order too. Games of fetch or chase help teach these new family members their place in their new social hierarchy. Learning games force pets to pay attention to your commands and to recognize praise. It also helps channel a young animal’s boundless energy into constructive behavior, and decreases chewing and biting on less appropriate objects, such as shoes or hands. Use lots of praise when playing with pets and try to make it enjoyable for both parties.

On the other hand, playing with your pet in the wrong way can foster bad behaviors. Roughhousing, teasing and horseplay can turn a cat into a neighborhood menace that’s prone to bite, or cause a pet to be fearful or aggressive toward children. Letting your kitten bite your hands or fingers, even in play, teaches them it’s OK to bite humans. Think carefully about what messages you send pets with the way you play, and make sure your kids play safely with pets as well.

Also remember that play toys can be dangerous. Pets can choke on or swallow toys just as babies can, requiring emergency surgery in some cases and causing death in others. Kittens love to chase string and ribbon, the most common items we surgically remove from their intestinal tracts. Choose toys carefully and put them away when you are done playing.

Dogs and cats crave routine. Try to set aside a little time each day for playtime with your pet. You’ll enjoy the interaction and the bond between you, as well as stimulating healthy exercise for both the mind and body of your cat or dog.

To prevent problems:

Keep a squirt gun or bottle handy. A squirt of water in the face deters most kittens from doing things they shouldn't do, especially jumping up on counters or playing too aggressively, and it doesn't hurt them.

Spend lots of time playing with your cat so his energy is used up more constructively. Drag a string around the house or tie an object to a string on a pole and wave it around while watching TV. DO NOT play with your cat by wiggling your fingers or toes - this encourages biting. Keep a toy in your pocket and encourage your kitten to play with and focus on the toy, not on your hands or fingers.

Do not hit or strike your cat for being naughty. This will only frighten or anger him and frequently leads to biting and clawing behavior. Punishment is the least effective training method for cats. Never force a cat to stay in your lap if he or she wants to get down. Do not grab at your cat or scare him, or he may learn to bite. Rough and tumble play also encourages aggression, so play gently, using a toy and not your fingers.

You may need to confine your cat to one room when you aren't home, one that has no plants or dangerous objects. Swallowing or choking on small objects is very common in cats and kittens. Beware of things such as rubber bands, pencil erasers, needles and thread, small toys, metal objects such as paper clips, scraps of fabric, earrings etc. Anything smaller than 1" diameter can probably be swallowed and needs to be kept out of a kitten's reach. Don't give your kitten or cat string or yarn to play with! These are among the most common and deadly of intestinal obstructions.

Provide at least one scratching post for your cat to use. Even declawed cats like to stretch and knead their paws. Rubbing catnip on the post will encourage its use, as will keeping it in a handy place where you and the kitten spend a lot of time. Cats usually prefer a larger post that they can climb up and down. Some cats like wood or rope-wrapped posts instead of carpet. The more your kitten likes his post and the more he is encouraged to use it, the less he will scratch at the furniture or rugs. Use your squirt bottle if you see him scratching where he shouldn’t.

To prevent chewing on cords or shoes, use unscented, roll-on antiperspirant on these items once or twice a week. Cats don’t like the drying, bitter taste and will soon shy away. Try putting aluminum foil around your plant pots or lay sheets of it on counter tops or tables, especially when you can’t be home to use your squirt bottle! Cats don't like the shiny, noisy foil and will generally avoid it. Many types of plants are poisonous to your pet, so it's best to keep them all out of reach. Double sided sticky tape works well to discourage a cat from clawing on couches and chairs - cats don’t like the sticky feel on their feet. Just peel the tape off when it’s no longer needed.

Be especially vigilant in the laundry and kitchen areas. Laundry soap and bleach are toxic when licked off cat’s paws when they've walked through it. Many cats die each year after exploring the washing machine, taking a nap in the dryer, or jumping on or in a hot stove or oven. Cats are also good at learning how to open cabinet doors!

A collar and ID tag are a good idea, especially if your cat tries to escape outdoors. Use break-away collars to prevent choking. Microchips are also available now to safely and permanently identify your cat if he or she becomes lost.

To prevent litter pan avoidance be sure the pan is easily accessible and in a quiet place where your cat will feel comfortable. If your house is large it is best to have more than one box. We also recommend multiple litter pans with more than one cat in the household. Scoop the boxes daily and empty them completely once a week - many cats won't use a dirty litter pan. Avoid heavily scented litters - cats don't like perfume.

Never physically punish a cat for going outside the litter box - they quickly learn to sneak and hide their accidents. Many times litter box avoidance is caused by a physical problem such as intestinal parasites, colitis or bladder infection. Any time a cat stops using its pan he or she should have a physical examination by a doctor.

If at any time you are having problems with the behavior of your cat, call your vet or a behavioral specialist right away. Most behavior problems are easily treated if caught in time.