What can we do when our cats aren’t behaving how we’d like?
It can be tricky to know how to manage our cats’ undesirable behavior, in part simply because they’re cats – often, they seem to rule the roost, or think that they do! That said, there are things that we can do, both addressing the behavior and making sure our kitties are healthy and happy too. Of course, some of the best cat treats will help!
Registered cat behavioral consultant Molly Kelsey, or The Cat Counsellor, has offered some advice in a new Instagram post, and it’s a great help for the cat parents among us!
“Punishments like spraying water, clapping hands, or hitting are not only ineffective as a training tool, but they are known to cause a lot of unnecessary fear, anxiety, and stress in our feline friends,” Kelsey begins by explaining. “Their trust in the person responsible will diminish, and could be difficult to rebuild. The unwanted behavior may even escalate, or new ones can develop as a result.”
These methods of behavior management are outdated, and while you may not dream of punishing your cat in these ways, it’s still worth noting – even if only to compare them to Kelsey’s alternatives. (Don’t miss out on these seven common cat behavior problems solved, too!)
First of all, she says that it’s important to take your cat to the vet if they’ve started displaying unwanted behaviors suddenly, to rule out injury or illness, as these can change a cat’s behavior overnight.
It’s also a good idea to ensure your cat has suitable outlets for normal cat behavior, like spaces for climbing, resting, and viewing in their favorite areas – often, cats like to be up high, while some cats love exploring a cat tree. And, as Kelsey puts it, “If you don’t provide it, they’ll make their own.” We found the six best cat trees for cats who love to climb, here, if you need some ideas.
In contrast, it’s worth making areas that aren’t for cats boring and unappealing. If you don’t want your cat somewhere, but you’ve left scraps of food in the area, there might just be too much temptation!
She continues, “Reinforce desired behaviors frequently … let them know they are doing something right and reward it.” Even sitting calmly on the couch is a desired behavior – if you allow your cat on the furniture – so get some treats out and give plenty of praise!
Finally, remember to teach your cat simple cues to control their movements – Kelsey recommends cues like ‘come’, ‘spin’, and ‘sit’. “This will make it easier to direct them to an appropriate area if needed,” she explains.
If you have more cat-related questions, here are 32 weird cat behaviors that you’re worried about – while we’ve also got 17 signs of a happy cat here.
