How to Modify Cat Behavior

While owning a cat can provide lots of joy and companionship, it can also provide a few headaches if your cat displays undesirable behavior. Typical unwanted actions can include scratching in inappropriate places, jumping on things and urinating outside of the litter box. There are many ways in which to modify these types of behaviors and it may take some trial and error before you find what works best for you and your cat.

Things You'll Need

  • Aluminum foil
  • Double-sided tape
  • Shelf tape
  • Citrus spray
  • Cologne
  • Aloe gel
  • Muscle rub
  • Air horn
  • Coin-filled jar
  • Motion detector
  • Aluminum pie pan
  • Behavior-modifying drug
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Instructions

    • 1

      Apply double-sided carpet tape, shelf paper or aluminum foil to a surface to prevent your cat from scratching it or walking on it. Felines typically do not like the feel of tape against their paws, therefore, placing this on an area may deter the kitty from touching it. Likewise, the texture of aluminum foil and the sound it makes when touched usually bothers cats. You can also try placing a carpet runner upside down so that it's spikes are pointing up in a place you do not want you cat to go.

    • 2

      Spray the area in which you want to prevent your cat from going with a substance that cats are typically not fond of smelling. Generally, cats do not like the smell or taste of citrus; therefore, using a spray that contains this ingredient will likely keep your kitty away and may prevent it from urinating in that area. In addition, some colognes, aloe gel and muscle rubs can have the same effect.

    • 3

      Create a loud noise or startling action when your cat displays undesirable behavior. If you startle the cat with a loud sound, he will eventually associate his undesirable behavior with the unpleasant noise and will stop. You can create these sounds by shaking a coin-filled container or blowing a loud whistle or air horn. Furthermore, if you squirt you cat with water when he does something you would rather he not do, he should eventually stop.

    • 4

      Leave devices in the areas where you want to keep your cat from bothering. If your cat only gets corrected when you are there, he will learn to only behave inappropriately when you are not there. Therefore, if he is corrected when you are not there as well, he will likely stop the behavior entirely. Try leaving an aluminum pie pan filled with beans, water or pebbles in the area so that it will startle him if he jumps on it. You could also try motion detectors that make noises when activated.

    • 5

      Consult with your veterinarian about behavior-modifying drugs. If your cat is displaying excessively anxious or nervous behavior, an anti-anxiety drug may be in order. Sometimes, cats will urinate outside of the litter box because of stress and if the cause of stress cannot be determined or remedied, a drug such as Valium may help.