Cats Behaving Badly
Oh they will look at you in ways that melt even the stoniest of hearts, but when cats behave badly, it’s no fun for anyone. Often, pet parents aren’t quite sure how to get through to their feline friends when it comes to discipline. We are going to share why cats misbehave, and some do's and don'ts of discipline.
How Kitties Misbehave
The ways cats behave badly are pretty varied and can get quite creative. Cats are smart - don’t underestimate their intelligence. They can misbehave by;
- Not using the litter box
- Bullying or aggressive behavior
- Incessant meowing, howling, or crying
- Biting, clawing, chewing of pets, people, and their stuff
Why Cats Misbehave
Believe it or not, cats are trainable, no matter how hard they may resist your efforts. They are lovable, sweet, and stubborn creatures. Humans may misinterpret a cat’s bad behavior by thinking the kitty is being malicious or acting out of anger. Kitty’s are great problem solvers, and their misbehavior may be a sign of problem solving in action, kitty-style. Cats are like people and prefer things to be a certain way, we can’t blame them! Here are a few reasons for bad kitty behavior;
- Undiagnosed health issue
- Oils, scents, deodorizers, etc. near litter box
- A new addition to the family (human or another pet)
- Boredom
- Stressful events like large family gatherings, parties, moving, or travel
- Dirty litter box
- Depression (e.g. loss of a companion)
One of the things to try before resorting to discipline is to make sure your cat is healthy; unhealthy or sick cats can act out. Also, make sure your cat’s potty area is clean and free of harsh scents and chemicals. If your cat is bored, do they have fun toys, or play areas (like the Kitty Kasas gym) to stay busy? Play with your kitty (especially before bed) to make sure they’re getting love, attention, and exercise and try to limit the amount of stress and anxiety in your cat’s life as well.
How to Discipline Your Cat
You’ve got this bad kitty and you want this bad cat behavior to stop. Cats are not like dogs, or little people, and discipline means something different. A few tips and tricks on how to discipline a cat are;
- Don’t yell or physically hurt your cat
- Don’t punish your cat after the fact
- Do ignore the unwanted behavior (when appropriate, like midnight wake up calls)
- Do use positive reinforcement
- Do put the bad kitty in timeout
- Do booby trap the off limits area with double-sided tape or foil