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26 May Cat Behavior: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
Cats are amazing creatures with mysterious behaviours that we mere humans struggle to understand. Cats were treasured in ancient Egypt for protecting vital grain bins and in medieval London for clearing alleyways of disease-bearing vermin.
Pharaohs who revered cats as honoured creatures were buried in Egyptian tombs along with their cats, while Salem cats were wrongfully vilified by others as evil witch consorts and merciless killers.
Their aloof, independent nature along with their spontaneous displays of affection make cats a true enigma. Despite their independence, cats can be trained by those willing to invest the effort.
Patient training can teach a cat to walk on leash
For all their endearing cuteness, cats are actually hunting machines, fully equipped by nature for silent stalking, hunting and killing.
Directional radar ears, silent paw pads, night vision and an uncanny ability to squeeze into impossibly-tight places all combine to make cats very efficient killers.
Toying with their prey prior to killing may seem cruel, but it is actually just a part of their innate skill set. Many cat behaviour problems arise when their hunting instincts are suppressed in their modern, domesticated environment.
A feather cat wand can help meet your cats hunting needs
An indoor cat in an apartment with little opportunity to actually hunt and kill prey may benefit from substitute behaviours to fulfil their hunting instincts. These behavioural needs are almost as vital to total cat health as other basic factors like nutrition or vaccinations.
Stopping bad cat behaviour may be achieved by simply providing substitute frequent hunting activities. Engage your cat with a feather-tipped wand or a fetch game using a small stuffed toy mouse. A sturdy cat tree can provide exercise and scratching post benefits, too.
When a cat suddenly breaks training by urinating or defecating outside their litter box, try to figure out what is causing the cat behaviour problems. Box relocation, litter change or even not changing the dirty litter frequently enough can cause a break in training.
Retrace any recent changes and eliminate possible causes one at the time. Other factors can contribute to breaking training, such as the introduction of an additional household pet, prolonged absence of the owner, and more. Basically, any factors that have recently changed should be considered and remedied when possible.
Cats can be trained to do many tricks, including walking on a leash. The harness and leash must be introduced slowly, and never drag a reluctant trainee!
Leash training requires constant supervision and can take weeks or months. Cat treats can sometimes be awarded for successful completion of a trick along with praise or petting.
Problem cat behaviour can often be discouraged by setting booby traps, like stacking cans in an off-limits corner, creating a loud crash when cat encroaches.
Averse to loud noises, cats will then avoid that area in the future. With love and patience, you can shape your cats behaviour into a beautiful thing.