Why does the cat misbehave at home?

Before we talk about eliminating deviant behavior, let’s see if your pet is really a bully?

What is meant by hooliganism? These are actions of a negative nature that cannot be explained and found a reason for them. But maybe there is a reason?

For example, if a cat ruins furniture, the problem may be that it doesn’t have a specific revenge and a suitable scratching post. The desire to sharpen claws is natural for cats. Therefore, the scratching post is an extremely important device. If it is not there or if the cat does not like the existing scratching post, it will quickly find a replacement for it. Your sofa is perfect for this role!

Going to the toilet in the wrong place should not be considered hooliganism. Your pet may have health problems. Or maybe you don’t clean your cat litter often enough or buy the wrong litter. Instead of poking your cat in a puddle (which, by the way, is completely useless), it is better to review the hygiene of the cat’s toilet and take the cat to the veterinarian to rule out diseases.

Do not forget that babies and young cats are very active. They study the world, explore every corner of it and can “play pranks” to satisfy their curiosity or throw out the accumulated energy. Some cats are more playful and mobile, others less so. Some are easier to care for, others more difficult. Each cat is individual. The main thing is to understand that such pranks are a feature of your pet’s behavior. They are not directed at you personally. Contrary to stereotypes, cats do not know how to plot revenge or do something out of spite.

If the veterinary clinic assured you that the pet is completely healthy, then the cause of destructive behavior must be sought in the conditions of detention, the environment or the nature of the pet.

Let’s deal with the causes of the most popular problems that cats like to deliver.

• Damage to furniture and things

Cats are predators by nature, and the sharpness of their claws is very important to them. Sharpening of claws is a natural need of the mustachioed-striped, with which it is useless to fight.

The cat does not understand that it is impossible to sharpen its claws on the carpet, the armrests of the sofa and the legs of the table. And if you start scolding your pet, he is unlikely to learn your lesson, because. He thinks he’s doing everything right.

The solution is obvious – to purchase a scratching post for the cat and place it in those places where the pet prefers to use its claws most often. It is better if there are several and different types of scratching posts (horizontal and vertical).

The cat does not pay attention to the scratching posts? Use a simple trick: apply catnip to the surface of the scratching posts. And in places where a cat cannot be mischievous, sprinkle with a special spray from a pet store that scares away cats. You can use folk remedies – citrus essential oils: cats cannot stand these smells.

Don’t forget to trim your mischievous friend’s nails. Do this carefully, without touching the blood vessels.

• Overturning flower pots

If the flower pot is unstable, then sooner or later the cat will drop it. Let this trouble be an occasion for you to rearrange and fix flower pots in places inaccessible to cats. And at the same time, check whether your indoor plants are safe for your pet. Will he feel bad if he decides to taste them?

• Going to the toilet past the tray

Toilet slips can signal illness, so the first thing you should do is check with your veterinarian. If everything is fine, then the matter is in the filler, the tray itself or the place where it is located.

Do not forget that:

– the cat toilet should be located in a secluded and calm place so that the pet does not experience discomfort;

– it is important to regularly monitor the cleanliness of the tray;

– the toilet should fit the pet in size and not be too small;

– perhaps the cat does not like the smell and texture of the filler. Try replacing it with another brand;

– if several cats live in the house, one of them (or all at once) can mark the territory, declare their superiority;

– the problem of labels can be solved by timely castration.

To wean a pet from going to the toilet in the wrong places, you need, firstly, to make sure that everything is in order with the tray and it is convenient for the cat. Secondly, experiment with the filler. Thirdly, proceed in the same way as in the case of damage to furniture: spray your pet’s favorite places with a repellent from smell and marks.

• Night rush

Almost every cat owner will confirm that at night his pet becomes unbearable. He can run loudly, yell heart-rendingly under the door, make noise with toys and other objects, and dance on the heads of sleeping household members.

The situation can be easily corrected by the following actions:

It’s good to “exhaust” the cat in a day, and for this you need to actively play with it. If you are at work and come home only in the evening, let other family members play with the cat. Are they also out all day? Then get your pet relative. They will communicate all day and will not get bored.

Buy a variety of different toys for your cat. The ones you can play together and the ones your cat can play on their own. For example, a classic track for cats with a ball or interactive toys that are launched when a cat approaches. But there is one caveat – before going to bed, all toys should be removed to a place inaccessible to pets. For a furry friend, this will serve as a signal – to calm down and go to bed.

In no case do not follow the cat’s lead if she has an urge to eat in the middle of the night. Get out of bed once and you will never sleep peacefully again. The mustachioed cunning will understand that you can be manipulated. Ignore all the actions of the cat and teach this to other family members. Then the pet will understand that you need to humbly wait for the morning to eat and play.

Make sure your house is pitch dark at night. No nightlights, luminous toys, lanterns outside the window – nothing. Any attractive light will distract the four-legged from sleep.

Hormonal surges make a pet restless not only during the day, but also at night. Therefore, it is important to castrate or sterilize your pet in a timely manner so that it does not pester you or other animals in the house. Don’t delay with this. The later you castrate a pet, the less likely it is to correct his behavior.

• Table climbing

Trying to wean the cat from jumping on the table and other high surfaces is pointless. Remember that cats are endowed with instincts and often behave like wild brethren. Being on a hill for cats is very important. So the pet tries to control the situation in the house, observes who has entered and who has left. Do not exclude banal curiosity: there are more interesting things on the table, refrigerator and mezzanine than on the floor.

To satisfy the cat’s love for the hills, equip a comfortable place for her on the refrigerator or closet: put a pillow or a couch there, the pet will only be grateful to you. You can also purchase a special high design, consisting of scratching posts and shelves. Just be sure to fasten it to the floor and take into account the weight of your four-legged friend, otherwise the cat’s house will fall to the floor after the first jump.

• Aggression and attack from cover

Cat owners are very upset that instead of an affectionate fluffy lump, they get a fiend that attacks them from around the corner at the most unexpected moments.

Unreasonable aggression can talk about: stress, fear, experienced violence or a fight with another animal. In this case, you need to correct the behavior of the cat together with a veterinarian or zoopsychologist.

Attacks from around the corner are most often demonstrated by cats that lack activity, attention and affection. And this behavior is also characteristic of young cats, who have a strong hunting instinct and energy overflowing. Do not forget to play with your pet more often, give him a lot of interesting toys and devote more time to socializing.

Do not forget that although cats do not know how to talk, you can negotiate with them. The main thing is to be a sensitive, attentive and loving owner.