Instructions
Reduce the cat's stress and anxiety. When a cat is stressed it may begin to display antisocial or problem behaviors. Events such as moving, a new pet in the house or a change in routine can have a detrimental effect on the cat's behavior and cause it to act out. Giving the cat time to relax and become used to a new situation will go a long time to soothe any stress and eliminate any anxiety.
Check for an underlying medical problem. A cat's behavior problems may be rooted in a medical condition such as an illness or parasites. If the cat is suffering from some form of physical trauma or has a medical condition it may cause the cat to be irritable and behave badly or display unusual behavior. Have the cat checked out by a veterinarian to ensure that cat is not reacting to pain or discomfort.
Provide activities for the cat to reduce boredom. A cat needs to be stimulated mentally and have ways to satisfy its natural instincts. Activities such as toys, scratching posts and places to climb will allow a cat to exercise mentally and physically. A cat with little to do in the way of activities will find other means of keeping itself occupied, such as climbing into high places or knocking things over. Providing a cat with a range of toys and activities will keep it from acting up out of boredom.
Allow the cat fresh air and sunshine. If the cat is used to being outdoors it may resent being cooped up, and act out as a result. Even indoor cats can develop bad behavior as a result of feeling deprived of fresh air and sunshine. If the cat is not allowed to go outdoors then a place where they can sit by a window and watch what is going on outside can help a cat not feel cooped up and relieve a lot of bad behavior that would result from that built-up tension.
How to Solve Cat Behavior Problems
A cat's free-spirited personality makes it a desirable companion for many people. It is just that personality that can make a cat difficult to train. When a cat begins to develop behavior problems, such as scratching furniture, refusing to use the litter box and overall increased aggression, you can't correct the problem in the same way you would with a dog. Many cat owners who attempt to apply the same training techniques can experience less than desirable results. A cat's behavior problems may stem from boredom, stress or an underlying medical condition and addressing these will go a long way to correcting bad behavior.