Cats are extremely popular pets, and with good reason. Fluffy is not only super cute, she’s also clean, easy to care for, and full of adorable quirks. Our feline friends aren’t purrfect, however. Read on as a Georgetown, IN vet discusses some common behavioral issues in cats.

Scratching

Fluffy’s manicure habits are not very popular with her human friends. Your cat isn’t tearing up your things on purpose: kitties are instinctively driven to care for their nails. Offer your furry little diva a tall, sturdy scratching post, and bribe her with treats and praise for using it.

Rough Play

Cats are hunters by nature, and often really enjoy pouncing and attacking their ‘prey.’ Your housecat may never have to hunt anything other than a comfy napping spot, but Fluffy will still be driven to pounce, scratch, and bite. Nip this bad behavior in the bud! Offer your frisky furball lots of fun toys, play with her daily, and ignore her when she attacks you.

Aggression

Does your cat bite or scratch people? If so, you’ll want to determine whether Fluffy is truly acting aggressive, or is just playing rough. (Tip: if your cat’s ears are back and she is growling, hissing, and/or lashing her tail, she’s truly angry.) Aggression can often be corrected, but before you can address the issue, you’ll need to figure out what is causing Fluffy’s aggression. Does your cat lash out when she feels cornered? Or does she hate being picked up? Watch your furball closely, and ask your vet for advice.

Spraying

Having Fluffy spayed or neutered is the first and most important step to take in curbing this unwanted behavior. It’s also important to keep your furball’s litterbox clean: cats hate dirty bathrooms! Kitties can also spay because of medical problems, so be sure to consult your vet if your pet is having issues.

Bullying

Does your kitty terrorize your dog? Does Fluffy beat up on your other cats? Kitties can be both jealous and territorial, and aren’t always happy about having a furry roommate. Give all your pets their own beds and toys, and pay equal attention to them. Play sessions can also help, as they will burn off your furry friends’ excess energy. Ask your vet for more advice. Do you have questions about your cat’s health or care? Contact us, your Georgetown, IN animal clinic, anytime.