Behavior in cats

Litter Box Problems

Occasionally, cats may start urinating outside of the litter box for medical or behavioral reasons.

It is very important to first eliminate a medical cause in order to ensure that the problem is behavioral.

Here are some different points to keep in mind to remedy the problem.

The medical cause: A cat that has a urine infection or crystals in the urine will frequently urinate and /or defecate outside of the litter box. Why? Because he associates the litter box with pain. Therefore, he looks to find another place to urinate. Some will always return to the same place where others will go a bit everywhere. Ideally, the animal should be examined, have a urine analysis, x-rays of the bladder as well as a urine culture. These tests are necessary to eliminate a medical cause.

Behavioral problem: Different points are to be observed and modified in order to resolve the problem:

The size of the litter box is important. Cats like to have lots of space for digging, therefore the length if the box should be at least twice the size of the cat and be at least 5 inches deep. It should never have a cover. The litter box should be placed at the back of a large room, in an open space with little traffic, because cats like to see what’s going on around them, to watch their backs and be able to escape. Ideally, it should be deep enough and transparent in order, once again, for the cat to be able to observe what’s going on around him. There should be at least one litter box more than the number of cats in the house (ex. 3 boxes for 2 cats). They should be placed in different rooms. They should not be placed near food bowls. If there is a dog in the house, put the litter box at a level where the dog cannot reach it.

The type of litter is also important. Cats do not like added perfumes, baking soda or any other odor removing product sold on the market. They prefer to keep their own odor. Therefore, it is best to remove his excrements from the litter every day.

To clean up after a urine stain, it is not recommended to use ammonia based products since we find it in urine. A cat will return to remark their territory thinking that another cat did his. Consequently, avoid using Bleach, Windex® or any other cleaning product. Use enzyme based products since these will eliminate the marking hormone. There is also Feliway® which can help to eliminate these problems by imitating the facial hormones of cats, which makes the area feel safe and familiar to him.

A cat who is not sterilized, male or female, can mark its territory by urinating everywhere outside of the litter box.

Aggression and anxiety

One cause of aggression in cats may be a medical problem. If a cat does not feel well, if he is in pain, he won’t want to be touched and will be defensive. Therefore, if your cat shows signs of aggression, it is important to first have him examined by a veterinarian.

A lack of education may also be responsible. That is to say, if he was removed from his mother at a very young age, she would not have had the time to educate him, show him the strength of his bite, etc. Ideally, a kitten should stay with his mother for 10 to 12 weeks.

Aggression may occur when the cat sees another cat or something that causes him stress that he cannot attain. For example, seeing another cat outside through the patio door. This is called redirected aggression.

It is recommended to separate cats from the same house when they are in redirected aggression and to not make any abrupt gestures in order avoid the aggression being directed towards you. A little trick: install cardboard at the bottom of the patio door window so that your cat can’t see the other cats outside.

Frustration can also cause aggression towards humans. If you punish the cat by hitting him, he risks using his first defense, aggression. It is also important to punish the cat only when you have caught him in the act. Living only in the present moment, he won’t understand if you punish him later.

A change in environment, like boarding for example may also cause a big stress and provoke aggression. It is recommended to keep him at home and have someone check in on him regularly instead. This way he will be much less destabilized.

Some small tricks may help to reduce aggression from the cat towards you. Try to ignore him and turn your glance away from his to not show him that you want to dominate him. Look at him with your eyes half closed like the cat does himself when he is relaxed. Change his target, give him a toy to show him he can bite it. Feliway® is also a good product which replicates the facial hormones of cats and in doing so creates comforting and calming feelings.

To prevent aggression:

• Never hit the cat or play rough;
• Never play with the fingers or with the hand on the belly;
• Stop petting if he whips his tail;
• Do not remove your hand when he bites;
• Say «no» firmly and with a deep voice;
• Get up and remain still without looking at the cat if he bites you when you are sitting.
• Offer him a healthy environment which includes elevated areas such as cat trees, tables, the tops of cabinets and shelves where he can survey his territory.

Domination

In the feline species, there is the presence of dominant and submissive behavior and this is directed as much towards animals as humans.

Here are some different signs for recognizing a dominant cat:

The dominant cat always takes the height and the biggest part of the territory;

He is always the first to eat and takes all of the privileges;

He is the first to go in the litter box when it has been cleaned;

He is the one who sleeps the closest to the level of your head in bed;

He always sleeps in the same places and at the same hours.

In a multi cat household, there must be a confrontation to establish the hierarchy and the rank of dominant. Several steps take place:

1. The threat: they will put on a show to prove who is stronger and who is bigger by making their hair stand on end and vocalizing;

2. Then the attack takes place and there will be periods of calm;

3. The recuperation period: each one remains quiet on his side.

The cycle can recommence several times until one of the two cats finally lets’ go, which determines who is dominant.

*** It is very important not to intervene during these confrontations, because the cycle will start over again and sometimes more intensely. ***

Confrontations may occur each time a cat is found in the dominant cats preferred areas. Meanwhile, we also find an area in the home where all the cats can be together at the same time, for mating, grooming, hunting, playing and learning. We call it the family zone.

It is very important to observe body language to know if there is a confrontation or simply an invitation to play.

Invitation to play: The ears forward, whiskers forward and the tail up and curved over the back.

Aggression and confrontation: The pupils are dilated, the ears pointed back, the fur raised and the tail down.

The introduction of a new cat

1. Never force two cats to meet;

2. Isolate the cats and allow them to take turns exploring their house;

3. Take turns petting the cats in the face and back side with the same clean cloth to mix their scents;

4. Make the cats eat at the same time, bringing their bowls a bit closer to each other each time;

5. Play with the cats at the same time to associate the presence of the other cat with something pleasant;

6. If there is growling/fighting, do not intervene or punish;

7. If there is a lot of skirmish, isolate the cats for the night.

Moving or other changes

1. Keep the cat indoors for 3 months;

 

2. Put objects with his odor a bit everywhere around the house;

 

3. Use the Feliway® diffuser;

 

4. Limit access to one room at first, the time for his anxiety to disappear;

 

5. Let him leave the room on his own, don’t force him to explore.

 

Furniture destruction

1. Do not punish the cat;

2. Use a scratching post, a scratching board or rope carpet;

3. Place the poste in front of the areas he visits;

4. The poste should be very solid and be the length of the cat when he stands up;

5. Use catnip to attract the cat to the post.

 

Myths and interesting facts

Cats are attracted to people with allergies.

A cat does not gravitate towards a person who is allergic because they are, but rather because he feels he can dominate them. Because the person will do everything to avoid the cat (avoid his glance and not go near him), he will often go to lie down on this person as a sign of dominance.

The cat brings us a hunting trophy

In fact, he is not bringing us a trophy, but rather trying to teach us to hunt. It is recommended not to touch the little creature while the cat is still present.

Rubs up against us for affection

We often remark this behavior when we come home or get out of the shower. It is not a sign of affection, but more of marking. The cat will put his odor on us to remove all strange odors.

The cat is bored

It is rare that a cat is bored. He likes his little routine and will get used to a new routine when he is left alone, during vacation for example. It is preferable to leave the cat in his territory during vacation to avoid changing his routine and destabilizing him. When returning from vacation, we often believe that the cat is sulking. In reality, he isn’t. He is just comfortable in his routine and gives no importance to your return. In rare cases, separation anxiety is possible.

Cats don’t like water

Certain cat breeds, like the Turkish Van like water very much and it is not unusual either to see cats play in their water bowl or go drink from the faucet. The reason for which most cats do not like water is that it makes them lose their odor. It takes them some time to wash themselves after.

A cat that scratches his bowl

It is a sign that they don’t like where the bowl is placed, the bowl its’ self or his food. It is recommended to use a ceramic bowl with a drawing at the bottom because the cat cannot see the bottom in a stainless steel bowl.

Purring

Purring is not just a sign that the cat is happy, it serves to calm him when there is a big trauma or stress.

Kneading

This action is a sign of calm and wellbeing like when a kitten drinks from its’ mother.

Vocalizing at night

The vocalizing at night is often because the cat wants attention. It is important in these cases to not give him any. You can go to the bathroom without looking at or talking to him, then without looking at him, spray him with water and go back to bed. Usually, the cat will stop meowing.

Biting during petting

This behavior often occurs when the cat was removed from his mother at a very young age. The best way to avoid this is by observing the body language. If he starts to wag its tail or lower his ears, stop petting him.

Sterilization

Sterilization is strongly recommended to avoid certain behaviors: urine marking, with males and females, running away, aggression towards other cats as well as the intense vocalizing of females in heat.

The importance of the 14 day period

To change an undesirable habit, this period of time is necessary to teach the cat not to do it. If you don’t do it just once, you must start the 14 days all over again to make him understand.

Games to avoid

The laser is an element to ban from the cats toys. Since he will never be able to catch it, he will feel frustrated and may even begin developing undesirable behavior. Strings should be put away when you are not there because there is risk of injury and a foreign body.