How to Stop a Cat’s Destructive Behavior
- Spray a commercial cat repellent on the items that are off-limit to your pet companion. …
- Place scratching posts near items that your cat likes to scratch. …
- Show your kitty the scratching posts and praise and reward her with a cat treat when she uses them.
Boredom and Curiosity When a cat is bored or when a cat is simply curious, it will start to chew on whatever is around. Destructive chewing might also be the result of a nutritional deficit.
When cats scratch or lick the wrong things and do not respond to discouragement, they are diagnosed as having a destructive behavior problem. Not all destructive behavior is the same, however. … Conversely, cats that spend too much time licking or scratching at things likely have a secondary destructive behavior.
The use of interactive cat games and toys can be a helpful solution but be sure to also include physical toys in the play sessions. If your cat is frequently scratching at inappropriate items, including furniture, try giving your cat a few items designed specifically for scratching behavior.
Spray Feliway or provide catnip at the base of cat scratchers. Place large or unattractive objects in front or on top of places your cat prefers to scratch up. All- natural cat deterrent sprays may repel them from marking.
Why so demanding? Keep in mind that cats crave daily routines and some may vocalize when you’re an hour late to serve their meal or become irritated that you forgot to scoop their litter box. … Medical conditions can also cause sudden insistent demands in a cat.
Cats need to keep their claws healthy and conditioned, which can be difficult in a home environment without access to trees. … Contrary to popular belief, cats do not scratch furniture and carpet out of spite or to purposely destroy objects.
It is also a truth generally acknowledged that cats can be destructive. Many a cat owner have come home to scratched furniture, destroyed cushions, toppled over vases and food, and etcetera. … The good news is, with a bit of effort and training, you can stop your cat from destroying your household.
This neediness may have stemmed from an emotionally rooted issue like being abandoned as a kitten or separated from its mother too early, or being the newest addition to the clowder and therefore a low position in the hierarchy. Being needy may also be a manifestation of anxiety due to any change within the household.
Many cats demand attention when there’s no stress, but they like to be petted, talked to and played with. If a cat discovers that the behavior brings him what he wants, he’ll increase it to get more attention. Common ruses include jumping up to be at your level, knocking objects over, even an inhibited bite.
Make sure scratching posts are heavy and sturdy so they remain fixed in place while your cat scratches them. Cover up the spot where your cat scratches. If possible, move a piece of furniture (or a scratching post) to your cat’s favorite carpet spot. A sisal scratching post may be a good choice here.
Cats could also be trying to get your attention. Once a cat learns that knocking something to the floor will bring humans on the double-quick, she may actually do it on purpose to get your attention, particularly if she feels that a meal is long overdue, Whiteley writes.
Like puppies, kittens are naturally curious and also use their mouths to learn more about their environment. While most cats grow out of this habit after 18 months, here are a few ways you can quickly stop your kitten biting things they shouldn’t.
However, since cats explore with their mouths, they’re going to chew on things. There are a few possible medical conditions that may cause excessive chewing in cats, including teething in kittens. Yet the top cause of chewing in house cats is boredom, which is relatively easily remedied.
Cats are fascinating and occasionally somewhat frustrating creatures. They exhibit all kinds of interesting behaviors that to the untrained eye may seem truly odd. In some instances, it can even seem like our cats are trying their hardest to annoy us.
Citrus: Just like their canine counterparts, cats hate oranges, lemons, limes and the like. Some cat repellents even use these smells to help keep cats away. Banana: We know the peels can be pungent and cats find this to be especially true.
Lastly, but no less important, ignoring a cat can build frustration if the cat doesn’t know any other way to behave or has been rewarded for their behavior in the past. Frustration can lead to an increase in the behavior and may also cause lower tolerance and a higher risk of aggression.
Like dogs, cats display social flexibility in regard to their attachments with humans, said animal scientist Kristyn Vitale of Oregon State University. The majority of cats are securely attached to their owner and use them as a source of security in a novel environment.
Cats can say all sorts of things by way of their body, but a cat who might be experiencing an illness or is feeling overly stressed may intensify body movements and behaviors. These can include following you everywhere or attempting to stay as close to you as possible.
You follow the golden rule of changing behaviorreward the behavior you want, such as sitting quietly, and remove the reward for unwanted behavioryour attention. So when your cat yowls at you to give him what he wants, wait him out patiently and then only pet and provide attention when he sits quietly.
Species appropriate punishment such as hissing or the use of punishment devices such as a water sprayer, can of compressed air, or hand held alarm are better than using any physical techniques since they are less likely to lead to fear and retaliation.
One common misconception is that cats are out for revenge when they destroy household items, but these behaviors are usually part of normal investigation and play and, fortunately, can most commonly be managed with an appropriate plan and patience.
Cats like to scratch. … They scratch to mark territory or as a threatening signal other cats. And because cats’ claws need regular sharpening, cats scratch on things to remove frayed, worn outer claws and expose new, sharper claws. All this scratching can cause a lot of damage to furniture, drapes and carpeting!
Cat-Proofing Your Living Room
- Tie up or Cut Blind Cords and Loops. Cats can get injured or even strangle themselves in blind cords. …
- Keep Candles up High. Curious cats shouldn’t be around flames. …
- Cover up Electric Cords. …
- Use Essential Oils and Potpourri With Care. …
- Watch Out for Poisonous Plants and Flowers.
Cats can claw at and have accidents on carpeting, both of which are behaviours that you should try to stop immediately.
Leather furniture is nice to own but can be easily ripped to shreds by a pair of feline paws. … Leather couches, leather sofas, and even plastic and wooden furniture are not safe from cat scratching.
From scratching to staring you out, here are 10 ways to tell how your cat really feels…
- They purr. Classic cat. …
- They bring you things. …
- They meow constantly. …
- They never leave you alone. …
- They get in your personal space. …
- They knead you. …
- They flash you. …
- They won’t stop staring at you.
If your cat insists on waking you up at 4 a.m. every day it’s probably because they tricked you at some point in the past and then kept tricking you because you were so easily tricked. Congratulations, you have been outsmarted by an animal that comes up to your shins and poops in a box in the corner.
Vacations are meant to be fun for people, but due to the change in routine, they can unfortunately be a cause of stress for cats and result in behavior problems and separation anxiety. Cat behavior problems can occur during the owner’s absence, while being transported, or when the owner returns.
