Cats Behavior: Raise A Good Kitten
If you’ve ever had a cat for a pet, you know that cats behavior can be quite mysterious. It is a common error to try to analyze cats behavior in light of ours. In most cases where there is a lack of cat control, it is due to our assuming things incorrectly with respect to a life form which differs significantly from us.
Humans are not pure carnivores or predators but cats are. They play and eat and behave the way they do as part of their history of living as hunting creatures in the wild. Too many humans try seeing cats behavior in human terms and understanding and this causes conflict. We would never expect an elephant to act the same way that a parakeet does, but many cat owners expect their pets to act human.
Cats do not respond at all well to “negative reinforcement.” With some animals it works, but not cats. A cat considers it an attack, defends against it, and becomes even more hostile and bad-tempered. “Positive reinforcement” is best, but even “No!” and removing the cat from the problem works better than trying to whack a cat.
Sometimes cats act a little crazy, but a lot of these behaviors come from their instincts. When they spray urine, they are marking their territory and protecting their breeding group. Of course, people do not appreciate such behaviors. Training can work, but if you are not planning on breeding your cat the best choice is neutering.
If you are concerned about your cat scratching furniture or your pants, there are several products available for your feline friend. Cats work hard to keep their claws trim and sharp and need to be trained to only use scratching boxes or posts. Your veterinarian can assist you in selecting the best scratching products and toys to aid in protecting your furniture and clothing.
Cats will stalk prey and use them for entertainment like a toy after capture. Toys that are safe to bite or chew can often be treated with catnip. In this way it will help your cat play and get rid of some of their pent up energy. If your cat is an outdoors car, it will eventually bring home a fresh kill as a “gift”. This is a cat’s natural instinct and so it should never be punished as a result. Even indoor cats will treat you with such gifts as a bug or a mouse.
Before ever assuming that a cat is behaving badly, do some reading on their natural instincts and behavior so you understand how a cat thinks instead of how human expect a cat to think. There will always be a bit of that wild lion or tiger in your purring little puff ball so it is better to learn to work with their instincts rather than to pretend they don’t exist.
Cat owners have a natural tendency to think of their pets as part of the family, which they are. Still, it’s critical to remember that cats and humans have some very basic differences. A cats behavior cannot be compared to a child’s. Remembering that cats have different instincts than humans will help immensely with cat control, and if you forget this, you’re likely to end up “herding cats.” Domestic kitties need to be trained how to scratch in more appropriate places than on your furniture. Your cat vet will be able to help you choose appropriate scratching boxes, posts, and toys for your pet.
- Paul Proctor