Cat Problems and How to Interpret Them

A big part of teaching your cat to be a good roommate is understanding how their brains are wired. Cats, are solitary hunters, taught to take care of themselves. They don't have an investment in earning your approval and keeping you happy all of the time. This is why a loud "no" and a shaking finger usually won't keep the cat off your computer keyboard or off of your furniture. But don't lose patience. You can teach your cat to be a pleasant roommate. The key lies in understanding that she's generally going to behave in the way that's in her own best interest. You could call most cats all day, for example, without getting the slightest reaction, but when the can opener sounds or the bag of food rustles, they're at your feet in a split second. You can use this same philosophy to teach Gracie good kitty behavior by showing her what's in it for her.

One of the most annoying problems with cats is scratching. Scratching is your cat's way of leaving their mark, of telling any visitors that they are the ruler of their kingdom. Most of my cats have a problem of scratching in the litter box when they are done with their business. You're most likely not going to get your cat to stop scratching completely. You can get her to scratch the right things, like a scratching post. When she scratches the post, give her exactly what she craves. If it's attention, give her lots of love and praise. If you catch her scratching something else, don't yell or threaten her. Violent reactions will only scare most cats, and it will make some defensive and aggressive. Instead, distract her by making a hissing sound or clapping your hands. Then put the nicer-smelling, more attractive scratching post next to her and scratch it a little with your fingertips to give her the right idea.

There's nothing quite like being greeted with a mangled bird on your doorstep when you go to get the paper in the morning. What is it with cats and killing? Are they trying to impress you? Not at all, says Dr. Wayne Hunthausen of the Westwood Animal Hospital in Westwood, Kansas. "What you're seeing is predatory behavior," explains Hunthausen. "Cats will show partial segments of predatory behavior that occur out of context. Normally a cat would go out and hunt, bringing food back for the kittens. You're seeing just a part of that behavior." After she acts out her natural instincts, your cat goes back to being tame Gracie in her domesticated lifestyle. So don't worry, according to Hunthausen. "The cat isn't thinking she's bringing you food to make you happy." A relief, since Wheaties, not a mangled bird or mouse, is more likely to be your breakfast of champions.

Cats can also be peculiar about their drinking habits. Some will drink only from a certain dish, some cats insist upon running water, and some will only drink by dipping a paw into water and then licking it off. Drinking preferences,like their preferences for being wet, are set when they are kittens. Cats can be very sensitive to the size and shape of a drinking container, and some will only drink cool, running water (hence the attraction to the toilet bowl or a slow drip from the faucet). Whatever Gracie's preferences, you need to ensure that she gets enough water, especially if she eats dry food.

In the text above, I have described three of the more common and comical
Cat Problems, and how we, as the cat's owner, can interpret them. Remember to be patient with your kitty. She is only doing what comes natural to her.