Cats are capable of being fascinating companions. The majority of the time they can be wonderful to have around, but there are some strange cat behavior problems that can irritate even the most enduring owner.

Missing The Litter Box

You know that there is something wrong when a cat or kitten has a problem when they being to urinate in places other than their kitty litter or the place in which they have been taught to go. The first step is to clean out the litter box on a regular basis so that it is nice smelling. No one likes an unclean toilet! This could possibly resolve the crisis. If not, take your cat to the vet for a once over. Your cat could have a physical problem that might be making it hard for them to make it to the box in time. After having your cat looked at by a veterinarian for possible physical problems which could have caused this strange cat behavior problems, there are other ways in which you can assist your cat back to toileting where it is supposed to.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder - Can Your Cat Have This Problem

Did you know that a few cats develop behaviors that are obsessive compulsive, like tail chewing, excessive licking, wool-sucking, or fur-pulling? Characteristic physical problems could be something as negligible as fleas or as major as neuropathy. So having your cat looked at by its vet is a smart first choice.

Excessive Fear Or Inhibition Results In A Scaredy Cat

There are a few cats that have an excessive fear or inhibition around people. If you show patience and love the cat can grow out of the timid state. But do not rush this process, as you can make it worse and it can result in a cat behavior that is violent and bites or scratches.

The majority of kittens are socialized as they grow up, by being held by a variety of different people who smell different and act different. If your kitten didn't get this advantage, it may grow into a reserved and nervous adult cat. Give it time to come out, then reward "showing up" with a food treat it likes. You will be able to coax it out with a trail of food leading to its bowl, moving the bowl a bit each day. Talk tenderly to it, letting it warm up slowly. While your cat may never be fully socialized and welcome contact with others, it can still be a nice family pet.

Anxious And Apprehensive Cats

You will find that there are a few cats that feel a lot of stress and anxiety. This stress can lead to additional cat behavior problems, like depression or litter box avoidance. If these symptoms (of stress and anxiety) become visible unexpectedly, first make sure the cat's heath is ok with the vet. If your cats health is ok, then you would want to look at the cat's environment could be contributing to the stress level.

Do you have a cat that sprays outside the litter box? If yes, then you have smelled the horrible odor and experienced frustration when attempting to get your cat to stop spraying. To resolve the problem, you must first figure out what is motivating your cat to spray.

Territorial marking is the number one reason why cats spray. Felines are compelled to let others of their kind know that they are around. They may also spray when they are looking for a mate. If you have another cat in your home that fights with the culprit kitty, the spraying may be done to show aggression. Cats hanging around outside of your house can also cause your cat to spray. A move to a new home, the arrival of a new child, or other upsets to the cat's daily routines can cause the behavior. A cat that is under any kind of stress such as living in a noisy household can also resort to spraying.

Generally, male cats are the prime cat spraying offenders. But, some females will also spray, especially if they are in heat. The unique smell of spray is due to chemicals in the **** glands that are expressed along with a small amount of urine.

If your cat has not been neutered or spayed, doing so is likely to solve the problem. But, some altered cats will still spray. For the best results, the surgery should be performed before the age of six months.

One thing that you should not try is punishing your cat. Kitties do not understand the relationship between behaviors and punishment, and the stress may cause your cat to spray even more.

Regular cleaning and scooping of the litter box is important as some cats will spray as a form of protest against poor litter box maintenance. Keep routines consistent including bed time, play time, and feeding. When your cat sprays, be sure to clean the area with enzyme cleaner so that no odor remains. Otherwise, the cat may return to the same spot to spray again.

After trying measures to curb cat spraying, take your cat to a veterinarian. Bladder infections and other health issues can lead to the behavior. Drugs for anxiety such as Prozac can also be prescribed, since your cat could be anxious even if you are not aware of it.

For fighting cats, put them in separate parts of your home if possible. Unfortunately, sometimes the best choice is to give the spraying cat to a new owner. Neither cat will be happy if they are constantly picking fights. Especially if no other cats live in the new home, the cat may stop the behavior.

Another option if the spraying appears to be over territory is to confine the cat to a small area of your house. The feline will not have as large of an area to defend, and may decide to stop spraying. At least the number of messes to clean should be lessened.

Cat behaviorists analyze cat behavior and develop plans to change unacceptable actions like spraying to more desirable behaviors like using the litter box. They can be successful in working with you and your cat to develop better behaviors.