Posts Tagged: Cat Behavior

It’s not just the alliteration that makes the term “crazy cat” ring true. Cats are, or at least have the daily potential to be, in a word, crazy. That’s why we love them! Whether they’re climbing the curtains or waiting to ambush you when you least expect it, cats can be unpredictable and a tad zany. Of their incredible physical skills, the zoomies, or sudden bursts of energetic, wild-eyed zipping about, are either misunderstood or marginally tolerated. Because the zoomies come with territory, we’d like to explain this crazy cat behavior in order to help you better appreciate it. 

Cats are known to feel and exhibit a wide array of emotions, and their behaviors definitely mirror how they feel. For example, a happy, confident cat will simply appear content and satisfied. Likewise, a stressed-out, scared, or anxious cat will conduct themselves in ways that aim for self-preservation and protection. Cat anxiety occurs for many reasons, but with support and understanding, symptoms can be supplanted by happy kitty vibes. 

There’s a lot to consider when it comes to your cat’s health. Of course, you’ll want to be sure they’re eating the right food for their age and lifestyle, exercising every day, and standing up to year round parasites. But to truly address feline wellness, it’s crucial to look at the entire animal. In other words, a happy cat is a healthy cat.

Cats can be mysterious creatures, but if we’re really paying attention their communications are loud and clear. Take scratching, for example. Instead of trying to get your goat, cats are merely answering to a feline instinct to stretch, mark their territory, and liberate the dried up outer sheaths of their claws. 

Cats aren’t trying to be destructive when they scratch, but they are clearly saying to their owner that they like that couch corner or area rug, and enjoy using it to their benefit. Luckily, it doesn’t take much to curb destructive cat behavior.

Cats can sometimes come off like they’re a little… unimpressed? Indeed, just try to capture your cat’s attention with a string or piece of yarn, only to be greeted with a ‘meh’.

While your cat may temporarily convince you that your efforts are nothing short of miraculous, they’ll eventually yawn and simply strut away. In this way, it can feel impossible to adequately entertain your indoor cat. However, figuring out what makes them “tick” is a worthwhile endeavor that leads to the peak of feline happiness.

Whether you’re reflecting on relationships between people or animals, The Beatles may have said it best with their song “All You Need Is Love.” 

It’s true that love plays a gigantic role in cat ownership, but a lasting connection must also include Aretha Franklin’s most famous song: “R-E-S-P-E-C-T”. You might think that you’re covering all the bases when it comes to pleasing your cat, but it’s equally possible that you’re missing the mark a bit.

In other words, to truly understand feline behavior you might want to change or omit a few things.

Not all cat owners enjoy scooping out the litter box, but this daily chore sure beats cleaning up messes made outside the box! Beyond the associated frustration, it can be maddening to get to the bottom of litter box problems. Why does this behavior seem to pop up overnight, and what can be done to encourage litter box frequency? 

Patience and diligence are the keys to helping an affected feline turn things around.

Inappropriate, Inconvenient

Some pets take to house training like nobody’s business, others may have challenges and  ultimately reverse course. Getting to the bottom of this mystery can take time, but a wellness visit complete with physical exam and diagnostics can rule out underlying illnesses that often cause spraying or incontinence. If it’s painful to urinate in the box, cats will begin to form negative associations that are hard to break.