General Cat Behavior

Sharing your life with a cat can be one of the most rewarding experiences you have. Cats are wonderful pets and great companions. In order to fully appreciate your cat, it is helpful to understand a few general behavioral characteristics.

Marking
You may see your cat rubbing his or her face on the corner of your coffee table or up against your leg. This behavior is known as marking. Cats have scent glands on the sides of their faces and other areas on their bodies. Rubbing on objects or on your legs lets other cats know your cat has claimed that territory or has laid claim to you!

Play
Cats love to play and stalk make-believe prey. They enjoy chasing mice, toys, balls, etc. If cats aren't stimulated with play, they may try to get your attention by excessively meowing or acting out in other ways. It's very important to play with your cats and keep them stimulated. The best cat toys are those that dance, jump, or move to look like they are alive. Cats can act out their predator role by pouncing on toys. Try to avoid using your fingers as toys, as this type of play may cause biting and scratching behaviors.

Some cats get over stimulated by play and get so excited that they "play bite." When cats play bite, they mean no harm. They just get so wrapped up in their play that they do not realize that biting can hurt.
If your cat or kitten does bite, freeze. Movement will encourage the cat to continue biting. When he or she lets go of you, redirect the cat to a toy. If the cat continues to bite, give him or her a "time out" by
placing your pet in another room for one to two minutes.

Scratching
Scratching is a normal behavior for all cats, even declawed cats. They scratch for a variety of reasons, including exercise, play, agility, stretching, and most importantly to remove the outer nail sheath that
sheds routinely. By trimming your cat's nails every two to three weeks, nails will stay blunt and less likely to harm your skin or furniture.

Provide your cat with a sturdy scratching post that allows him or her to stretch out completely when scratching. You may need to try a few different types of posts (textures and shapes) to find the perfect post for your cat.

Grooming
Cats groom themselves to keep their fur clean. Most cats do a great job of grooming, but longer-haired or older cats may need to be brushed frequently. Many cats enjoy this activity.

Litter Box
Most cats have a specific preference about where they want to eliminate. All indoor cats need a litter box. Your cat's litter box should be placed in a quiet, accessible location where your cat can feel comfortable eliminating. A bathroom or utility room is often a good place. One litter box is recommended per floor in a multilevel home. Cats are sensitive creatures, so try to avoid moving the
box unless absolutely necessary.

Keep the litter box clean. Cats won't use a messy, smelly litter box. Spot clean daily and completely clean and refill as needed. Don't use ammonia, deodorants, or scents, especially lemon, when
cleaning the litter box.


If you still have questions or are having problems with your cat, please call our Free Behavior Hotline at (312) 644-8338, ext. 343, or email us at help@anticruelty.org. We are here to help you work through any behavior problems with your cat or answer questions.

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