There Are No Bad Cats! (Behavior Problems and How to Solve Them)

A cat is a cat, is a cat.  They are what they are.  Believe it or not, there are no 'bad' cats. Cats are just unique, that's all. They live in a cat world and do what cats do, no matter what you try to say or do to convince them to adjust to your world. The most important thing for you as a cat parent is to understand why your cat does what it does. Cats do not go to obedience school. If they had their way, you as a pet parent would go to obedience school to learn how to deal with your pet!

A cat is not a dog; a cat does not act like a dog, think like a dog or behave like a dog. If you want a pet that behaves as a dog, get a dog not a cat. That said, let's get to the point of understanding cat behavior. Punishing a cat for wrong behavior is like trying to empty the ocean one-cup at a time. Try as you may, you will never empty the ocean or get your cat to understand why you are punishing him/her.  Punishment will never cure bad behavior; it will only make your cat frightened and leery of you. Cats are smart enough to know that once punished for a misdeed they will not do it again... in front of you (wink). They will wait until your back is turned or you are out the door. Though you may believe your cat understands what you are saying (or yelling about), it will pay you no heed except to run away, ignore you or wait to do it again later.

A perfect example is our male cat Smokey, he dislikes our female cat Tiger.  Every chance he gets he will chase her.  This is what he does. However, if he starts out to chase her and then sees me he stops, looks at me and then will turn away as if he was just out taking a walk. He knows I will say "No" quite loudly and scold him. Of course, it doesn't do any good to scold him, but it makes me feel better.

There are several good reasons why your cat does what it does to annoy you. First of all, cats really don't have a good grasp of the English language (believe it or not).  They are not furry little people. However, they do understand positive and negative responses to their actions. Cats love praise, pets and treats, and this is our secret weapon. Screaming, yelling, spanking or throwing (heaven forbid) will only traumatize your cat and make it fearful of you.  Stop for a moment and think about the life your cat is leading (okay, you wish you could lead that life) take into consideration its day. You are at work all day and may get home late and tired. Your fur ball has been sleeping all day and wants to play.  You want to sit, eat and watch TV. You give your cat a few pets and, while you are doing that, he/she gives you a little nip on your hand. You react by jumping up and possibly yelling and chasing him/her. Hey, this is fun!  Your cat got your attention and you are "playing." We humans sometimes reward our cats for their bad behavior by giving them the attention they want.

Cats need to scratch and stretch their claws. It is a natural thing to do and it feels good. It is up to you (as the pet parent) to provide scratching material, whether it is the couch or a scratching post, it is immaterial to the cat. Cats learn by experience, if they do something and it turns out to be a good experience in their eyes, they will do it again, a bad experience may eliminate the behavior, or they just might try it again to see if something good happens.  One important thing to remember is that if your cat suddenly starts doing things that he/she never attempted before, and the behavior is not to your liking, observe the current situation in your household. Have there been sudden and unusual changes in the household routine, new furniture, new people or a new pet? Has there been a change in your cat's bathroom routine; is kitty eating, do you notice any changes in your cat's grooming habits?

It does not take much to disturb the serenity of a cat's world, as cats like routine and changes can cause reactions, which are not always to their liking. Also, consider medical problems, your cat may not feeling well and this too can cause behavioral problems. Since cats cannot talk they may misbehave in order to show their concern or displeasure to the changes that have occurred.

Here are a few thoughts to keep in mind while you are trying to reform kitty:

First of all, stop all reprimands and punishment-- they seldom do any good anyway. Make life with your cat fun and rewarding. Create an environment for yourself and your cat that satisfies you both. Remember, a cat does not read minds and has little knowledge of English (or any other human language).  Help your cat understand what you want it to do by making the "yes" experiences rewarding and finding ways to eliminate most of the "no" experiences. We are going to list below some typical behavioral problems and possible solutions. It is important should you have any questions about your cat's behavior that you consult your vet to discuss it.

Aggressive behavior: Can be caused by fear, being disturbed when napping, injury or sickness, or being in a bad mood.  Solution: Should the cat nip or scratch you while petting, say "NO" and stop petting. Do not play rough with your cat as it does not know nice from not nice. Were you petting or scratching in a sensitive area of the cat's body? If your cat hisses or its ears are flattened back, leave the cat alone. Check for injury.

Begging: Can be caused by the cat being hungry or just wanting attention.  Solution: Feed the cat just before your sit down to eat or, if the begging is for attention, take a minute or two to pet and talk to your cat.  A little quality attention will go a long ways.

Constant meowing: Females that are not spayed will meow constantly while looking for a "fellow." Or your cat may need some quality time with you.  Remember, just a few minutes of undivided attention will do wonders. Another thought is that your cat may be ill or hurt.  Solution: Spay or neuter your cat (you really should anyway) and give your cat some quality time.  Cats need to know that they are loved, just like food and water.  And remember - your cat may be sick or hurt, especially if the crying occurs when kitty is trying to go to the bathroom. If so, take a quick trip to the vet or call for advice.

Jumping on the counters and/or furniture: Cats love high places and cats are generally nosey.  Exploring is just part of a cat's nature.  Solution: When it comes to the counters, stove and the dining table in our house, a consistent "NO", and placing the cat on the floor, worked fine. It took several tries at this, but it worked. Another solution is to put double sticky tape on the counter for a day or two.  The cat will walk on it and get stuck, not have a good experience and will stop (as it is no fun). Also, keep food and other attractive smells off the counter or table. Things that make noise and may fall off the counter also work, as it will scare the cat. Cats do not like to be scared.  If your cat is getting on the furniture and you do not want that, provide a comfortable nesting place high up if possible. There are window seats that you can fasten to a window sill. We have a small bed on top of a section of our entertainment center where our female can escape.  If you have a particular piece of furniture you do not want the cat on, put foil, plastic or some inexpensive netting that you can buy at a fabric store over it when you are not at home. Cats do not like the feel of that and will stay off it and will soon ignore it. There are also things called "scat mats" which can be purchased on the Internet or at major pet stores.

Fighting with other cats: Cats are inclined to protect their habitat, they might be looking to mate, and some cats just want to show who is boss.  Solution: First of all, spay or neuter your cat, as they make much better pets and are less inclined to fight. Never break up a cat fight with your hands. Use a hose to spray them, throw a towel on them or make a loud noise to scare them. If your resident cats are having a dispute, separate them by putting them into separate rooms for a while. Usually, they will simmer down and become tolerant of each other again.  In our household, a sharp "No" works for a while with our male and female. Be certain to give each one plenty of affection, out of sight of each other. Some cats are like people and they just don't like each other no matter what you try to do.

Spraying: A cat operates on smell, and spraying is a natural way to mark its territory. Also, a cat will spray if it feels threatened, stressed or anxious.  Solution: Spay or neuter your pet to decrease the need to be overly territorial. Give your pet a lot of attention, as it may feel stressed and/or unloved.  Provide a safe haven (preferably high up, off the ground) if your pet feels threatened by another household pet.  If your cat is spraying near or on a window, your pet may be marking its territory because of an outside cat. Keep curtains or drapes closed.  Do not punish your cat for spraying as it may increase his/her anxiety. Using a citrus-based cleaner will remove the scent and keep kitty (hopefully) from doing it again. We have found that the male cats usually do spraying, we have not seen our females do it, though they might! Interestingly, when our one male cat sprayed, there was no odor after we had him neutered. However, the spraying left an oily substance that had to be cleaned up.

Scratching and tearing furniture: Scratching is a natural instinct of a cat. Boredom or a lack of a scratching post can cause the problem.  Solution: Scratching is part of a cat's life.  It provides exercise, an opportunity to stretch, relieves stress and allows them to shed their claws. If your cat is a house cat and does not have the opportunity to find a tree or post to scratch, it is up to you (the pet parent) to provide one. Cats are not overly particular about what they scratch, as long as it fulfills its criteria.  Couches and stereo speakers fit the bill quite nicely. Providing a good scratching post (actually several are better) is a great alternative to your couch. You can make your own with a little effort, or buy one at your favorite pet store. A good scratching post should be at least 2 1/2 to 3 feet tall, be sturdy enough so it won't fall over and scare the cat, and be covered with either hemp rope or the reverse side of some leftover carpet.  Do not use the right side of the carpet for a post; use the backside as it provides the proper grabbing material. Actually, you can make a post that lies on the floor, as long as it is long enough for the cat to stretch out on. There are some inexpensive ones made of cardboard that have a catnip scent that cats enjoy.  Those actually work really well!  When teaching your cat to use the post, it is always a good idea to rub some catnip on it to attract the kitty. Whenever you see your cat using its post, praise the cat and give it a small treat, this conditions the cat into thinking this is a great thing for it to do. If your cat is scratching the furniture, punishing will not help the matter. Remember that a cat knows better than to do something it has been reprimanded for in front of you.

Do cats have a secret language?

Most of us are familiar with the variety of sounds that cats can make, including meows, hissing, growls and purrs. A meow can mean anything from "I want food" to "will you play with me?" to "hello there". Some cats, such as Siamese cats, are much more vocal than others. No one knows exactly how the purring sound is made, but it usually indicates contentment. Hissing and growling usually mean the cat feels threatened or unhappy about something. Cats, especially very young ones, might make these sounds when playing too.

Cats rarely meow when communicating amongst themselves. They use a combination of body language, tail movement, scent and eye contact. When communicating with humans, cats differ their sounds by rhythm, intensity, pitch, tone and volume, so we can take a reasonable guess at what they are trying to say.

However, cats will sometimes use sounds when communicating with one another too. If a kitten wanders off, the mother cat might meow loudly and clearly to call her offspring back to safety. A cat might hiss or growl if another cat or intrudes on its territory. A cat enjoying some prey it has hunted will also use these sounds to warn off another cat coming too close.

Feline Sense of Smell and Communication

A cat's sense of smell is highly acute and highly developed, since they are natural hunters and scavengers. It is used in several ways to facilitate communication. Two cats living together will sniff each other several times a day.  That's normal. This tells the cats where the other has been, what they have been doing, what they have recently eaten and whether they came into contact with another animal. Cats detect pheromones left by other cats, usually when marking territory. If a cat could talk, it might ask these things verbally, but a few sniffs tell them everything they need to know.

Cats living together often groom one another. This provides social interaction, removes parasites and keeps the fur clean. A mother cat recognises the scent of her own kittens and grooms them often to provide comfort, keep them clean and encourage bowel movements.

Feline 'Language' and Hierarchy

Hierarchy amongst cats is determined by the outcomes of social interactions between the cats. Some factors determining hierarchy include gender, the environment, reproductive status, age, size, aggressiveness and submissiveness.

Hierarchy between cats is different to hierarchy between dogs. Dogs are pack animals and exhibit dominant actions, such as growls, stares or body checks. Cats, on the other hand, don't live or hunt in packs. If two or more cats live together, the hierarchy might be present but humans may not recognise the subtle dominance signals and the secret language of cats is used to decide hierarchy. One sure-fire way to upset a hierarchy is to introduce a new cat. The newcomer's status is unclear, so the other cats will use their secret communication to sort the situation out.

Feline Communication and Territory

Cats are territorial animals. Their territory is usually a combination of places they share with other cats and other places they consider theirs and theirs alone. A cat marks its territory by urinating, scratching or rubbing its body on an object. Other cats can see (and smell) these marks as clearly as signposts, telling them which other cat's territory they are in. Cats can detect pheromones in urine or from a place where another cat has rubbed itself.  With so many ways of determining territory, hierarchy and much more, cats hardly need words!

CATS - Choosing, Caring and Training.

CATS - Basically, it's everything that you need to know about them!

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8 week-old tuxedo kitten rescued from dump. The Aristocats!

'...he took a second look, and this time he discerned a kitten struggling against all odds to live. I have been told by sincere and respectable animal welfare advocates that there are some fates worse than death. In my 30 years of animal welfare work I have yet to meet a healthy animal willing to subscribe to that doctrine, and could she speak, I suspect WM would have articulated her preference for life in that moment much better than I. But she couldn't speak or even cry for help. However, she could move - and so she moved this man to compassion.'

Read the full story here.  (new window)

Over 2,700 Thanksgiving meals are delivered to homeless animals in Texas

The 'Thanksgiving meals' were provided by a support group (Austin Pets Alive!), a clinic, and a pet food manufacturer. Yes, that includes dogs, but the cats are busy sleeping off their turkey and are willing to share this Caturday.

The meals were provided by Nulo, an Austin-based natural pet food company. Each animal's Thanksgiving dinner included Nulo's turkey and sweet potato recipe for dogs, turkey recipe for cats, and cranberry and chicken treats.

“Most people get to take a break for the holidays but our dogs and cats are still here," Sarah Weinstein, Public Relations Manager of Austin Pets Alive! said. "We are thankful that Nulo is helping us during the Thanksgiving holiday so we can have a little extra something for our pets to be thankful for while they're waiting to find their forever homes."

This veteran deserves a salute on Caturday

At a time when most of us are still digesting the turkey and thinking about pumpkin pie, one man is concerned with a less traditional meal: Feeding the feral cats in his local town.

'He had dumped about a week's worth of cat food on the ground just behind Memorial Hall, and three very appreciative cats were gobbling up the great feast.'

Read the full story here.  (new window)

Make your cat happy for Caturday

A safe cat is a happy cat, and a content cat will put a smile on your face when you come home at the end of the day. Learn how to keep your kitty safe and happy with our care and behavior tips. You can also learn about adoption, how to help feral cats, and why felines are better off with their claws.

Get the facts and get advice from The Human Society. (new window)

Mark Anderson Plays Copland & Gershwin for your dog (and maybe your cat too!)

Canine Lullabies Combo CD Vol. 2 is just as amazing as Vol. 1, only now it includes all 18 songs from the Musical Therapy Combo CD: London Bridge, Rock-A-Bye Baby, Are You Sleeping?, Lullaby and Good Night, Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star, Row, Row, Row Your Boat, Mary Had a Little Lamb, Hush Little Baby, and Old McDonald (Had a Farm), This Ole Man, Ten Little Indians, Skip To My Lou, My Bonnie (Lies Over The Ocean), The Farmer In The Dell, Yankee Doodle, Baa Baa Black Sheep, Sing A Song of Sixpence and Three Blind Mice.

Now your pet will have 1 whole hour to enjoy this soothing, calming anti-anxiety music. Numerous studies have proven that for pets experiencing separation anxiety - whining, chewing, barking, etc.- this CD can have amazing results. It can stop or decrease barking, console whimpering puppies, comfort sick or hurt dogs, and settle hyperactivity. Just a few testimonies from kennel workers confirm the miraculous effects of this music does to animals:

"Even some of my regular hyper dogs went to sleep and were quiet for hours." ~ Sandi - Country Pet Inn, Sheridan, WY

"Amazing results! One pet had separation anxiety, whining, chewing, etc. Within two minutes he was laying peacefully." ~ Mike - Ebony Kennel, Plymouth, NH

"I believe the music has a soothing effect on both the cats and the dogs." ~Angela - South Paw Bed & Bath, Smythville, TN

Playing the Canine Lullabies Combo CD Vol 2 at a low volume, is GUARANTEED to help calm your prescious pet! Push the repeat button on your CD player and let it play all day to reduce separation anxiety when your pet is home alone. The actual human heartbeat is the rhythm of the same 18 classic lullabies/nursery songs on the Musical Therapy Combo CD. Plays 58 minutes.

Cats like it too!


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Man killed rescuing kittens. No, really. That's the headline. :(

Man dies rescuing kittens

WHITE OAK - An eastern Colbert County resident trying to retrieve two stray kittens he thought he accidentally struck moments earlier was killed Tuesday night when he was hit by a passing motorist on Cottontown Lane.  Michael Arndt, 55, was pronounced dead at the scene about 7:30 p.m. by Colbert County Coroner Carlton Utley, who said Arndt likely died from injuries to his spine and head. The accident occurred at 6:40 p.m., authorities said.  The scene is about 1.5 miles from County Line Road in the White Oak community.

Arndt was carrying two kittens in his hands and heading back to his vehicle when an approaching vehicle left the roadway in an attempt to avoid Arndt's vehicle, which was parked alongside Cottontown Lane.  Friends and neighbors, many overcome by emotion, comforted each other with hugs as they raced to the area as news of the accident quickly spread. They later stood quietly and watched state troopers process the scene.

“We were real close,” said his older brother, Bob, a Moulton police officer. “Mike loved to hunt and fish, and I was going see if he wanted to go hunting on Thanksgiving Day.”  He paused briefly and did not finish his thought.

Family members said Arndt and his wife, Connie, were heading to the Quad Cities area for dinner and to buy groceries for a family meal Thanksgiving Day. They live about a mile east of the scene at 3370 Cottontown Lane. Arndt, heading west on Cottontown Lane, thought he had run over two cats, so he stopped his vehicle, turned around and headed back to the spot, according to his brother. Authorities said he pulled across the narrow, two-lane road, and when he stopped his vehicle, it was facing east in the westbound lane.

Arndt left his Suzuki sports utility vehicle and walked down an incline to the kittens. He was walking back toward the roadway when a vehicle topped a hill.  Emergency workers at the scene said the driver of a Toyota Corolla swerved to miss the Arndts' vehicle and left the roadway, striking Michael Arndt, who was three or four feet from the road.  The Toyota, which was carrying a family of three, including the couple's teenage daughter, traveled about 500 feet along the inclined ditch, crashed through a fence and came to rest in an area overgrown with weeds.

The mother and daughter in the other vehicle were taken to Helen Keller Hospital in Sheffield for treatment of minor injuries, authorities said.

“That's just like him,” Bob Arndt said when finding out his brother had returned to check on the kittens. “He loved animals. There's no telling how many stray animals he picked up and gave homes to through the years. He kept dogs and cats all over his backyard. He just hated to see something bad happen to an animal.” He described his brother as a “very kind-hearted and generous man. He went out of his way to help people and he loved to tell a joke.”

“At Christmas, he would dress up as Santa Claus and go to hospitals and nursing homes in the area to visit people who were going to be alone,” Bob Arndt said. “He would buy a bunch of stuffed animals and give them to the kids and to those people in the nursing homes. He was just a great guy.”

Bed Head TIGI Catwalk Curls Rock Curl Amplifier - 4 oz.

Curl Amplifier.  It's gonna rock your curls!  (hint:  it's not for cats - tee, hee, hee)

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Pet Pals: New Leash on Life

'Pet Pals: New Leash on Life' continues Legacy's tradition of creating award-winning educational games that are designed for aspiring vets of all ages. Players can take part in each animal's story and control their fate, providing rich and realistic gameplay. There are more than 30 animal cases, created by practicing veterinarians from around the world, showcasing 15+ different breeds of dogs, cats, rabbits and birds - as well as exotic animals like iguanas and chinchillas!

Players will encounter emergency situations with audio and visual feedback, with a daily task system and weekly game-time that is new to Pet Pals.  Case difficulty and number of tasks required to complete a day's work will increase as the game progresses, with a robust reward system including trophies.  Little details like answering machine messages, staff interactions, animal care tasks (that include grooming, caretaking and feeding),  and fellow rescue-workers give the player further information on the animals.  Adoptive owners even  call to give feedback on their new pets!  That's part of the new 'enrichment' portion of the game, where the player ensures that the animal is adoptable and finds the perfect family. Bonus minigames and trivia quiz too!

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Feline Pine Original Cat Litter (20-Pound Bag)

Destroys odors - biodegradable, chemical free and organic.

Four week supply. Pine pellet cat litter. (Compressed Pine Pellets for the litter box)

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Zymox Otic Pet Ear Treatment with Hydrocortisone

ZYMOX Otic is used in dogs and cats for the treatment of acute and chronic inflammation of the external ear caused by bacterial, viral and yeast infections. Treat once a day for 7 days for acute infection and once a day for 14 days for chronic infection. Do not use in conjunction with other topical ear medications or cleaners.

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Innova EVO Turkey and Chicken Formula Dry Cat Food

Innova EVO Turkey and Chicken Formula dry dat food was created to supply the key nutritional benefits of a raw food diet in a safe and convenient manner. EVO can be fed exclusively as a total diet for your pet or in combination with a raw diet to provide a solid nutritional base of the important vitamins and minerals your feline might otherwise be missing.

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Nordic Naturals for Pets, Omega-3 Formula Soft Gels (180 ea)

For Optimal Pet Health!  3rd Party Tested Purity that you can trust.

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Broadway - The American Musical (PBS Series)

CD set that goes with PBS series. Includes original cast recordings from many important muscials... and 'Cats' is in there somewhere!

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Cat Sitter Vol. III

1,000,000 cats can't be wrong! They loved the creatures in Cat Sitter Vol. 1. They craved the symphony of song birds in Cat Sitter Vol. II.  Now Cat Sitter Vol. III completes the trilogy! 14 fresh-water tropical fish tanks, combined with our new "digital catnip" animated characters fill the screen with over an hour of continuous loop cat entertainment. Thousands of bubbles combined with the sounds of nature in 5.1 Surround Sound will mezmerize your curious feline friends.

Don't leave your kits alone, without some entertainment.

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Black & Decker HV9010P Retriever Pet-Series Cyclonic-Action Corded Dustbuster and Blower

Cyclonic-Action Pet Vac (Corded Hand Vac), designed for pet hair clean-up.  Got a long-haired cat, or multiple cats?  Then this product will help you out a lot when you're trying to keep things tidy around the house.  Its rubber bristles generate an electrostatic charge for better hair pick-up.

It's got lots of other good features too that make it purrrfect for cat lovers!

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Cloud Star Buddy Rinse, 19 Ounce

19 Fluid Ounces of the best pet conditioner ever.  Soften, detangle and condition your pet's fur with this recommended product.  Afterall, it's the only 'suit' they have.  They deserve to have it cleaned well, and they'll love you for it!

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Feline Pine Original Cat Litter, 40-Pound Bags

Feline Pine is the #1 natural alternative to clay litter. With no odor, no dust and no tracking, you'll only wish you had found it sooner! How does it work? Read on!

Feline Pine defines the word "simplicity." Liquid waste is COMPLETELY absorbed, at which time the strong ammonia odor is naturally neutralized. As the odorless pellets dry, they break down into sawdust and settle to the bottom of the litter box, leaving fresh pine pellets on top! Simply scoop and flush solids daily and both you and your furry friend will happy with the results.

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Angels' Eyes Tear-Stain Eliminator for Dogs and Cats (Chicken Flavor)

Hey, I thought this was a blog about cats!  Well a lot of cat owners have dogs too and Angels' Eyes is the first product specifically developed for both dogs and cats to eliminate unsightly tearstains from the inside out. Angels' Eyes also helps to eliminate staining around the mouth and their coats due to licking. Other products are topical (requiring high maintenance) and yet will only remove the tear stains temporarily, causing it to return worse than before.

Angels' Eyes starts working before the tear stains begin and never adds food dyes or wheat, which can have negative effects on your pet. Just sprinkle Angels' Eyes daily on regular food. After 3 months, reduce it to 4 times a week. After 6 months, reduce it further to twice a week. As you keep trimming the stained areas, the newly grown coat will be totally clear. The growth pattern of your pet's coat will determine if it will be completely tear stain free anywhere from 3 to 5 weeks.


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Ragdoll Cat Secrets - Pet Owners Guide

Unique, expert advice on the care and training of Ragdoll cats.

Check it out!  (new window)

Purrrfectly Trained Cat

'There's more than one way to train a cat.'  Do you believe it?  Well, there actually are a variety of methods for cat-training.  Believe it or not, it can be done!
Check out this method.  (new window)

How To Make Your Cat Adore You

It goes without saying that any cat will generally be your buddy (at least to some extent) if you can figure out how to work a can opener.  But... there's a whole lot more to cat psychology than that!

Take a look for yourself!