How To Stop House Cat Behavior Problems

People adore having cats as pets. Cats are more independent than dogs, often require less work than dogs, are soft to touch, some like to cuddle on laps and beds and the purring sound they make can decrease stress levels and lower blood pressure. However, cats do have behavior problems, the top two being litterbox problems/spraying and scratching of furniture and carpets. There are some ways you can stop your pet from these behavior problems and with some patience and work, a cat can become a wonderful addition to your home.

1. Have your pet checked out by the vet before you attempt anything else. Cats can become stressed very easily by changes, moves or additions to your family. They may be reacting to the change by not using the litter box, scratching up your furniture or spraying things. In addition, sick cats may have difficulty making it to the litter box in time.

2. Clean the litter box twice a day. Cats are fastidious creatures and many will not use a litter box that is dirty. If you are able, scrub the litter box out and let air dry once a week. Make sure you use an unscented, clumping litter.
3. Consider having multiple litter boxes. Many cats like urinating and defecating in different places. You should also have an additional litter box for each cat in your home. Cats can be very picky about using a litter box other cats have used.
4. If your cat is urinating on carpet, drapes or furniture, clean the area with an enzymatic cleaner. This will help eliminate the smell and the stain. Your local pet store should sell such a product.
5. Spay or neuter your cat. This will often stop spraying on furniture and drapes in 90 percent of cats. This will also help if your male cat has aggression issues.
6. If your cat is a clawer, start by keeping their nails trimmed. You can ask your vet or your local pet store for a recommendation on a claw clipper. To trim you cat's nails, press gently on the footpad to extend the claw. Snip off the tip of the nail, being careful not to cut into the pink part of the nail. If you do go into pink part, your cat's nail will bleed and your cat may jump and try to run away from you. If you have difficulty, ask your vet to show you how to trim your cat's claws.
7. Give your cat a place to claw, like a scratching post, or a tree trunk. Rub catnip (catnip does not work on cats less than 5 months old) into the scratching post and show your cat what to do with it. Encourage your cat's behavior with treats and praise.
8. Use double sided-sticky tape. If your cat is using a door post or couch constantly for scratching, try applying double sided-sticky tape to discourage them from scratching that area. Do this only if you have given your cat another place to scratch, like a scratching post-otherwise they will simply find a new place to scratch.
9. Use a foul smelling (to your cat) product like No Scratch. This will help with scratching and spraying/marking of certain areas. Check with your vet or local pet store for recommendations.
10. Apply claw covers to your cat's nails. Claw covers, under the product name Soft Paws or Soft Claws, are a relatively new product. Plastic tips are applied to cover your cat's claws so they cannot scratch. Your vet may be able to apply them or you may be able to apply them if you have a mellow cat.