Cats are a mystery, sometimes even to feline lovers. The most common behaviour you may have noticed with cats is that they love to purr, rub, cling, and cuddle. But, there’s a lot more to them that meets the eye. Your cat’s behaviour may not always be agreeable and that is when you should start worrying.
Let’s have a look at some of the signs that indicate everything is not hunky dory with your kitty soft paws.
1. Over Aggressive
Aggression is a potential threat, especially if your cat starts biting or clawing at your family members, visitors or other pets in the house. Check how your cat’s body language changes when she gets aggressive. If she starts hissing or scratching or trying to attack you, it is possible that something is bothering or frightening her. If you cannot find the reason, it’s time to consult a professional.
2. Meowing Turns to Howling
Cats love attention and meowing is one way to get it. But when it becomes incessant and louder than usual, it’s possible that they are in pain and need immediate medical attention. At such times, you need to schedule an appointment with your vet instead of wasting time trying to decipher the problem yourself.
3. Chewing, Scratching and Licking
When cats are bored or stressed, they start chewing on things out of irritation. This is because cats like exercise and mental stimulation and when they don’t get enough they channel their energies in to destructive activities. At such times, it’s important to keep all important things away from your kitty and instead give her toys particularly designed for chewing.
4. Litter Box Issues
If your cat’s urination or defecation behaviour is not normal or if they are using places other than their litter boxes, it is not necessarily to annoy you. It means that they are greatly stressed and need an urgent vet visit.
Seems odd but cats have their preferences of litter, litter boxes and the places where you keep them. Cats are attached to places rather than to humans and if their litter box has been shifted or if you’ve changed your house, it may cause anxiety and hence the change in behaviour.
5. Heat Cycle/Estrus
This is the time when your cat may seem overly affectionate, more vocal and excited to the point of getting hysterical. She may even lose appetite and it would be a test on your patience level to try and calm her down. Getting her spayed is the best option before she goes into another cycle or starts giving birth to unwanted litters.
6. Begging for Treats
Cats can be very persuasive when they want something badly and you may have a hard time refusing. However, it’s important to keep their weight in check and the best way to do that is to give them several small meals in a day rather than large ones every morning and evening. And for overweight cats, low calorie treats can work wonders.
7. Spraying or Marking Territory
The deposition of small amounts of urine on vertical surfaces is known as spraying. In most cases, the spraying cat would retreat into the area, twitch its tail, and urinate without crouching. Some cats will mark their territory by splattering small amounts of pee or excrement on horizontal surfaces, but this is a rare occurrence.
Cats leave their mark on the places they inhabit or visit in a variety of ways. They mark with their scent glands on the feet, cheeks, face, and tail, as well as urine. Marking can occur as a result of the presence of other cats in the area, whether outdoors or among cats living in the same household. When cats are frightened or stressed, they will also mark their territory.
So, like humans, cats too have behavioural issues that can’t be ignored. Next time, if your feline friend shows any behavioural changes, remember that all it requires is a little patience and understanding. Moreover, there are few tried-and-true cat behavior control products that can be used for various situations and conditions. These products can control and help manage behavioral issues in cats.
About Author:
Jesse is a pet blogger and she writes informational content for dog and cat parents. Through her blogs, she addresses the common health issues in pets and educates pet parents to take vital steps to take better care of their pets and prevent severe diseases. She is a parent to three dogs; apart from writing, she loves to travel and take photographs. Connect with her on Twitter.