Cat Behavioural Problems
Most people have the idea that cats can't be trained. They think any behavioural problems a cat has can't be changed because cats are supposed to be totally self-centered and independent. More people are finding out that you can in fact train a cat to solve a lot of common behavioural problems.
Some people might wonder why they should take the time to train their cat. There are several reasons, including being able to have a better connection and relationship with your feline companion. Training will make your cat more active and responsive to you and its surroundings. It can make frightened and shy cats more confident and outgoing. If you have a dominant cat you can make them less aggressive.
If you are using treats when training, to make it easier you should not leave food out so the cat can eat any time it wants. If you put your cat on a regular feeding schedule and remove any uneaten food it will make the treats you are using for training more effective. You need to also remember your cat is not a mind reader and you have to be very clear on what you want them to do. Another thing to remember is to never lose your temper, if your cat is not responding to you take a break and try again later.
One type of behavioural problem that your cat might display is scratching. When it comes to scratching it is important to remember that this is a natural and inbred action. It is impossible to get a cat to stop scratching, but they can be trained to only scratch on acceptable objects rather than your favourite armchair.
A cat will scratch for many different reasons. They do this to remove the dead outer layers of their claws. They also use scratching to mark territory and to stretch their bodies and flex their feet and claws. If you have scratching objects which are convenient and appealing to your cat they will use these.
To find the perfect scratching item for your cat you should observe where and what they seem to want to scratch on most. You will want to notice where these objects are located such as near their bed or by the front door.
After you have decided what and where they prefer substitute similar items in these locations. There are many different scratching posts available including rope wrapped posts, cardboard or even logs are sometimes preferred. Now cover the area where they usually want to scratch with something they find unappealing. Aluminium foil works well for this purpose because most cats don't like the noise it makes when touched.
After your cat is consistently scratching on the desirable object you can remove the foil from the other item. You should never punish your cat for scratching. Just tell them no and provide something acceptable for them to use. Punishment won't change the bad behaviour and can make your cat afraid of you or its environment.
Depending on what kind of behavioural problems your cat is having will determine what type of action is necessary. You should always check with your vet if your cat starts misbehaving and being aggressive. These can be signs of an illness or condition. There is also professional help available. There are people who can help you to combat your cat's bad behaviour. These types of people are cat behavioural specialists and can be found in your area.
To make sure your cat stays healthy and will enjoy a long life, you might want to consider buying cat insurance in case their will be unforeseen medical expenses in the years to come. You have health insurance on the rest of your family and for peace of mind you might want to get pet insurance on your feline companions.
