Common Cat Behavior Problems and their solutions

Clawing Furniture

• Natural instinct to sharpen and keep claws sharp.

Solution

• Buy or make a scratching post and encourage your cat to use the post by spraying/rubbing catnip on it and/or by taking your cats arms and rubbing its claws on the post.
• Spay animal repellent on the areas the cat scratches on.
• Use a loud noise, such as handclap, when your cat scratches on the furniture. This will alarm the cat and make him/her stop. Next take the cat to his/her post and rub his/her claws along it.
• Squirt the cat with water when the animal scratches on something it is not supposed to.
• Placing double faced tape on the area being clawed will discourage the cat from scratching. You can remove the tape when the cat has learned to use the post.

Refusal to use litterbox

• Cat doesn’t like the type of litter.
• Many litters have strong deodorants which some cats don’t like.
• Many cats don’t like the green litter.
• Litterbox is not clean enough.
• Cat doesn’t like proximity of box.
• More than one cat uses litterbox.

Solution

• Try changing the brand of litter.
• Change the litterbox every other day; remove droppings daily.
• Keep litterbox away from food and water bowls, in an accessible area.
• Don’t move it around.
• You may need more than one litterbox if you have more than one cat.
• You may need to confine the cat in a small room until he or she uses the box.
• May indicate a health problem. Consult your veterinarian for a thorough exam.

Eating Houseplants

• Cats naturally like greens.

Solution

• Plant a special garden in a low, wide pot for your cat. You can grow catnip and plant birdseed. Supplies can be found in a pet store.
• Try a loud handclap or squirt water from squirt bottle when you catch your cat nibbling; then place your cat in his/her own garden.
• Try spraying the plants with animal repellant or perfume.

Spraying

• Occurs typically in male cats; some female cats.
• Natural instinct to mark territory.

Solution

• Have your male cat neutered; you will have the best results at curbing spraying if neutering is done at 7 months of age.
• There is a hormonal treatment available. Ask your veterinarian about this.
• Ask your veterinarian for other medical possibilities.