Problems With a Pet Cat

Pet cats rely on humans for support.

Owning a pet comes with great responsibility. While cats tend to be solitary creatures, they still rely on their human companions for support. Like people, each cat has an individual personality and health conditions that can greatly influence their behavior. While most any problem with your cat can be resolved, it is important to be aware of common issues to ensure that you will be able to provide proper care.

Using a Litter Box

Most cats will respond quickly to litter-box training. If your cat is not using a litter box, it may be a sign of serious health complications. According to Helping Animals.com, "any cat who is urinating outside the litter box should be taken to a veterinarian right away to rule out a urinary tract infection."

Compulsive Behavior

While all beings perform compulsive behaviors to sustain themselves, cats can develop dangerous behaviors. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals says, "The most common compulsive behaviors in cats are wool sucking or fabric eating and excessive licking, hair chewing or hair pulling."

Scratching

Cats scratch out of instinct. This fulfills their needs to keep their claws sharp while providing an opportunity to stretch. If not given a proper outlet to alleviate the need to scratch, your cat will scratch any surface it deems fit.

Meowing

While some cats only meow to alert you of something they need, such as food or water, others will meow constantly for attention or simply to show they like to talk.

Aggression

If frightened, your cat may show aggressive behavior toward you or other animals in your home. The ASPCA notes common aggressive behavior as biting, yowling, swatting or clawing.

References

• Helping Animals Litter Box Training
• ASPCA Compulsive Cat Behavior
• ASPCA Information on Cat Agression