Dealing with Negative Cat Behavior
Don’t let these common bad behaviors ruin the relationship you have with your feline companion. Too many cats are turned in to shelters and humane societies because their owners couldn’t deal with their behavior. Here are ways to combat two common behaviors:
Scratching the furniture. Cats scratch to shed their outer claws, as well as to stretch and burn energy. By observing where your cats scratch and when, you can find ways to move their attention to acceptable scratching posts. Look at the textures, the height, the position, and the location of her favorite scratchable furniture. Then, try to mimic the furniture by fashioning or purchasing a similar post. Place it next to the original spot, and cover the original furniture with foil, sandpaper, or double-sided tape. She should then choose to scratch the second item instead of the first. Once she does this consistently, gradually move the new scratching post to a more acceptable location.
Urine marking. The best way to handle this behavior is to spay or neuter your cat. This should take care of 90% of the problems. If your cat is resistant to change, limit his outdoor time, or keep him indoors altogether. Clean soiled areas thoroughly with an enzymatic cleaner. What doesn’t work is punishing your cat after the fact. He won’t know what the punishment is for, and will not stop the behavior.
