Cat Behavior Problems

The key to preventing behavior problems is to identify and provide appropriate outlets for all of kitten’s needs. This is especially important for the indoor cat, since all of his play, predation, exploration, scratching, elimination, and social needs will need to be channeled into acceptable indoor options. The cat’s sexual motivation can be reduced by neutering or spaying.

Most of the outdoor cat’s physical activity would be focused on the hunt or on predatory and social play. Interactive play should therefore be designed as substitutes. To provide multiple predatory play sessions, use wands and movable toys, or small, light toys of plastic, fabric, feathers, or fleece that can be batted, chased, and retrieved.

Feedings can be broken up and made more interactive by feeding multiple small meals, some of which can be given in foraging toys, stuffed into feeding toys, or hidden inside bags and boxes.

A kitten’s interest in exploration might be addressed by providing new toys that can be batted and chased, and new areas to explore, such as paper bags and cardboard boxes. Interest might be stimulated and maintained by hiding food treats or catnip in the toys, and providing exploration and climbing areas. A comfortable blanket or rug for napping, counters, shelves, or play centers for perching, posts for scratching, and a proper litter area for elimination will round out most of the cat’s needs.

One important rule of thumb is that each kitten is different. You must choose the types of play and toys that are most appealing to your cat and most appropriate for your household. In addition to social play session with owners, highly social and playful cats may also benefit from having a second social and playful cat in the home.

Preventing Fear in the New Kitten

Most kittens are …read more

Read more here: Cat Behavior Problems – Preventing Behavior Problems with the New Kitten