When your cat, whether it's an Abyssinian or a Turkish Van, starts misbehaving, it can cause serious damage. From ripped curtains to urine-stained bed sheets, a cat on the rampage is hard to handle. Unfortunately, many owners give up on cats with behavior problems, but there are steps you can take to help your cat grow through or out of them.
To learn how to stop your cat from misbehaving, keep reading for 4 key tips on how to understand your cat.
1. Take your cat to the vet for a complete physical.
Sometimes a behavior problem can actually be a physical problem. For example, a cat that's urinating in strange places may be suffering from an illness or an infection.
Your vet can also offer suggestions and advice for problems that are behavioral.
2. Check the house for environmental factors.
Sometimes the solution is simpler than you think so check around the house for environmental factors that could be wreaking havoc on your cat's disposition.
For example, litter box problems are typically the source of rampant or improper urination. First, check where you're keeping the litter box - is it next to a loud appliance or in a heavily trafficked area of the house? Just like you, your cat wants a private and quiet place to do its business. You can also try a covered litter box, which most cats, particularly longhaired cat breeds, tend to prefer.
Next, try switching out the litter that you're using. If you're using scented, try unscented and if you're using non-clumping, try clumping. Some cats are just picky about their litter.
Finally, make sure the litter box is being cleaned frequently enough. Just as you wouldn't want to use a dirty toilet, your cat also wants a clean litter box. Also, make sure there is at least one litter box per cat as cats prefer to have their own.
3. Look to your other pets.
Sometimes problems with other animals in the house, like an aggressive older cat or a constantly chasing dog can lead to behavioral problems. Much like the child who acts out after being bullied, your cat may be dealing with those issues in the same way.
Always introduce new animals into the house slowly, keeping them separated from one another, but still able to smell and hear each other. Once they've gotten acquainted, let them co-mingle. If you're trying to deal with an existing problem, try using baby gates to keep your cats or pets separate from one another for a few days. This separation can help reduce anxiety.
4. Consult a professional.
Expensive and sometimes a last resort for many pet-owners, a pet behavior specialist may be able to help you and your cat work through your problems. According to the listings provided by the Association of Companion Animal Behavior Counselors (ACABC), a private behavior 1-hour consultation can cost anywhere from about $50 to $500, but most hover around the $70-$100 range.About the AuthorCS Swarens is the president of Find a Pet Online. 800 998-7065 For additional information on dogs, cats, birds, horses, and exotic pets visit the internet's pet resource including pet classifieds at http://www.findapetonline.com/. Research over 45 cat breed profiles at http://www.findapetonline.com/cat_breeds_a_z.html
Cat Furniture – It Keeps Your Cat From Destroying The House
There is a wide variety of cat furniture available, making it easy to get exactly what you need for your cat so it can play, rest, and relax in comfort and style. For example, there are a lot of options when it comes to the different furnishings that allow your cat to get rid of all its pent up energy. You could get it a multi-level cat tree that is made out of wood and covered in a durable carpet fabric where it could climb, run, and jump around. Normally the levels on cat trees will be connected by tall pillars and some of them will even have perches along with other juxtaposing limbs, giving your cat an ideal place to just have a good time without damaging your furniture.
If you do not have room for a huge cat tree, not a problem because there are other cat furniture selections that let your get blow off some steam. Like, the infamous scratching post, which gives your cat a nice place to just go nuts with its claws instead of your sofa. Or, maybe you are sick of your cat sleeping on your head every night. Well, to keep that from happening, just get it a nice place that it can call its own for resting and sleeping. A kitty condo would be a nice option. Just like with the cat tree, a kitty condo usually is made out of wood and is then covered in a durable carpet fabric. However, unlike the cat tree, it will usually be cylindrical in shape and feature enclosed openings where your cat can crawl inside and just take it easy. Again, if you do not have the space for one, another great choice would also be a cat bed and there are many plush ones to choose from.
For a great way to check out the different cat furniture options, instead of getting into the car and heading to your local furniture store, just jump on the internet and do some online shopping. There, you can compare products and prices of all the online stores in a matter of minutes and then when you do find something you like, it is shipped right to your front door. Shopping has never been more convenient.
In the end, if you are a new cat owner and feel like keep your house in one piece, then it is probably a good idea if you purchase some cat furniture for your space. If you do not, then your cat might tear about your house and you definitely do not want that to happen.About the AuthorJesse Akre, owner of many online sites, offers buying advice on comfortable cat furniture, luxurious cat houses, and lavish cat trees.
If you do not have room for a huge cat tree, not a problem because there are other cat furniture selections that let your get blow off some steam. Like, the infamous scratching post, which gives your cat a nice place to just go nuts with its claws instead of your sofa. Or, maybe you are sick of your cat sleeping on your head every night. Well, to keep that from happening, just get it a nice place that it can call its own for resting and sleeping. A kitty condo would be a nice option. Just like with the cat tree, a kitty condo usually is made out of wood and is then covered in a durable carpet fabric. However, unlike the cat tree, it will usually be cylindrical in shape and feature enclosed openings where your cat can crawl inside and just take it easy. Again, if you do not have the space for one, another great choice would also be a cat bed and there are many plush ones to choose from.
For a great way to check out the different cat furniture options, instead of getting into the car and heading to your local furniture store, just jump on the internet and do some online shopping. There, you can compare products and prices of all the online stores in a matter of minutes and then when you do find something you like, it is shipped right to your front door. Shopping has never been more convenient.
In the end, if you are a new cat owner and feel like keep your house in one piece, then it is probably a good idea if you purchase some cat furniture for your space. If you do not, then your cat might tear about your house and you definitely do not want that to happen.About the AuthorJesse Akre, owner of many online sites, offers buying advice on comfortable cat furniture, luxurious cat houses, and lavish cat trees.
