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Cat Behavior
All Things Cat
What
is Considered Normal Cat Behavior?
They're Nocturnal
One of the big things to keep in mind about feline behavior is that these are nocturnal creatures. That means
they sleep, on average, eighteen hours a day. Don’t expect to go jogging on the beach with a cat. Do expect
to have the cat listen attentively about your misadventures stepping on a horseshoe crab after you jogged on the beach.
If they are going to get into mischief, they tend to do it when they think you're asleep.
They're Hunters
The domestic cat is responsible for the extinction of
at least seven bird species. This is partially due to their incredible hunting skills. The will hunt even when
not hungry, so they can store the food for future lean times. They also will bring dying prey to your feet because they
are trying to help feed you. This is what the feline behavior books all say. Personally, I think it's because
cats like to watch you hit the ceiling.
They're Carnivorous
One aspect about feline behavior can't be changed or they will die – they have to eat meat in order to
survive. Although dogs can become vegetarians and thrive, cats can't. Don’t expect your cat to become
a vegetarian. And they really shouldn't eat a lot of non-meat items, although rice is great for them, as well as
a minor serving of veggies. But unless a cat has an adequate amount of protein, they can die. However, if they
don' want to eat for a few days, that's okay. That's normal feline behavior.
They Scratch
This very common cat behavior is actually not supposed to be
destructive or pointless. Cats scratch for various reasons that include working off excess energy, taking off the dead layers
of their claws, stretching and sometimes to mark their territories. This inherent cat behavior can turn destructive when they
scratch on things that they are not supposed to, like the drapes, furniture and rugs. One way of preventing your home from
looking like somebody went at it with a razor is to provide a scratching post or any other acceptable scratching material
for your cat. Observe which materials and locations your cat prefers to scratch and provide the scratching posts there.
They Marking Their Territory
Another very
common cat behavior is marking their territory with urine. Cats seldom mark their territory with feces, thank goodness for
that! This is an instinctive behavior that all cats and also dogs have. Before you can go about resolving this cat behavior,
you must first learn why they do this. Cats mark their territories when they feel that there is a threat from other animals
or there are other animals in the home that they do not feel comfortable with.
Learning
about these common behaviors that your pet may manifest is essential to owning a cat. This knowledge will also help
you deal with these behaviors when the need arises.
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Cat Training: Squirt Bottle Good vs Bad
Most people believe that training a cat is important. Yes it is, but using
a squirt bottle with water?
It is a known fact that
most cats don't like water. There are always exceptions!!
The Good
Some people swear by using
the squirt bottle or small water gun in training.
They
state that the cat begins to understand the correlation between the unwanted behavior and the water squirting.
Eventually all the owner has to do is hold the squirting object and the cat stops
the behavior before the squirting begins.
As with
everything else in life, one must carefully try this method and see if it helps in training your cat. Or does it create distrust
and resentment in your feline pet.
The
Bad
Others have experienced a hostile resentful
and angry cat when using this method. It may hiss, arch its back and even growl at you. If this happens stop using this
method in your training.
If your cat is deterred
without negative consequences or begins to fear you then by all means continue using it, though sparingly.
I would not suggest using it 10 times a day. Any living creature can not tolerate
that, this constitutes abuse.
If you choose to use
the squirt bottle or water gun as a teaching tool, you can not then use these items as toys for your cat.
So there you have it. I have given you the good vs bad factors to using the squirt
bottle method of cat training.
Only you can decide
what is best for you and your relationship with your cat.
Cat Behavior Issues
by Sheri Davis Collins
Some cat behavior problems can be related to ill health or
sickness like tooth pain, hyperthyroidism, FLUTD, etc.
However, if sickness is not the case, then you need behavior
problem solutions.
Cat behavior issues can be a bit unsettling for their owners.
There are always important reasons why your cat changes its behavior.
There are also solutions, and it may take some effort but, the longer these behavioral issues are left unchecked, the
harder they are to adjust.
It will take consistent attempts and the use of the correct behavior modification methods to arrive at your desired result.
The behavior problems could be urinating indoors and rough activity toward you and others.
Clawing on furniture is not a behavior problem; the cat needs to shed the outer layer of growing claws. This can
be addressed by obtaining a scratching post.
Being aware of the correct manner of what must be done should rule out most of the frustration involved in attempting
to train or retrain your cat. It will also ensure that you achieve the proper response.
This way, you, your household and your cat will be much happier.
Aggressive behavior and indiscriminate urinating can be a sign that your cat is feeling insecure about its environment
and possibly the onslaught of an illness.
Give thought to whether there are other cats or threats to your pet and attempt to remove them. Then ascertain
if this has relieved the situation.
Frequently the removal of any threats against your cat results in your pet feeling at ease with its environment. Additionally
it removes the cat's need to mark its territory or act aggressively, unless it is ill.
Occasionally, it may be jealous if there are other pets in the home and it feels it is not receiving adequate attention.
Another factor may be a change in its environment. Stress levels in humans are effected when changes in location occurs,
the same can effect cats. So changes in their surroundings can have an effect in their behavior and a bit more play
time should be spent with them.
Take a look at some additional information below.
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For many cats and dogs, physical or behavioral problems have an
emotional element that traditional medications aren't designed to help.
In my personal experience, Flower Essences addresses these issues without side effects and really assist your pet
in behavioral issues. They can also be take in conjunction with prescription medications, since they are not medicinal
in nature, but holistic.
Flower Essences are safe,
gentle, and can be very helpful and effective in helping your pet be happier, more cooperative, and less reactive to stressful
events.
They can help with soothing fear and tension arising from situations like thunderstorms, vet visits, physical
trauma, visitors, travel, or new additions to the family. It can be safely used with other holistic remedies or medications,
and has no known side effects.
I have found them
to be profoundly helpful with all my cats, especially before vet visits or traveling in the car.
Only Natural Pet Just Relax Flower Essence Blend for Dogs and Cats
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