Best Pet Articles
Search

Analysis of Cat Behavior

Web Search

The most important thing to remember in analyzing the behavior of your cat is that your pet is not a human. Cats are not rational beings and their actions are not based on emotion. Changes in his behavior are not stemmed from any repressed anger with you; your cat is not trying to get revenge on you for being away from home too much or bringing a new baby into the house.

Negative changes in cat behavior are typically cause by stress or anxiety for the cat. It is easy to see why pet owners tend to conclude that the cat's feelings toward them are causing the behavioral differences; it is human nature to correlate two unrelated events. In reality, there is a missing link: your behavior may cause the cat physical anxiety, thus the cat's behavior alteration is based on physiological changes in his body.

One common complaint among cat owners is that their cat has suddenly chosen a new favorite place to deposit wastes instead of his litter box. This could be a result of a few factors.

First, it may be a medical problem. Cats are prone to urinary track infections that make it extremely painful to urinate. Cats then associate the pain of urination with the litter box, so they do not like to visit their designated urination station. If your cat has stopped using the litter box, your first step should be to take him to the vet and have a thorough check-up run on him. Cats also have natural preferences for certain textures and smells, so if you have recently changed the type of cat litter you use, the cat may be showing that he does not care for the new feeling or smell of his litter. In avoiding the litter box, the cat may have become attached to new textures and locations around your household, perhaps the soft living room rug or bedroom closet.

The best strategy is not to punish the cat; he will not understand. Rather, have a medical check up, switch litters, and continuously reintroduce the cat to his litter box. Reward him for using it, just like he was a kitten again.

To relieve any anxiety your cat may be feeling, carefully analyze any changes that have occurred in his life as of late. If a new baby or roommate comes into the house, your cat may feel threatened, so be sure to give him extra attention. If you suddenly have to spend more time away from home than normal, consider getting a second cat so that your cat does not spend his days alone. Although the cat is not having emotional reactions, his body feels different due to changes around him.

Be in tune with what may be causing your cat to feel anxious, analyze the situation, and do the loyal owner duty of relieving his stress.

Keith Kingston is a professional web publisher who offers advice on cat health, cat supplies, and cat names


MORE RESOURCES:

Pets of the Week
Salt Lake Tribune, United States - 9 hours ago
Visit the Utah Animal Adoption Center, 1955 N. Redwood Road, or consult the web at www.utahanimaladoptioncenter.org. For information, call 801-355-PETS.
Pets of the Week Salt Lake Tribune
all 3 news articles


Times Online

A promise to our pets, "They will never be left behind again"
Examiner.com - 4 hours ago
"We felt it was important to honor all the pets that suffered as well as all the volunteers who came and went without any recognition," says Jeff Dorson, ...
Video: Evacuation Preps Ahead of Hurricane Gustav AssociatedPress
250 dogs, cats to leave New Orleans before storm St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Hurricane threatens New Orleans, three years after Katrina AFP
Environment News Service - Melbourne Herald Sun
all 4,017 news articles


Various options exist when pets die
Calgary Herald,  Canada - 15 hours ago
What does a person do with a deceased pet? The first thought was to bury her in the backyard. I expect many Calgary backyards contain the remains of pet ...
Pet restrictions spark lively debate Vernon Morning Star
all 2 news articles


Remember Pets in Family Emergency Plans
MarketWatch - 18 hours ago
JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind., Aug 28, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Pets are often overlooked during disasters and emergencies, as seen during the recent ...


Bill to ban drivers from holding pets is in Gov's hands
The Salinas Californian, CA - 4 hours ago
The Assembly Thursday finished legislative work on Assembly Bill 2233 by Assemblyman Bill Maze, R-Visalia, that would prohibit motorists from holding pets ...


Where Do Pets Go while their Owners are Homeless?
WIBW, KS - 5 hours ago
A new, non-profit organization aims to ease the troubles of pets belonging to people who are temporarily homeless. Pets from the temporarily homeless will ...
Pets receive care in new program Topeka Capital Journal
Group opens door for Topekans struggling with pet ownership KTKA.com
all 3 news articles


Pets III Feature Package
MarketWatch - 18 hours ago
Aug 28, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- The following feature package is a roundup of feature stories dealing with pet issues and is appropriate for special ...


From 'Four-Bone' Hotels To Canine Cuisine, Philadelphia is the ...
MarketWatch - 18 hours ago
Pets and their human friends can dine alfresco at Intermezzo Cafe & Lounge, La Terrasse and, most appropriately, at the White Dog Cafe. ...
Dog festival to promote canine health, awareness Honolulu Advertiser
all 9 news articles


Calling Animal Lovers! SPCA of Texas, Dallas needs donations to ...
CaymanMama.com (press release), TX - 8 hours ago
The already overcrowded shelters in Dallas and McKinney have ceased the admission of owner-surrendered pets in order to accommodate the animals who will be ...
SPCA of Texas in Dallas, McKinney help animals fleeing Hurricane ... Dallas Morning News
all 4 news articles


Animal Shelter goes to the fair
San Jose Mercury News,  USA - 3 hours ago
6 and 7, is welcoming the shelter to share in presenting pets for adoption. This should be a lot of fun for animal lovers, especially for families on the ...
Shot and licensing clinic Quartzsite Times
all 2 news articles

Pets - Google News

home | site map | SubArticle
© 2008