NOTE: I am not a professional feline behaviorist or a veterinarian. I provide this information from my own research and experiences with my kitty, Bandit. Please consult your vet if you have questions or concerns about your cats behavior =^..^=

The key to understanding the feline species is to remember their lives center around their territory and they are creatures of habit. If you can remember these two facts, you can prevent many behavior problems from starting.

The most common way a problem usually begins is some change, threat, intrusion or challenge in what cats perceive as their territory.

From lions in the jungle to domesticated house cats, cats' lives revolve around what they consider "theirs." For instance, if an owner adds anything new to the household, the resident cat usually views the item as an invasion of his domain. Some very common situations that often affect a cat's behavior include:

1. A new person in the home (relationship, roommate, baby, overnight guest, or even a repair person in the home however briefly).

2. New animals in the home or an animal outside the home if it can be heard, seen, or smelled by your cat.

3. New furniture, carpets, drapes, or rearranged furniture in a room.

4. Changes in the owner's routine (vacation away, change in working schedule, or an overnight stay away).

5. Moving the litterbox or changing the brand of litter the cat is used to.

6. Noises (a baby's crying, children's high-pitched voices, loud machinery, loud music, or fireworks).

7. Construction or remodeling in or near the home.

8. The loss of a companion animal or loss of his owner.

9. Declawing: Cat claws are not options. Claws are vital to the physical and emotional well being of every cat...including indoor only pets. Declawing has been compared to amputation of a human's finger at the uppermost joint. The surgery causes muscle weakness and can affect the cat's sense of balance. The procedure also has the potential to cause many behavioral problems including litterbox problems, aggression, and personality change.

10. Moving: One of the most traumatic events for any cat is leaving the security of its established territory -- the more moves, the more traumas.

Every cat reacts to upsets in a very different way and even littermates handle stressful times with varying degrees of anxiety. How well a cat handles a new situation depends on his stress threshold and what kind of a coping mechanism the cat has.

Since cats cannot write a memo, they frequently "tell" us what is going on by the behavior they display.

The very first thing an owner should do when they notice a subtle or definite shift in their pet's behavior is to take their cat to the vet.

What owners often think is "misbehaving" is actually Tabby's way of saying, "Help, I'm sick." For example, if you notice a change in your cat's litterbox routine, frequent trips to the box, straining to eliminate, urinating or defecating out of the litterbox or even spraying on the furniture or walls, your cat my be exhibiting signs of a serious urinary tract infection, parasites, or some other illness.

Also cats can develop arthritis or an old injury may flare up which makes getting into the box very painful. (Many times litterbox avoidance is simply because the box is not clean enough for the cat or something about the litterbox prevents the cats from using it.)

Other signs of physical illness and emotional upset include loss of appetite, disinterest in grooming or playing, depression, acting aggressively, or appearing overly anxious.

Remember that cats can also become ill from stress; anything from one very stressful episode, to a buildup of stresses or living in a constant state of stress can affect a cat's health.

Once physical causes have been ruled out by your vet, then look for things within your own routine or the house which may have activated the problem.

Never compare your cat's reaction to any other cat and remember to give your cat lots of reassurance during an upheaval of any type.

Some cats may go into nervous collapse if you change your bedroom furniture around, while another may snooze through total renovation of your house! A cat
is not a "bad" cat if he should react adversely to change; he just has a harder time dealing with problems and needs extra hugs.

Cats are emotional sponges and they pick up on your every mood. If you are
upset or worried about something, the cat may behave the same way! There may be a new cat in the neighborhood who taunts your indoor cat by coming up to the window or sprays the front door when you are not home to reassure your cat. Your cat's bond with you may be threatened by the new relationship you have started or the new baby you are suddenly directing all your attention to. Remember, cats are very intelligent creatures and do things for a reason. It is up to you, the owner, to observe your cat and ascertain what set him off and then work toward resolving the upsetting situation.

Page maintained by Casey and Bandit.
Created: July 17, 1998 Updated: 6/15/99
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