What Strategies Could We Implement to Modify the Behavior of a Cat?

Inappropriate or naughty feline behavior can be problematic for pet owners. Behaviors such as scratching, spraying, jumping on counters and furniture, urinating, and chewing are destructive and warrant intervention. There are a number of safe techniques cat owners can utilize in order to reduce or eliminate this unwanted behavior.

  1. Startle During Bad Behavior

    • Cats do not like loud noises or to be startled by surprise sensations. If a cat is engaging in bad behavior such as climbing on counters or off-limits furniture an owner can make a loud noise such as banging on the wall or hitting a spoon on a metal pan. It is important that the cat not see his owner do this or the noise will not be as effective. Spraying a cat with a spray bottle can also work in order to startle the cat into stopping an unwanted behavior. Eventually the cat will associate the behavior with the startle trigger and no longer in engage in the activity.

    Place Tin Foil

    • According to Fanciers, placing tin foil on surfaces that a cat is not supposed to jump on will prevent the undesired behavior. Cats do not like the way the foil feels beneath their feet and they especially do not like the way it sounds when they step on it.Tin foil has the additional benefit of being preventative even when an owner is not home.

    Buy a Scratching Post

    • Cats with claws have an impossible time resisting an urge to scratch. Without an appropriate place to scratch a cat will use walls, carpets, and furniture to meet its needs. In order to prevent a cat from scratching valuable items an owner should purchase or make the cat a scratching post it can use for that purpose. Different cats like to scratch on difference surfaces so an owner may need to experiment with different textures and surfaces to find a scratching post a cat will use. Using the spray bottle or a loud noise when the cat tries scratching anything other than the scratching post will help reinforce the preferable behavior.

    Keep Litter Boxes Clean and Accessible

    • If a cat is urinating in places other than a litter box a pet owner should take the cat to his vet to rule out a medical problem such as a urinary tract infection. Once an illness is ruled out the owner should modify the litter box environment. Cats do not like a dirty or stinky litter box and if a cat is peeing outside of the box the owner may need to change the litter more. If the pet owner lives in a multi-cat household there should be a litter box for each individual cat. The little boxes should be placed in a quiet part of the home to prevent the cat from peeing outside of the box due to being startled.

    Spray Bitter Fruit or Sprinkle Pepper

    • If a cat is chewing on items such a cords or plants, bitter apple or bitter orange spray sprinkled on the favorite chewing items can help to stop the negative behavior. A cat detests the bitter taste of the product and will avoid getting the flavor in its mouth again. Sprinkling black pepper or vinegar can have the same effect.