Cats are curious and wondrous animals. They are very distinct and have unique behaviors. It’s probably accountable for why some become ‘cat people,’ preferring cats as pets versus other animals. However, owning a cat is not always a walk in the park. Some cats can exhibit ferocious behavior. Learn how to curb the destructive behaviors and keep your feline calm.
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Learn Scratching Behaviors
Some owners wrongly believe they can keep a feline from scratching altogether. Yes, you can declaw a cat but many sources are opposed to such decisions. It’s in a cat’s nature to want to scratch at things. In the wild, cats use tree barks and other elements to sharpen and shorten their claws. Rather than attempt to curb the behavior, redirect your cat to scratch appropriate surfaces like a scratching post. Take notice of your cat’s scratching behaviors; some like to scratch at things horizontally while others like to stretch vertically.
Stop Them from Chewing
Chewing and sucking is rare yet some breeds engage in the behavior. A cat that likes to chew or suck not only threatens the integrity of furniture fabrics and clothes but also may make itself sick, or worse, obstruct its own breathing. To stop them from chewing specific items, place elements out of reach or hide things away. Moreover, introduce diversions, such as a kitty condo that has crawl spaces, perches, hanging toys, etc. For repeat offenses, you can try to spray bad-tasting repellants on particular items, though you should ensure that it won’t stain or ruin particular fabrics and cloth.
Play with Your Cat
Cats may not be as traditionally playful as dogs, yet they do require attention and do like to play. Therefore, be active in finding toys that your cat likes and engage in playful activities preferred by your feline. Play with your kitty as much as possible and rotate toys to keep them excited. However, do not play with your cat using your feet or hands or they will learn that it is okay to be aggressive toward these body parts, which can make them aggressive with visitors too. Some cats may show aggression not because it’s a part of their personality but out of boredom. Some owners place their feline in a carrier atop a seat cover from Shear Comfort Ltd. and take them to the park on a leash. It may seem eccentric, yet cats can be trained to walk on a leash.
Don’t Support Bad Behavior
Those who are new to cats or any pet may accidentally reinforce bad behavior. For example, if a cat is seeking attention and gets it when it’s being ‘bad,’ then it will continue to engage in the behavior since it gets what it wants. Similarly, some sources suggest spraying a cat with water when it’s being inappropriate, yet depending on the personality of your cat, it may see this as playing and your way of giving it attention. Moreover, trying to distract it with food can also support bad behavior, making it appear that you’re rewarding the unwanted behavior.
Close Rooms Off
Cats love having the ‘run of the house,’ but you can eradicate some unwanted behavior by lessening the opportunity for it to occur. For example, if your cat likes to scratch at your pillows or bed comforter, shut your bedroom door during the day. Alternatively, some owners keep cats in particular rooms with pet fences. It’s ideal to train your cat to act appropriately in all situations, but temporarily, it may be better to limit the number of accessible rooms.
Be Mindful of Sounds
Vocalization may not be categorized as ‘destructive,’ yet it can definitely be distracting or downright annoying depending on how loud a cat meows and how often it’s vocal. However, rather than being aggressive your cat may be reacting to noise in the immediate area. For example, your cat may show aggression or get exceedingly vocal when it rains or after you use the vacuum. Be mindful of sounds and do your best to deafen noises that make your cat feel afraid or anxious.
Chloe Webb has three cats and a dog at home, plus a menagerie of smaller fluffy animals that seems to keep on growing! A true animal person, Chloe enjoys writing pet related articles in her spare time.