All cat owners know that when welcoming an animal into your home, it becomes part of your family. Daily coexistence makes you love your pet more every day, but all animals have habits that can be unpleasant for humans. Cats are no exception, throughout their lives they can develop annoying practices.
Here are the 5 most common bad habits in cats and how to detect and correct them in time.
- Scratching furniture
- Hyperactivity
- Aggressiveness
- Not using their litter box
- Asking for food while you eat
Scratching furniture
Part of your cat’s instinct is to want to sharpen his nails, and one of the materials that will most attract him to do so is wood. In addition, scratching is also a way they use to release stress and mark territory.
The bad news is that in most homes there is wooden furniture or floors, that’s why it can become a major inconvenience. The best solution is to purchase a scratching post for your cat, try to make it as close to the object that your cat was scratching.
When you make this transition we recommend covering your furniture, so your pet does not have access to it and forces itself to use its scratching post. Also, placing the scratching post near the furniture your cat was scratching will make this transition easy for them.
While this is a great solution, there are many others that could be helpful. Learn more at:
https://sepicat.com/how-to-stop-cats-from-scratching-furniture/
Hyperactivity
In general, cats are very calm animals, but some of them can show extreme energy behaviors that are difficult to control. Running around, abruptly climbing furniture, and chasing random things can all be signs of hyperactivity.
This can be simply their personality. Some cats are more active than others and probably need attention. You must stimulate them more frequently and perform more energetic activities with them. You can buy them more entertaining toys, adopt a new member to play with, and spray feline pheromones around to help relax your little friend.
Learn more tips to control your kitten’s hyperactivity at:
https://www.petmd.com/cat/behavior/5-ways-calm-down-crazy-cat
Aggressiveness
One of the most difficult problems in cats is aggressive behaviors. In order to control them, you must first understand where the aggressiveness comes from and what causes it. Most of the time it is because they were not treated with affection in their first months of life, so they often react with fear. You can help him by establishing a routine, so they get used to your home and could be more relaxed.
Another reason may be that they are sick or something hurts, and having no other way to communicate they react aggressively. To solve this, it is necessary to visit the vet to examine your pet. In any sign of aggressive behavior, It is recommended the owner take the cat to a separate room or place, and in no way reward your cat with caresses or prizes.
Not using their litter box
If you are having trouble getting your cat to make proper use of the litter box, the problem could be with the litter you are using. Identifying the right litter for your cat can avoid uncomfortable moments with your pet and at the same time will bring it great well-being, since cleaning and caring for their personal spaces is very important for cats.
We recommend using our sand selector, where you can find out what type of sand is the best for your home according to the characteristics of your pet and your daily needs:
https://sepicat.com/cat-litter-selector/
Asking for food while you eat
First, it is not recommended for your pet to eat the same food as you, as it could contain ingredients that are harmful to its health. Still, because of the hunting instincts of cats, they may still try to steal food from the table. To avoid this, it would be best if the cat is not present during family meals. Remove the cat from the room to avoid the anxiety about having food nearby, place the food bowl near to focus the attention on the cat’s food.
Remember, if you have problems coping with any of these bad behaviors, it is very likely that the cause is your lack of experience with cats. You will find the best help and advice in a veterinarian. We recommend contacting a behavioral veterinarian, they can give you specific advice to educate your little friend.