Behavioral problems of Cats
Learn more about behavioral problems of cats by exploring our site and become a true expert on the animal kingdom. You'll find content created for the best professionals with pictures, videos and opinions.
66 articles
When a cat comes back from the veterinarian, it is common for them to be a little shaken up by the experience. The stimuli of the car ride, being in a waiting room with other animals and the physical manipulation can be very stressful. In the case of being spayed, their stress can be even more acute....
It is common for cats to become scared at a loud noise, especially if they are not expecting it. For some, this may mean climbing up the curtains or retreating to their safest hiding spot. The hair dryer provides a particularly fearful stimuli since its noise can fill up a room. Some cats will have no problem...
It is common for many of us to assume a cat biting a guardian is a sign of aggression. As with all feline communication, we need to look at the context of the situation to understand what they are trying to say with their actions. The reasons a cat bites our hand or any part of our body will depend...
We may be aware that cats have different vocalizations, but each sound they make can have more than one interpretation. For example, meowing can mean they are petitioning for something they want, but it may equally be a simply expression of affection. With purring, we usually think of it as a sign of...
When we adopt a cat into our home, we will need to expect a certain amount of disruption. Our couch arms will become scratching posts, anything not glued down is at risk of a swipe and we are likely going to find hairs in places we didn't know could get hairs. When they are being litter trained, we can...
Neutering your cat provides many benefits. Not only does it prevent unwanted pregnancies, but the procedure safeguards both male and female cats from certain health issues. Behavioral problems are also avoided, especially those related to reproductive behaviors. While both male and female cats will...
Cats are generally calm animals, but they are also very territorial and do not hesitate to use their claws or teeth when they feel it necessary to defend themselves, protect their property or secure their territory. Even between cats living in the same household, conflicts can occur because of differences...
While recording it can make good social media fodder, having your cat round around the house like crazy is often disruptive. They can knock over items, disturb our sleep or generally cause a stressful atmosphere. More importantly, it can make us worry about the wellbeing of our cat. These sudden attacks...
Cats are not only creatures of routine, they are creatures of place. There are few events which can upset both these factors in a cat's life as much as a trip to the veterinarian. While not all cats will react in the same way, when we take a cat to the veterinarian they may become very worried. Some...
Cats don't tend to have the same gluttonous reputation of dogs. Although it will all depend on the individual animal, they will often be satisfied with their regular diet. They will meow when it is time to be fed and can come running at the sound of a rustling treat packet, but they will also leave food in...
It is common to hear of terms such as ‘hyperattachement’ or ‘pathological dependency’ when we talk about dogs. In the domestic environment, human guardians are the canines reference figure on whom they most rely. Felines have always been seen as being much more independent, but this is not true. They...
There are many ostensibly odd behaviors cats make which have important reasons behind them. We may think a cat biting us is a sign of aggression, but it will depend on the context and how they bite. When a cat is hissing at us, batting at us with their paws and then bites us, we can assume this is problematic....
The reason why we neuter our cats is primarily for the benefit of both the individual cat and the larger feline population. In addition, there are certain benefits to us as cat guardians. Stopping spraying, marking and urinating outside of the litter box is one of the most practically beneficial in terms...
Anyone who has been fortunate enough to have lived with more than one cat will know that no two cats are the same. While there are general traits common to all felines, each one is an individual with their own personal behaviors and characteristics. They vary widely in their food preference, energy levels,...
Cats are multifaceted animals which is part of the reason we love them so much. Their idiosyncratic behavior makes them cute, fascinating and confusing in various measures. However, some behaviors might seem funny to us, but there may be a more serious reason behind them. Others are a means of feline...
When your cat bites and scratches you, do you take it personally? Since our forms of communication with our cats are limited by our difference in species, it can be difficult to know what this behavior means. For many of us, the first thing we think might be they are angry or have a problem with us. At...
All cat guardians will need to calm down their cat from time to time. They can get excited easily thanks to their drive to play, but we can get confused if they turn aggressive towards us. Even if we have a good relationship with our cat, it is not uncommon for them to scratch or bite us, seemingly...
Is your cat endearing and affectionate with you, but becomes either shy or even grumpy when other people are around? It is a myth that cats are completely independent. A healthy cat with their care needs met should form strong bonds with their human family. Some cats, however, have problems being sociable....
A common issue for many cat guardians is the risk of being disturbed while we sleep. Especially if we want to let our cats have free reign of the home, it is fairly common for our feline to wake us when we sleep. Many cats can be active throughout the night and, even if they have good intentions, they...
If you have two or more cats, it is not always easy to get them to share. Even if you share the food evenly, you may find one cat gets greedy and eats the food of another cat in the home. Since cats oftenself-regulate how much they eat, this can become a tricky problem and you don't want to end up with...
It is in a cat's nature to like heights. They love to climb up on furniture, curtains and even climb up walls. While this might be exploratory and fun for a cat, it can be disruptive and destructive for others in the home. Understanding why cats like to climb will help us to prevent them from climbing...
There are many reasons we adopt a cat into our family. Reciprocating affection with a beautiful animal is just one of them. One of our favorite ways to show our love is to pick up the cat and hold them in our arms. It brings us closer literally and metaphorically. Some cats really love being cradled in...
Cats are solitary hunters, which has caused some confusion when it comes to whether or not they are social animals. However, contrary to popular belief, cats are social animals that live with a community they trust and can play with. This is why they make such great companion pets.
However, what do you...
Some people love to see a cat resting on the back of their couch. They look adorable in repose and they are close enough to keep us company. However, a cat's nature can often lead them to causing damage to the furniture with scratching, kneading the fabric of leaving their fur everywhere. While we may...
Cats are very clean animals that easily learn to use the litter box from a young age. That's why a cat pooping on the bed will surprise their companions.
In this AnimalWised article we're going to explain why your cat is pooping on your bed and the main causes and solutions to this behavioural problem....
There are so many factors which influence a cat's personality. Many of these most cutely affect them when they are young. This is the reason we see some kittens be shy and fearful, while others are curious and adventurous. But nothing is written stone. As cats develop and age physically, their experiences...
Is your cat hissing and attacking your dog? Getting a cat and a dog to be friends can be tricky at first, but it isn't impossible. In this AnimalWised article, we're going to explain what you can do to help if your cat hates your dog.
You may have observed your cat hiding, freezing at a certain spot or scrambling around to escape a certain situation. These are all common signs that your cat is feeling scared. So, what can you do as their caregiver to make them calm down and feel safe again?
In this AnimalWised article we're going to...
Having your cat meow at night isn't uncommon, however it can be very troublesome for caregivers that need a good night sleep. There's a number of reasons why your cat won't stop meowing at night. Thankfully, there are also a number of solutions.
In this AnimalWised article we're going to explain the reasons...
Cats can also be very affectionate, but they're known for being very playful. This is usually one of our favourite things about adopting a cat. However, if our cat suddenly stops playing, it's understandable that we begin to worry.
In this AnimalWised article, we're going to explain why your cat won't...
Anyone who has lived with a cat knows how extremely affectionate they can be as companions. They may also know that they can sometimes seem to give mixed signals. One minute you are enjoying a pleasant nuzzle, the next they are biting your hand and kicking you with their back legs. They may even wrap...
Although phrases such as ‘fighting like cats and dogs’ remain in our modern vernacular, cats and dogs can truly live in harmony. However, if we want to share our home with a cat and dog at the same time, certain guidelines need to be followed. Much of this has to do with socialization and the personal...
If you have just adopted a cat, knowing whether they will like you is a concern. A cat rejecting you means you will have difficulty forming a bond. Both the cat's well-being and our own can be seriously affected, making it difficult for them to remain in the home. What can be even more confusing is...
Especially for first-time owners, many cat guardians might find their cat may resist being touched. A healthy bond between human and cat should involve certain physical interaction, but this doesn't mean a cat will want to be pet all the time. To consider them the same as a small dog, which generally prefer...
Have you just adopted a new cat and are having problems with introducing it to your other cat? Introducing two cats in a home can sometimes prove to be difficult, especially in the case of jealousy and terratorialism. Due to the nature of the species, two cats should eventually get along, but when?
For...
Does your cat like to make a mess? There are many ways to do it, but one of the most unpleasant is kicking cat litter out of their litter box. Not only does the litter go everywhere, but so does anything else they may have happened to deposit in there. While this is unhygienic for us, it is usually simply...
If you have tried to change your cat's food, you may have noticed they have quite a select palate. Their diet is essential to maintain their health and well-being. Any changes to it can put their security in jeopardy. This is why cat guardians can often be alarmed when they see changes in the dietary...
Cats maintain a strict grooming routine. It is not abnormal for them to carefully lick every square inch of their body they can reach to eliminate dirt and remove dead hairs. However, it is important to stay alert to any changes which may occur in their grooming routine. Although they may groom a lot, overgrooming...
Like humans, cats have their own individual characters and personalities. However, it is one thing having a strong character and another being prone to aggressive behavior. Aggression in cats is actually is extremely. In fact, according to studies, aggression is the second most common feline behavior problem.
The...
Regular readers of AnimalWised will know how much we love cats and work hard to maintain their well-being. However, when the cat in question is a stray cat or a neighbour cat, their presence isn't always as welcome. It's not that we don't want to share our space with cats, it's that a cat sees their...
Educating our cats is not always the easiest. While they are not the egomaniacal monsters some make them out to be, they do often march to their own drum. While dogs may generally be more trainable than cats, this does not mean it is impossible to teach a cat a thing or two. Cats are social animals who will...
One of the most common problems we face when talking about cats, is their nails. Often when playing or petting them you might find that they claw and/or get so excited that they scratch you. This scratching may be accidental, but sometimes it can be done on purpose. At times these scratches can be so...
Scratching is an innate behavior in cats. It is used to keep their claws in check, but it is more useful in the wild than it is for domestic cats. Domestic cats do not need to hunt or protect themselves as much as their wild counterparts. However, they still need their claws and declawing is not the...
Cats can be scared of their human guardians for various reasons that can be environmental, behavioral or physical. It is very important to distinguish between a cat that is scared all of a sudden and a new cat being scared when they enter the home. It is common for a cat to be scared when they enter any new environment,...
There are several reasons that can lead a cat to sleep in its litter box, such as: a stressful situation, the arrival of a new member to the home or the discomfort of its bed. Therefore, it is our obligation to analyze the situation, find the exact cause that motivates this change in their behavior and,...
A cat biting our ankles is a relatively common occurrence, partly because of their size. When we walk along the room and they are on the floor, our ankles are an easy target for them to attack. They don't usually cause much damage to the ankles themselves, but this behavior can be dangerous as it provides...
Jealousy is not a personality trait reserved only for humans[1]. It is common to see many cats either gradually or suddenly become possessive over their human guardians. While some people may take this as a simple sign of affectionate attachment, a possessive cat can actually be a risk to themselves,...
People who are generally fearful or act cowardly in a given situation are called ‘scaredy-cats’ for a reason. Felines are known to become frightened at the drop of a hat. The cause can be seemingly innocuous stimuli such as dropping something on the ground or moving past them quickly. This isn't because cats...
Some cats are natural hermits. They somehow manage to find spaces in the house you have never even seen before, hiding away for naps or just some personal time. It's even common to spend all day calling their name just to find out they've discovered a cosy spot near the airing cupboard. However, some...
If it were up to some family members, they'd happily trade a brother or sister for more feline friends about the house. At least they don't take all the good cookies and hog the computer. They are affectionate, entertaining and full of personality. However, the more cats you have, the more responsibility...