Cat Behaviors: Tips For A Happy Cat And A Happy Home
Adopting a stray cat is an option available to those who desire a cat for a pet. This said, stray cats offer a unique and sometimes difficult challenge to those that wish adopt them. Many cat behaviors are often misunderstood, so one must take a great deal of care and understanding if they are to turn a feral cat into a happy house 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.
Male cats mark their territory by spraying urine - neutering will stop this natural, but destructive, behavior. It will also benefit your cat's health, because neutering will turn off his aggressiveness and natural desire to fight with other males.
A cat behaviour that all cats exhibit is the need to hunt. It's particularly strong in stray cats because that's how they survived until adoption. Don't be worried about the small dead animals your cat brings you and don't punish them for doing so. Instead, praise them for doing what they do best and they will be happy.
Hunting and scratching are natural cat behaviors. Taking these behaviors in to consideration will make you and your pet happier. Cats tend to scratch on your furniture and walls, and will hunt any chance they get. Giving them an outlet to scratch will curb this destructive activity on your most prized furniture. Playing with furry little mouse toys or a feather on a stick will curb the hunter in him.
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 Pets
