By: Kurt Schmitt
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A cat litter box problem stems from one of two kinds of causes. The first is physical, which I've discussed in another article, and the second is behavioral. Today, we're going to look at some of the behavioral causes.
Since your cat can't talk, it is often necessary to use a diagnosis of exclusion in these cases. Rule out each issue one by one until you're left with the only answer.
In this case, it is always best to use caution and assume that your cat has a physical problem, unless your vet says otherwise. So, the first step is to have a consultation with your vet.
Next, after your vet has ruled out a physical problem, you have to assume that your litter box problems are behavioral. Let's think like a cat for a minute and try to understand some of the behavioral reasons for not using the litter box.
1. Dirty Cat Box - some cats prefer the box to be extremely clean, and others are willing to allow it to be somewhat less so. No matter what, you should clean your litter box at least once per day. You should also change your litter out completely at least every few weeks. Whenever you change the litter, wash the litter box thoroughly. Be sure to wash the lid too if you have a hooded box.
2. Box Odor - some cats will refuse to use a litter box if it doesn't smell right. Remember, that means smell right to the cat, not to you. You might be thinking that your clean box smells just fine. This is not always the case.
You need to clean the box to your cat's satisfaction. Scented cleaners, not rinsing well enough, or not cleaning thoroughly are all reasons why yoru cat won't be pleased. It's recommended that you use a solution of one part bleach to 30 parts water for sanitizing. When you're finished, the box should be clean and dry and not smell like cat waste, soap, or bleach.
3. Litter Box Odor - some cats simply prefer the odor of one brand or type of litter over another. Even unscented litters have an odor your cat can detect and may not like. Be prepared to try different types and brands until you find the right one for your cat.
4. Litter Type - your cat may be turned off by the type of cat litter you use. Also, try not to switch litters too quickly. When changing litters, try adding 20 percent new litter to 80 percent old, and then increasing the amount of new litter over several days until you're at 100 percent.
5. Wrong Litter Box Type - the type of box, including the shape and size may matter. Some cats may like a hooded box, while others prefer the open type. Things like higher or lower walls, or a larger box may be preferred. If you've recently changed litter boxes, this could be your problem.
6. Number of Boxes - in multi-cat households, territory is at a premium. Use the one plus one rule when selecting how many boxes you'll need in order to prevent traffic jams. That means one box for each cat, plus one extra so that there is always a free box available. Having more boxes also keeps each box a little cleaner, which makes the scooping chore a bit easier on you.
7. Bad Location - this can be an issue since in some cases, you just can't find a good spot for the box. I've seen them in busy and noisy areas like laundry rooms and kitchens. If your cat is not pleased with the location of the box, she may stop using it. Always try to keep the box in an area that is low traffic and low noise.
8. Territorial Disputes - multi-cat households pose unique problems, and cats sometimes fight over territory, even when they normally get along. Some cats like to sneak up on others when they're using the box and pounce. If one of your cats keeps getting attacked every time she's in the box, she may grow to hate it. Keep to the one plus one rule to help avoid this situation.
9. Stress - if your cat is stressed by a recent move, a new addition to the household, or perhaps simply a behavior shift on the part of a family member, this may be at the root of the box issue. Try to think about what might have changed recently in your cat's life, and then try to ease whatever stress she's under.
Cat litter box problems can usually be solved, and the solution doesn't mean getting rid of the cat. Knowing which solution to use means knowing the cause. Use your veterinarian to rule out physical causes first, then work on the behavioral possibilities. A little learning on your part so that you can think like a cat may be in order, but if you keep at it, you'll come up with the solution.
Author's Resource:
About the author: Kurt Schmitt is an experienced cat owner and offers advice on cat litter box problems and other cat care subjects at Cat Lovers Only.
Visit Animal Pets & Friends for more pet and animal articles.
Cat Facts : Social Behavior And Interaction
By: Kurt Schmitt
The following cat facts on social behavior and interaction should help you better understand your pet. Cat behavior is largely misunderstood, even by experienced cat owners. I hope you find this helpful.
Cats are well known and loved for their independence and self-absorbed nature. When they do pay us some attention, we usually feel quite special. A cat that rolls over on its back and asks for a belly scratch should be rewarded with affection.
If you often wonder what your cat is thinking, you're not alone. Cats are mysterious creatures and we're often not sure why they behave the way they do.
As a good pet owner, though, one of your responsibilities is to learn how to better care for your cat. Here are some unique cat facts that may help you better understand your feline friend.
1. Leave me alone. Unlike dogs, domestic cats do not form packs. When forced to live closer to other cats than they normally would in the wild, cats will often time share their territory when possible.
2. A kitten's tendency to be friendly and sociable comes from two sources; genetically, primarily from the father's genes, and behaviorally, primarily from learning to be sociable from their mother.
3. When a kitten is between two and seven weeks old is the most important time to instill proper socialization.
4. When a cat experiences a trauma, it can go through a second socialization process during recovery. This can result in the cat becoming friendlier than before the trauma. Unfortunately, it can go the other way and make the cat more aloof as well.
5. Descending from solitary creatures that stake out a territory and hunt alone, domestic cats have a limited set of body language skills.
6. Cats make up for limited body language in social settings in a number of ways. One of those ways is to scent everything; another is to be stealthy and fast!
7. Your cats will leave their scent in strategic places all over their territory. They'll also leave their scent on you and other animals in the house. This creates a communal scent, and provides your cats with comfort knowing that these animals are part of the same social group.
8. When you scratch your cat's back, you'll notice that she will raise her back end up so as to better scent your hand. She'll also very often stiffen her tail while keeping it bent.
9. A tail held vertically is a greeting, and an indication of happiness. If you had a tail, your cat would probably appreciate it since he'd better understand your mood.
10. When the front paws are curled up and tucked in, and the back legs are outstretched to the side, your cat is relaxed and secure.
Did you find these cat facts interesting? I hope at least some of them surprise you a bit. If you take a minute to read between the lines, most of them will allow you to better understand how your cat communicates.
Author's Resource:
Author Kurt Schmitt, an experienced cat owner, writes more about cat facts at the web site for cat lovers.
Visit Animal Pets & Friends for more pet and animal articles.
The following cat facts on social behavior and interaction should help you better understand your pet. Cat behavior is largely misunderstood, even by experienced cat owners. I hope you find this helpful.
Cats are well known and loved for their independence and self-absorbed nature. When they do pay us some attention, we usually feel quite special. A cat that rolls over on its back and asks for a belly scratch should be rewarded with affection.
If you often wonder what your cat is thinking, you're not alone. Cats are mysterious creatures and we're often not sure why they behave the way they do.
As a good pet owner, though, one of your responsibilities is to learn how to better care for your cat. Here are some unique cat facts that may help you better understand your feline friend.
1. Leave me alone. Unlike dogs, domestic cats do not form packs. When forced to live closer to other cats than they normally would in the wild, cats will often time share their territory when possible.
2. A kitten's tendency to be friendly and sociable comes from two sources; genetically, primarily from the father's genes, and behaviorally, primarily from learning to be sociable from their mother.
3. When a kitten is between two and seven weeks old is the most important time to instill proper socialization.
4. When a cat experiences a trauma, it can go through a second socialization process during recovery. This can result in the cat becoming friendlier than before the trauma. Unfortunately, it can go the other way and make the cat more aloof as well.
5. Descending from solitary creatures that stake out a territory and hunt alone, domestic cats have a limited set of body language skills.
6. Cats make up for limited body language in social settings in a number of ways. One of those ways is to scent everything; another is to be stealthy and fast!
7. Your cats will leave their scent in strategic places all over their territory. They'll also leave their scent on you and other animals in the house. This creates a communal scent, and provides your cats with comfort knowing that these animals are part of the same social group.
8. When you scratch your cat's back, you'll notice that she will raise her back end up so as to better scent your hand. She'll also very often stiffen her tail while keeping it bent.
9. A tail held vertically is a greeting, and an indication of happiness. If you had a tail, your cat would probably appreciate it since he'd better understand your mood.
10. When the front paws are curled up and tucked in, and the back legs are outstretched to the side, your cat is relaxed and secure.
Did you find these cat facts interesting? I hope at least some of them surprise you a bit. If you take a minute to read between the lines, most of them will allow you to better understand how your cat communicates.
Author's Resource:
Author Kurt Schmitt, an experienced cat owner, writes more about cat facts at the web site for cat lovers.
Visit Animal Pets & Friends for more pet and animal articles.
A Common Christmas Cat Behavior Problem
By : Mark and Cindi
Let's discuss why the cat is drawn to the tree and a few things you can do to stop your cat from wrecking the halls.
Many cats are curious about new objects that appear in their territory, especially ones as interesting as a real tree. The genuine real pine scent of a Christmas tree can be very attractive to your cat and reminds them of the great outdoors. Another major temptation is all of those glimmering ornaments and shimmering tinsel. Many cats like shiny objects and will discover a slight bat of the paw makes these objects move in an interesting way, another bat turns them into fun toys that skater across the floor.
A third attraction can be what's under the tree. If catnip toys and gifts of food are wrapped and placed under the tree, A few days before Christmas, your cat doesn't know to wait until Christmas morning. Do not put those gifts under the tree until you're ready to open presents with your family. Following will be a few more tips to discourage your cat from attacking your Christmas tree.
To stop your cat from knocking over your tree put a hook in your ceiling or the top of the window molding nearest the tree and use a high-strength fishing line to anchor the tree in place. Note that two or three hooks or even better.
Position your most prized shining Christmas ornaments, and any breakable ones on the upper branches or even consider displaying them somewhere other than on the tree. Like on a fireplace mantel or shelf. Use non-breakable ornaments when ever possible on the Christmas tree.
If a Christmas ornament should become broken make sure to jump right on the clean up. Shards of fine glass can become a hazard to your felines feet. If your cat should develop a limping condition or show cat behavior signs of painful feet perform a detailed inspection of the paws and pad area. A trip to the vet may be in order to remove any foreign objects.
At the base of the tree you can place non-breakable cat toys on the floor near the tree to hopefully distract your curious cat. You can also place orange or grapefruit peels under the tree. Generally cats dislike the scent of citrus. Another good tip, is it that your tree sits in a bath of water, make sure that you securely cover the water so that your cat won't play with the water and will not take a drink from it because this stagnant water, may make him sick.
Your cats behavior during the Christmas season can become more active and excited just like children. With some extra attention to your cat and their environment you can be assured that you and your cat will both have a safe and happy Christmas holiday season.
Author's Resource:
Got a scared cat? Some cats panic every time the smallest change occurs, teach your cat to calm down and become less nervous in any situation. For cat health issues visit here for the most recent cat health articles provided for cat lovers all over the world
Visit Animal Pets & Friends for more pet and animal articles.
Let's discuss why the cat is drawn to the tree and a few things you can do to stop your cat from wrecking the halls.
Many cats are curious about new objects that appear in their territory, especially ones as interesting as a real tree. The genuine real pine scent of a Christmas tree can be very attractive to your cat and reminds them of the great outdoors. Another major temptation is all of those glimmering ornaments and shimmering tinsel. Many cats like shiny objects and will discover a slight bat of the paw makes these objects move in an interesting way, another bat turns them into fun toys that skater across the floor.
A third attraction can be what's under the tree. If catnip toys and gifts of food are wrapped and placed under the tree, A few days before Christmas, your cat doesn't know to wait until Christmas morning. Do not put those gifts under the tree until you're ready to open presents with your family. Following will be a few more tips to discourage your cat from attacking your Christmas tree.
To stop your cat from knocking over your tree put a hook in your ceiling or the top of the window molding nearest the tree and use a high-strength fishing line to anchor the tree in place. Note that two or three hooks or even better.
Position your most prized shining Christmas ornaments, and any breakable ones on the upper branches or even consider displaying them somewhere other than on the tree. Like on a fireplace mantel or shelf. Use non-breakable ornaments when ever possible on the Christmas tree.
If a Christmas ornament should become broken make sure to jump right on the clean up. Shards of fine glass can become a hazard to your felines feet. If your cat should develop a limping condition or show cat behavior signs of painful feet perform a detailed inspection of the paws and pad area. A trip to the vet may be in order to remove any foreign objects.
At the base of the tree you can place non-breakable cat toys on the floor near the tree to hopefully distract your curious cat. You can also place orange or grapefruit peels under the tree. Generally cats dislike the scent of citrus. Another good tip, is it that your tree sits in a bath of water, make sure that you securely cover the water so that your cat won't play with the water and will not take a drink from it because this stagnant water, may make him sick.
Your cats behavior during the Christmas season can become more active and excited just like children. With some extra attention to your cat and their environment you can be assured that you and your cat will both have a safe and happy Christmas holiday season.
Author's Resource:
Got a scared cat? Some cats panic every time the smallest change occurs, teach your cat to calm down and become less nervous in any situation. For cat health issues visit here for the most recent cat health articles provided for cat lovers all over the world
Visit Animal Pets & Friends for more pet and animal articles.
Stop your cat from scratching furniture.
By : Jeff Mcclure
Cats are known for scratching and clawing. This is a natural behavior that you can control with a little training. Fist you need to know the reasons behind the clawing. Cats claw mainly to mark their territory and to exercise and stretch. You will not be able to completely stop your cat from clawing and scratching things, but you can control what the cat scratches.
Step one is to give your cat an alternative to clawing your furniture. Scratching posts and toys will give the cat an expectable outlet for their natural behavior. A scratching post can be inexpensively built out of a couple pieces of wood nailed together and then covered with carpet. The trick is to train the cat as soon as you get them before they start on the furniture.
Scratching posts are perfectly designed to fulfill the cats scratching needs, they are usually covered with carpet and cats love them. Place the scratching post near where the cat eats or where he likes to sleep because the cat will want to establish these areas as their own personal territory. Hopefully the cat will pick the scratching post instead of the furniture and no further training will be necessary.
When your cat does pick a piece of furniture to scratch what you need to do is change his mind and redirect his attention to the scratching post. First try to pick the cat up when you find him clawing the furniture and put him down at his scratching post. The next thing to try is to temporarily cover what the cat wants to scratch so the post is more desirable. If all else fails chaise the cat away with a firm “no” or “bad cat”, however be sure not to be overly aggressive as you do not want your cat to be afraid of you. Extreme measures such as spraying the cat with water or putting chemical deterrents on the furniture being scratched is usually a short cut that does not work in the long run because the point of the training should be to show the cat where he can scratch not to just scare or punish him.
Declawing your cat is not a good solution to a clawing problem. Declawing is painful for your pet. Not only is the claw removed but part of the toe as well. If you think declawing is your only alternative you should consider that owning a cat is not for you and give the cat to someone that has the time to train the cat so that both the cat and the owner can be happy.
Understanding your cat’s behavior will help you have a positive experience with your pet. It has been my experience that cats are smart and learn fast so very little effort on your part will be needed and the cat will stop its bad behavior in a few days or so. If you can meet the needs of the cat you will have a happy cat that will give you what you need.
Author's Resource:
You can read more cat articles at JimsPets.com. Jeff Mcclure is a featured author at JimsPets.com.and you can read more of his articles at JimsPets.com.
Visit Animal Pets & Friends for more pet and animal articles.
Cats are known for scratching and clawing. This is a natural behavior that you can control with a little training. Fist you need to know the reasons behind the clawing. Cats claw mainly to mark their territory and to exercise and stretch. You will not be able to completely stop your cat from clawing and scratching things, but you can control what the cat scratches.
Step one is to give your cat an alternative to clawing your furniture. Scratching posts and toys will give the cat an expectable outlet for their natural behavior. A scratching post can be inexpensively built out of a couple pieces of wood nailed together and then covered with carpet. The trick is to train the cat as soon as you get them before they start on the furniture.
Scratching posts are perfectly designed to fulfill the cats scratching needs, they are usually covered with carpet and cats love them. Place the scratching post near where the cat eats or where he likes to sleep because the cat will want to establish these areas as their own personal territory. Hopefully the cat will pick the scratching post instead of the furniture and no further training will be necessary.
When your cat does pick a piece of furniture to scratch what you need to do is change his mind and redirect his attention to the scratching post. First try to pick the cat up when you find him clawing the furniture and put him down at his scratching post. The next thing to try is to temporarily cover what the cat wants to scratch so the post is more desirable. If all else fails chaise the cat away with a firm “no” or “bad cat”, however be sure not to be overly aggressive as you do not want your cat to be afraid of you. Extreme measures such as spraying the cat with water or putting chemical deterrents on the furniture being scratched is usually a short cut that does not work in the long run because the point of the training should be to show the cat where he can scratch not to just scare or punish him.
Declawing your cat is not a good solution to a clawing problem. Declawing is painful for your pet. Not only is the claw removed but part of the toe as well. If you think declawing is your only alternative you should consider that owning a cat is not for you and give the cat to someone that has the time to train the cat so that both the cat and the owner can be happy.
Understanding your cat’s behavior will help you have a positive experience with your pet. It has been my experience that cats are smart and learn fast so very little effort on your part will be needed and the cat will stop its bad behavior in a few days or so. If you can meet the needs of the cat you will have a happy cat that will give you what you need.
Author's Resource:
You can read more cat articles at JimsPets.com. Jeff Mcclure is a featured author at JimsPets.com.and you can read more of his articles at JimsPets.com.
Visit Animal Pets & Friends for more pet and animal articles.
Living Normally With A Cat Allergy
By: Laura Marsh
An allergy is a reaction to a substance in the environment, these can be a range of things such as pollen, dust mites, animal hair etc. For some very unlucky people, they have an allergy to their cat.
Most allergy sufferers will suffer from more than just one allergy, should they ever be tested for them. And the belief that giving away the family cat will stop the allergy problems is often wrong as the other allergens still remain in the house.
The most common cat allergen is cat hair and cat dandruff. The symptoms of these produce themselves in the same way as pollen or dust mite allergies. These often include, swollen, itchy and runny eyes, a runny nose, coughing and in severe cases Asthma.
You should not even consider giving your cat away, as it is normally a combination of factors in your house that are causing you to have this allergy and therefore giving the cat away will not solve the problem.
You can ease the symptoms of cat allergies and in many cases prevent them from happening in the first place by following a few procedures:
1. Do not let your cat in your bed room. As you sleep in the bedroom, you do not wish to get cat hair and dandruff on your bedding or around your bedroom, as this can make the allergic reaction worse at night, causing you breathing and sleeping problems when your body is trying to repair itself.
2. Vacuum your cat. This sounds like a completely mad ritual, however you can remove a lot of the loose hair and debris this way. Most cats are happy for you to do this with a low suction setting and low noise. And for those cats that are reluctant, if you keep repeating the process they will soon get used to this new regular grooming process.
3. Wash your cat once a week. This will help with the cat dandruff. Most cats are actually quite happy to have a bath, although using the bathtub is not a good idea. Use a large bowl or the kitchen sink, and make sure the water is only tepid.
4. Clean your house regularly and thoroughly. Pay extra attention to your upholstery and carpets where cat hairs and cat dandruff my lie unseen. If you invest in a good vacuum cleaner you can purchase ones specifically for use in households with pets.
5. There is also a range of injections available to desensitised you to the cat and these are carried out over two to three years, however this should really only be considered in severe cases.
If you only have a minor case of cat allergy you can try taking antihistamines available over the counter from your pharmacist. Often you will find that after a few months of taking these the allergy no longer effects you.
Author's Resource:
Written by Laura Marsh. Did you find this information on cat allergies useful? Visit www.caringforyourcat.info for more information on cats and cat care.
Visit Animal Pets & Friends for more pet and animal articles.
An allergy is a reaction to a substance in the environment, these can be a range of things such as pollen, dust mites, animal hair etc. For some very unlucky people, they have an allergy to their cat.
Most allergy sufferers will suffer from more than just one allergy, should they ever be tested for them. And the belief that giving away the family cat will stop the allergy problems is often wrong as the other allergens still remain in the house.
The most common cat allergen is cat hair and cat dandruff. The symptoms of these produce themselves in the same way as pollen or dust mite allergies. These often include, swollen, itchy and runny eyes, a runny nose, coughing and in severe cases Asthma.
You should not even consider giving your cat away, as it is normally a combination of factors in your house that are causing you to have this allergy and therefore giving the cat away will not solve the problem.
You can ease the symptoms of cat allergies and in many cases prevent them from happening in the first place by following a few procedures:
1. Do not let your cat in your bed room. As you sleep in the bedroom, you do not wish to get cat hair and dandruff on your bedding or around your bedroom, as this can make the allergic reaction worse at night, causing you breathing and sleeping problems when your body is trying to repair itself.
2. Vacuum your cat. This sounds like a completely mad ritual, however you can remove a lot of the loose hair and debris this way. Most cats are happy for you to do this with a low suction setting and low noise. And for those cats that are reluctant, if you keep repeating the process they will soon get used to this new regular grooming process.
3. Wash your cat once a week. This will help with the cat dandruff. Most cats are actually quite happy to have a bath, although using the bathtub is not a good idea. Use a large bowl or the kitchen sink, and make sure the water is only tepid.
4. Clean your house regularly and thoroughly. Pay extra attention to your upholstery and carpets where cat hairs and cat dandruff my lie unseen. If you invest in a good vacuum cleaner you can purchase ones specifically for use in households with pets.
5. There is also a range of injections available to desensitised you to the cat and these are carried out over two to three years, however this should really only be considered in severe cases.
If you only have a minor case of cat allergy you can try taking antihistamines available over the counter from your pharmacist. Often you will find that after a few months of taking these the allergy no longer effects you.
Author's Resource:
Written by Laura Marsh. Did you find this information on cat allergies useful? Visit www.caringforyourcat.info for more information on cats and cat care.
Visit Animal Pets & Friends for more pet and animal articles.