COMMON CAT BEHAVIOUR PROBLEMS
Our Cat Behaviourist or Cat Behaviour Specialist at Animal Behaviour Australia is an Animal Behaviourist who helps pet owners with an extensive range of Cat Behaviour Problems. These include the following common problem cat behaviours:
LITTER BOX & CAT TOILETING ISSUES:
Cats can stop using their litter tray altogether, or just use them for either urination or defecation, but not for both. Cat toileting issues can also present themselves in several different ways, like defecating behind the sofa, for example. Numerous reasons exist for why your cat might choose to cease using their litter box. These reasons include the common culprits; conflict between multiple cats in a household, the placement or location of the litter tray, the type of litter tray, negative associations with a litter tray, stress in the household, medical conditions, and cleanliness of the litter tray. However, countless motivations exist… None of these motivations include, they are doing it to annoy you!
Why has your cat decided to toilet outside of their litter box?
The bad news: each cat and each case are different. Dr Google rarely helps, sorry.
The good news: each cat has a motivation, or motivations, and a Cat Behaviourist will find it.
Once your cat starts to avoid using their litter tray or has cat toileting issues, the negative behaviour can swiftly become a chronic problem.
One commonly listed culprit for litter tray abandonment is cats like a clean litter tray. Make sure to change the cat litter at least once a day. Wash and rinse the litter tray out with baking soda once a week. If the problem persists, and you have had your cat checked by your vet to ensure that your cat is medically healthy, then get a consultation with a Cat Behaviourist. They will determine the underlying problem. Once correctly identified the problem can be quickly addressed.
CAT SPRAYING & URINATION MARKING ISSUES:
This is when a cat urinates standing up, with a raised quivering tail usually marking up against a vertical surface. Cats can use urine to mark. When they do this they spray urine. But marking is not the only reason why cats spray. It's not even high on the list in companion felines.... but it's on there. Spraying is unlikely to be a litter box problem. It is more likely to be an indirect communication of stress / anxiety issue. This problem had diverse motivations. Each cat's motivation is different and the list is long.... Common culprits include; multiple cats in the household, stress in the household, change in the household, or conflict between household and neighbourhood cats. Less common ones include; leaves blowing on the trees, electricity, the goldfish! This gives you an idea of the vast array of motivations...
Urine marking is more common in male unneutered cats. Neutering can help to reduce or eliminate spraying behaviours in some cats. If you are experiencing a problem with cat spraying, first consider neutering or spaying your cat in consultation with your local vet.
A cat sprays, or urine marks, for a wide range of complex reasons. Enlist the help of a Cat Behaviourist who is trained and experienced in evaluating motivations and can help you rectify the underlying reasons. A Cat Behaviourist will be able to work out why your cat is spraying and how to stop this behaviour from reoccurring.
AGGRESSION BETWEEN CATS IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD:
Inter-cat aggression: aggression between cats in your household. Are two cats in your household behaving aggressively towards each other or fighting? Many reasons exist (and these might be multifaceted) why this behaviour occurs: predatory behaviour, play gone wrong, redirected aggression, resource guarding to control sleeping areas, toys and food, negative association, or to protect their perceived territory. Even a lack of socialisation with other cats, when they were young, might be a contributing factor. A Cat Behaviourist will be able to identify the motivating factors. No two cases are the same.
Don't make common mistakes such as letting your cats fight it out. They will not resolve their problems through fighting and the aggression is likely to worsen and become more habit-formed. Interrupt the aggression and separate the cats to prevent them from fighting. Then, enlist the help of a Cat Behaviourist for guidance. They will be able to design a strategic and staged plan of attack. A Cat Behaviour Specialist is well versed in Cat Psychology so can evaluate the problem and help you manage or resolve the conflict between your cats. The earlier you seek help from a professional Animal Behaviourist the easier you make it on yourself and your cats. But don't worry if it's been happening for a while. It's never too late to get help and a treatment plan developed for your cats.
CAT BITING & AGGRESSION TOWARDS OWNERS & OTHER PETS IN THE HOUSEHOLD
A cat may bite or display aggression towards people or its owner due to various reasons such as play, fear, predatory instincts, aversion to physical contact and petting, redirected aggression, or lack of early handling. First, prioritize the safety of individuals and other animals in the household by separating the offending cat. A Cat Behaviourist can help determine the cause of aggression and guide the implementation of behaviour modification techniques, allowing for a gradual reintroduction of the cat to the family. Like with inter-cat aggression, the sooner you consult a professional Animal Behaviourist, the higher the chances of swift successful treatment.
DESTRUCTIVE SCRATCHING IN CATS:
Cats love to scratch but it can cause damage to furniture, carpets and curtains. They might also scratch whilst stretching and playing, to sharpen their nails, to mark their territory. Instead of trying to stop your cat from scratching, try teaching them where they are allowed to scratch. Provide them with several suitable scratching posts. Place them in areas they like to scratch (even if this is less attractive to you) and encourage them to use their posts. Positive reinforcement-based training can be used. Experiment with different scratching textures and surfaces, and hang toys from the posts to encourage them to use them. Remember to clip your cat’s nails frequently also, to prevent them from having to perform their pedicure!
EXCESSIVE VOCALISING OR YOWLING IN CATS:
Cats use meowing and yowling as a means of communication with their owners. They can express themselves vocally for numerous reasons, including but not limited to; saying hello, a greeting, for attention, asking for food if hungry (or greedy!), asking to be let outside, when something is wrong. It's worth mentioning that certain cat breeds tend to be more vocal than others. If your cat's excessive vocalizing is a recent development, it's best to have them examined by a vet to rule out any underlying medical problems. To reduce your cat's excessive vocalization, you'll need to determine the underlying cause. Attempt to identify the vocalisation patterns and events, or consult with a Cat Behaviourist who can analyse your case in detail and provide a plan to address the excessive vocalisation and likely much more….
CATS WAKING UP THE HOUSEHOLD IN THE EARLY MORNING:
Being woken up in the early hours by their cat is especially challenging for owners who work full time. With some patience and time, you can train your cat to stop this behaviour if they are doing it because they're hungry and want food by addressing the need. Try setting your alarm clock a few minutes before your cat normally wakes you up. Once the alarm goes off, get up and give your cat a small amount of food. Repeat this daily, gradually setting your alarm a few minutes later every couple of days until you reach your desired wake-up time. Eventually, your cat will associate the alarm clock sound with mealtime instead of waking you up. If this sounds painstaking, we completely understand. Easier ways exist. A Cat Behaviourist will provide a sneaky and clever way to address this, customised to your cat and your needs.
DEMANDING BEHAVIOUR OR CATS BEING OVERLY NEEDY:
Is your cat overly demanding or needy for food, attention, play or something else? A Cat Behaviourist can help you work out a way to re-direct this behaviour in a way that pleases you and your cat. There is no need to be woken up at 5 am! Or, to act as a servant to your cat.
TERRITORIAL DISPUTES IN CATS:
Has your cat started to get bullied by a neighbourhood cat, or suddenly appears scared of other cats in the neighbourhood? This can severely decrease the mood state of your cat. They are likely to become anxious, depressed and aggressive as a result. A Cat Behaviourist can create a customized plan to help your cat feel better and address any stress / fear or unease they experience from other cats in the neighbourhood. You can make a major positive difference in your cat's life by getting help from a Cat Behaviourist.
CAT ANXIETY, FEARS & PHOBIAS:
Cats can suffer from anxiety, fears and phobias just the same as people can. This can be from a lack of socialisation as a kitten, a frightening experience, or from changes in their environment. Cats can fear new people, other cats, dogs and pets, noises, new situations, new places or unfamiliar items or environments. Resulting in their behaviour changing to cautious, timid, fearful, aggressive. They might bite, scratch, growl, hiss, run away, hide, etc. What is required is strategic help for your individual cat and situation from a Cat Behaviourist who puts a treatment plan in place to address their fear and anxiety.
LACK OF MENTAL STIMULATION IN INDOOR CATS:
A common problem faced by indoor cats is the lack of mental stimulation. The absence of mental stimulation may go unnoticed but can result in a multitude of behavioural problems. Rest assured; your Cat Behaviourist will create a tailored plan to keep your cat adequately stimulated. Don't underestimate the difficulty of this seemingly easy task! Without understanding your cat's motivations and how to improve their mood state, any attempts you deploy may be ineffective. A Cat Behaviourist is trained to understand what makes your cat tick and to create inventive solutions. Each plan is unique, just like each cat.
Our Cat Behaviourist says ‘It saddens me that most indoor cats deal with an unnecessary amount of boredom. If cat owners knew how to address this, their cats would live happier and more contented lives.’
COMPULSIVE CAT BEHAVIOURS:
Cats can suffer from compulsive behaviours. These behaviours can be considered normal for cats, but they can become excessive or happen in unusual situations. Examples of these behaviours include excessive grooming, chewing on fabrics or objects, and cats biting themselves excessively. Compulsive behaviours may stem from anxiety disorders, chronic low mood, chronic stress, or from living in a stressful household. It is imperative to tackle compulsive behaviour as it signifies a significant underlying issue. If your cat exhibits unwanted compulsive behaviour, consult an Animal Behaviourist to identify its likely cause. They can create a behaviour modification plan that will provide immediate relief for your cat. This is crucial for your cat's mental well-being.
ARE YOU EXPERIENCING ANY OF THESE COMMON PROBLEM CAT BEHAVIOURS?
If you're facing any of these behavioural problems with your cat (or any others!), the best advice is to consult a Cat Behaviourist promptly. Getting help sooner makes solving the problem easier. Having said that, if you have a long-standing problem behaviour with your cat, a Cat Behaviourist can still assist you. Turn that frown upside down!
A Cat Behaviourist plays the role of a detective, uncovering the driving motivations behind your cat's behaviour. Once the motivations are ascertained, a Cat Behaviourist devises a strategy to eliminate them and introduce suitable substitute behaviours that leave your cat feeling better than ever!
Most people who reach out to us about their cat's problem behaviour often say, "I've tried everything, but I can't get my cat to stop...’’ Ironically, their final attempt is seeking assistance from a Cat Behaviourist. It's the first thing they could have tried! If they had done so, the issue would have been resolved quickly, saving them time and frustration. The problem behaviour wouldn’t have become a habit formed or worsened over time. Now, they have more work to do to resolve the issue, once they have gained the correct advice from a Cat Behaviourist.
HOW CAN WE HELP YOU?
At Animal Behaviour Australia we are committed to rectifying the cause of your cat’s behaviour problem, giving you a problem-free cat. Simply treating symptoms won't fix the root cause or address the motivating factors causing your cat's unwanted behaviours. To address BOTH the cause and symptoms, we recommend booking a Behaviour Consultation for your cat with our Cat Behaviour Specialist. We will develop a targeted treatment plan tailored to your cat and your particular circumstances. Each plan is unique, just like each cat and you. A Behaviour Consultation is less costly than you might expect. Don't wait, seek help for your cat. BOOK NOW!!
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