Recent questions tagged cat behavior

Description : How do I get one of my family's cats to stop behaving like a human?

Last Answer : If you restrict the people food from her, she’ll be forced to eat hers. They won’t starve themselves.

Description : My cat has decided to start dumping his water bowl over. Any ideas on how to get him to stop?

Last Answer : I would put a wide-base bowl down for awhile then replace that with the self-waterer again.It’s worth a try.My two cats are obsessed with water and stick their feet in all the time.They have wide based bowls now:)

Description : How to train a cat using a spray bottle?

Last Answer : Vinegar would be a bit harsh wouldn’t it?

Description : Why does my kitten follow me everywhere?

Last Answer : he thinks youre his momma :)

Description : content:

Last Answer : First check all hiding places in your home. Cats can crawl into small spaces and hide. Contact local animal shelters and animal control agencies with description of your cat. Enlist the help of neighbors and ... house. Please read our article, "What to do if your pet gets lost" for more information.

Description : My cat seems to think everything in the house is something that he should scratch. My couch looks horrible. I bough a scratching post for him to use, but he just ingores it. What can I do to get my cat to stop using everything but his scratching post to sharpen his nails?

Last Answer : Make the scratching post attractive to your cat by rubbing catnip over it. Place a toy that dangles on top - that should get his attention. Or place favorite treats at different levels. You ... discourage your cat from using the furniture as a scratching post. Keeping his nails trimmed helps too.

Description : My cat likes to sit on my chest before I get up in the morning. I start to pet her and she starts to knead. It can be a bit painful sometimes. Should I let her continue? I don't want to insult her by pushing her away. Is there a way to get her to stop?

Last Answer : While kneading can be painful for you at times, it's comforting for the cat. It's possible that your cat was taken away from her mother too soon and is reverting to kitten behavior. Or perhaps ... or pillow where the cat kneads. She might get used to kneading on the material rather than you.

Description : I just adopted a cat. She likes people and will sit on my lap all day. When it's time for her to eat, she doesn't seem to want anything. What can I do for her? She seems perfectly healthy.

Last Answer : Try to determine what your cat's favorite food is by offering a different variety at each meal. Allow her to eat where there's little noise and foot traffic so there will be nothing to frighten ... eating, take her to the vet to check if there are any medical reasons preventing her from eating.

Description : I want to get a cat for my daughter. I was wondering if it would be better to get a male or female one. I'd rather a cat that is calmer. Does gender make any difference?

Last Answer : Gender doesn't determine a cat's personality. Both males and females can be calm. They each have their own pluses and minuses, but it really depends on the individual cat. When you visit the ... each cat. Then spend some time with cats of both sexes which hopefully will make your decision easier.

Description : I've heard that cats are natural swimmers. Why can't they stand water or being wet?

Last Answer : Some scientists believe that a cat's aversion to water stems from humans protecting them from the elements. Another reason is that their coats, when wet, become heavy and lose their insulation. But some ... . Many cats are fascinated by water and will drink from a running faucet and play with it.

Description : There is a beautiful cat outside that I'd love to give a home to. She seems as if she'd love to come in out of the cold. She tries to come near, but then something happens and it freaks her out and she runs. What can I do to get her to be more friendly and less of a scardy cat?

Last Answer : It will take time and patience which may or may not be rewarded. If you have a sheltered area right next to your door, set out a box or bed for the cat placing inside it a piece of material that has ... her. Depending on the age of the cat and whether she is feral or a stray, this will take time.

Description : I brough home 2 kittens from the animal shelter about a year ago. These cats have grown up together. One is larger than the other and always starts play fights. The other cat can't stand it. Is there anything that I can do to get my bully to leave his sister alone? Both cats are neutered.

Last Answer : You can try by allowing each cat its own litter box, placing each one in a different location so that the bully doesn't have the opportunity to stand guard. Provide a means of escape for the cat ... shaking a can full of coins, when you see the bully bothering his sister. That may distract him.

Description : I know that he's doing it out of love, but it can get really annoying sometimes. I don't want to just send him away when he's looking for affection, but it's soooooo annoying.

Last Answer : When your cat butts you, it's a sign of acceptance and affection. Your cat is rubbing pheromones on you to show that he trusts you. You might want to try distracting him with tossing a toy or a ... . It could upset the bond between you. It's best just to try keeping his attention on something else.

Description : I just adopted a cat from a shelter. She lived there for 2 years. They gave her a name that I don't really like. Is it OK to give her a new name or should I just learn to like the name that they gave her?

Last Answer : When adopting a pet from a shelter, most people have a special name in mind for the pet. I've adopted several pets and given them new names without any problem. Use the cat's new name for pleasant ... as food, treats, playtime, petting. You'll have your cat responding to her new name in no time.

Description : I see my cat twitching while he sleeps. What is he dreaming about?

Last Answer : There is no way to know what cats dream about. But we can guess. They probably dream about stalking prey and catching them. Or they can dream about eating their favorite food. Perhaps they even dream about their humans. Until cats can speak to us, we can only imagine.

Description : My cat likes to talk to me and is constantly meowing. What is she trying to tell me?

Last Answer : A cat's meow can mean different things depending on variations in sound and situations. Meows can mean feed me, I want to go out/come in., play with me, pet me, look what I found (a mouse) and more. Meows are usually accompanied by body language to help you understand what the cat wants.

Description : The neighbors let their cats out.They are all over the place. What can I do to keep them from going in my yard?

Last Answer : First, politely speak to your neighbors and let them know the problems you're having. If that doesn't work, try throwing catnip into the neighbors' yard so they'll hopefully stay close to home. You can ... hurt the cats. It's not their fault, it's the neighbors actions that are causing the problem.

Description : She's been using it regularly for most of her life. All of a sudden she's decided that she'd rather pee in the bathtub. What's up with that?

Last Answer : Sounds like you have one cat, so sharing the litter box is not a problem. Your cat may need to be checked by the vet to rule out any medical issues. You can try changing the litter box, ... times as necessary. Don't punish the cat for accidents or she'll associate punishment with the litter box.

Description : Our cat is healthy and happy but he gets dirty all the time. He goes outside and gets into all things, like mud and dirt and other nasty things. He doesn't feel the need to clean himself off right away ... it, like most cats.) Is this normal behavior? What can I do to get him to keep himself clean.

Last Answer : It's important to find out why your cat doesn't keep clean. Is your cat obese or have joint problems or other issues? There's a product for pets that just like baby wipes that can be used for cleanups. If ... might be a good idea to have the vet check him just to make sure that he's in good health.

Description : We have a 10 month old neutered male. We were thinking about getting another cat to keep him company. We Leave him alone 9 hours a day whole we're at work and thought it would be nice if he had a friend. Is this a good idea?

Last Answer : Introduce him to other cats first and see if he likes them, if he does then go ahead and get another one!

Description : I love my cat, but every time I sit down at the computer, he feels obligated to sit in from of my computer screen. I take him off the desk, but he keeps on coming back. What can I do so that he'll let me work in peace?

Last Answer : Does he like water? Use a spray bottle whenever he comes to the computer. Or anything else he doesn't like. We do that for our dog. :)

Description : My cat seems to love to sleep in the middle of the bed. She plops herself down and it's really hard for me to sleep. I'll take her off, but she keeps coming back. Is there anyway to keep her from going on the bed so that I can get a good night sleep?

Last Answer : Once your cat is allowed in the bedroom, it's very difficult to keep her off the bed. You can try with getting her a bed of her own. Place a favorite toy along with comfortable cushion or blanket and ... time. If you're concerned about cat hair, just put a sheet or other covering over your bed.

Description : Whenever there are any boxes around, my cat feels the need to investigate. Eventually he'll lie in them and go to sleep. What's the deal with cats and boxes?

Last Answer : My dog does the same thing, I think it's just their personality. You should leave one out for him. :)

Description : My cat seems to be scared of everything. What can I do to get him to calm down?

Last Answer : Has your cat had much socialization? If not, it takes a bit of time and patience to gain his trust. Some cats are intimidated by a human's size so crouch down to pet him. Cats are ... calm him down, just follow the instructions for cats. Eventually, with patience your cat will lose his fear.

Description : I know that cats like running water, so I bought a water fountain bowl for her. She seems to play with the water more than she drinks it and she makes a mess all over the floor. What can I do to get her to stop?

Last Answer : Keep the bowl in the bottom of your shower or bathtub. Use a heavy weight such as a clean rock to hold the bowl in place. You might consider purchasing a pet water fountain which may intrigue your cat enough to stop her playing with water.

Description : My cat spends a lot of time looking out of the window. Whenever she sees a bird or other small animal she makes this weird noise . Why does she do that? What does it mean?

Last Answer : One cat person came up with the idea that the cat is imitating the bird's chirp with it's chatter. I think that the cat is probably frustrated or excited about seeing the bird and not being able to catch ... prowl and catch sight of prey, they try to be as quiet as possible so not to alert the prey.

Description : When my cat gets scared, like when there is a dog around, she's ablt to get her fur to stand up. She puffs herself way out, especailly her tain. How does she do that?

Last Answer : There are bumps at the base of hairs which develop when a cat or other animal is cold or experiences stressful emotions such as excitement, fear, a threat. The term for hair standing on edge is ... frighten away the danger. When a cat is cold, the raised hairs can trap air, providing insulation.

Description : No matter how big or small, if there is a box around, my cats will climb into it and snuggle up. They have beds. Why do they do it? What is the big deal about boxes?

Last Answer : Cats love places that they can fit into comfortably and fee secure. Boxes, paper bags, closets, cabinets, bowls are just some of the containers they like to curl up in. Our small house cats are both ... to nap. Boxes are great hiding places where they can watch for prey (you) and pounce when ready.

Description : Is it considered cannibalism if a tiger (big cats) ate a small cats (domesticated) bc they are not the same species, but belong to the same family...?

Last Answer : Domestic tigers, those in zoos, circuses, etc, have been known to eat their young. They would probably eat just about anything if faced with starvation. But it is not cannabalism to eat a domestic cat as they are a different species.

Description : I don't think I've ever seen my cat drink from his water bowl. He regular drinks from the kitchen and bathroom sinks and even from my cup, when he gets the opportunity. It's annoy. What can I do to get him to stop and drink out of his own bowl?

Last Answer : Cats don't drink a lot but should be encouraged to drink some. Don't add anything to the water. Try using a different bowl or placing the bowl in a different spot. Many cats enjoy drinking from ... eats only dry food, add some water to it or better yet, add some canned food which contains water.

Description : What made Grouchy Cat so grouchy? What can we do to make him happy?

Last Answer : Actually, cats aren't really grouchy unless annoyed when they're eating or resting. Some cats look grouchy because of the shape of the mouth, pushed-in noses or the way their colors blend giving them an ... so good or you've disturbed him/her. Your cat will come to you when ready for socializing.

Description : My cat recently had kittens. We set up a nice lined basket for her and her new family. Why does she not use it and keeps moving them from place to place?

Last Answer : Is the cat and her kittens in a high traffic area? Your cat is being very protective of her babies. If there's too much activity near them or she feels they are being handled too often, she will ... moving her kittens. Check on the places she has chosen to see if one of them is good for everyone.

Description : Our adopted cat has bitten me twice--once badly enough to go to the hospital. I avoid trying to pick him up --which is when the bites occur. He will soon need to go to the vet and I would like to know if there is a safe way to pick him up and put him in his carrier without being bitten,

Last Answer : I suspect when you pick him up, you are touching a spot that may be painful or overly sensitive. I would start getting him used to the carrier by leaving it out and open, perhaps with a ... before he examines your cat that he sometimes bites so that your vet will be prepared for any situation.

Description : I try to keep rubber bands away from my cat, but he has a 6th sense on where to find them. He loves playing with them, but I'm sure that they are really dangerous. Why does he find them so fascinating? What can I replace them with in order to keep him safe?

Last Answer : Anything that moves like a rubberband can be of interest to cats. But it's important to make sure that rubberbands are not accessible to your cat. They are dangerous and can cause major problems including ... time and rotate them every couple of days. Set aside a daily playtime for you and your cat.

Description : My cat is very affectionate and purrs and snuggles close to me when he gets a chance. Every so often he licks me on my fingers. Is he kissing me or just cleaning fingers that he thinks are dirty?

Last Answer : Cats are social animals. Licking is a way of exchanging grooming and sharing scents with other pets or people they like. It can also mean that your cat finds the salt flavor on your body very tasty.

Description : If you have a pet cat and a goldfish in a fishbowl- without a covering- is it a certainty that the cat will attemp to eat/play with/remove the goldfish?

Last Answer : It all boils down to Instict and curiosity. No matter whether it's a domesticated cat or a wild cat- that goldfish is in danger. . Cats are curious by nature, so even if they dont intend to eat that goldfish. ... a gift. To be on the safe side, get a strong cover for your tank or net for your pond.

Description : I adopted a cat that a friend found on the street. She's affectionate and loving when she's not hiding off under the bed or in the closet. She seems to be afraid of everything. What can I do to calm her nerves? I hate to see her like this a lot of the time.

Last Answer : It's no unusual for street cats to have difficulty adapting to home life. You need to remember that your cat was never propery socialized to be in your house. Be patient. Try coaxing her out of ... she has nothing to fear in your home. Try reading: Fraidy Cats Taming Feral Kittens/Cats Good luck!

Description : My cat's favorite pastime seems to be sleeping. She sleeps for more than half the day. Is that normal?

Last Answer : Your cat is not alone in her favorite pastime. A lot of cats sleep most of the day, averaging 15 hours a day. Most of their awake hours are between dusk and dawn. That means when you are awake and ... of the things that I find most impressive about cats. I wish that I could be more like my cats!

Description : I adopted 2 kittens from the animal shelter in our neighborhood. When we got them, they were about four-months-old and about the same size. The male has grown to be larger than the female and plays ... only wants to play. Should I get involved and separate them? Both of the cats have been neutered.

Last Answer : If the play goes on for more than 10 minutes and your female cat is really upset, it's a good idea to give them a time-out. If the male hurts the female, then stop the play right away so ... with them using other toys. Don't offer treats as they will view this as a reward for their behavior.

Description : Whenever I feed my cat, she goes insane. She jumps on the counter and tries to bat the food out of my hands. Is there a way to control this behavior? She's scratched me more than once and it's really annoying.

Last Answer : Prepare the food dish before feeding time away from the cat's presence. Try distracting the cat with a favorite toy. Sometimes a firm "No" will work.

Description : I've gotten use to the cat going where ever she wants, but it grosses out my husband every time he see her walking on the counters where we prepare food (I wash the counter down before I start cooking). Is there any way to train her not to go on the counters?

Last Answer : It's very difficult to stop a cat from jumping onto counters especially since they love going on high places. You could use distractions such as toys and treats. Reward her when she jumps off with a treat ... her. If all fails, your husband may have to get used to the cat jumping on the counters.

Description : He was neutered at 6-months-old.I thought that neutering would take away his drive to spray. What can I do to get him to stop?

Last Answer : Your cat probably sprays in the same area all the time as the odor can be difficult to get rid of. Wash any materials well where your cat sprays. There are a number of products on the market ... used to remove the odor. Some even claim to stop cats from spraying. They are certainly worth trying.

Description : I grew up with cats and dogs in the house, but we got the cat after the dog and the cat was a kitten. Now that I have an adult cat that is territorial, what are the chances that bringing a dog ... the house will go smoothly? Is there anything that I can do to make things not turn into world war III?

Last Answer : Try to determine if the dog you choose is cat-friendly. Introduce them gradually. Keeping them in separate rooms, allow them to view each other through a secure gate. If all goes well, after several ... sure there won't be any problems. If all else fails, you can consult with an animal behaviorist.

Description : My cat had some ticks on him and as I was tweezing them off, he was purring. Is that normal?

Last Answer : Cats do purr when they are content. But they also purr at other times. No one knows for sure, but research has shown that cats also purr when they are in pain or stressed in order to comfort themselves.

Description : My cat looks content and seems to be happy, but I never hear her purr. Is there something wrong with her?

Last Answer : As long as she's in good health, there's nothing wrong. Some cats don't purr while others purr so softly, it's almost impossible to hear. You can read more about cats and their vocalizations here: http://thepetwiki.com/Cats_and_Their_Vocalizations