My office receives a large number of requests concerning cat behavior problems and it’s alarming to me whenever I hear people refer to their cats as spiteful, or they’re sure a beloved cat’s motivation behind a particular behavior is anger or revenge. Really? Do you believe your cat is capable of plotting a behavior as punishment for something you have or haven’t done?
Miscommunication Leads to Lousy Problem-Solving
There are a couple of major problems with thinking that your cat’s behavior is a punitive plan. First, it fuels miscommunication on your part so you waste valuable time in identifying the true underlying cause of the behavior. If you’re so sure the behavior is motivated by revenge then you will overlook some obvious and critical clues behind the true problem.
Next, it may create anger on your part so you might end up punishing the cat for the behavior. I’ve received many calls and emails from cat parents who have spanked their cats, rubbed their noses in their messes, or put their cats in time out as punishment. None of that works. It’s not only counter-productive, but it’s cruel as well.
Amplified Anxiety
Any unwanted behavior your cat displays is actually causing him anxiety. The behavior itself may be due to anxiety and then that gets ramped up in intensity because the cat is now getting punished for the behavior. Punishment doesn’t solve the problem and, in fact, makes it worse because the cat will likely develop a fear of you. So in addition to the initial behavior problem you will now have to deal with the fractured cat/human bond. Not a good plan. Even if you don’t punish a cat for unwanted behavior, the frustration of the situation (for both you and the cat) can create a wedge in the relationship and make the situation even worse.
Is it Medical or Behavioral?
The first thing to look at when it comes to a cat behavior problem is whether there’s an underlying medical cause. For example, the cat may be peeing on the carpet due to a urinary tract problem, or maybe it’s arthritis, diabetes, or chronic kidney disease. Kitty may have started biting when petted due to pain or illness. Rule out potential medical issues and then you can tackle this from a behavioral standpoint. If you overlook this step you may be subjecting your cat to needless suffering.
What is Your Cat Really Saying by the Behavior?
Don’t get hurt and take it personally when your cat pees on the bed or scratches your favorite chair. Instead, look at the situation from your cat’s point of view. You may find that kitty peed on the bed out of anxiety or fear. Perhaps he’s afraid to walk the path to the litter box because another cat in the household is resource guarding. Maybe the cat is scratching your favorite chair because the scratching post you supplied is totally ineffective. Perhaps the unwanted behavior is due to undiagnosed pain or illness. With a think like a cat attitude your eyes will be opened in a way that allows you to improve communication, reduce your cat’s stress, provide for his needs and rebuild the bond between the two of you. If you feel hurt or offended by your cat’s behavior you will only end up hurting him – if not physically, then certainly emotionally.
Even Behaviors We Don’t Like Make Sense to the Cat
Cats are intelligent and particular behaviors are repeated because they work. The end result of the behavior might not be pleasing to us, but it makes sense to the cat. When the cat eliminates on the bedroom carpet it certainly upsets us but it may work for the cat because he might feel safer there. After being ambushed by a companion cat whenever he tries to get to the litter box, kitty may decide the bedroom provides security.
Animals repeat behaviors that work for them, whether we agree with the behavior or not. The key to solving the problem is to look at it from the cat’s point of view. What is the cat trying to accomplish by the behavior and how can you set things up so he can succeed? Maybe it means increasing the number and locations of litter boxes or working on a behavior plan to help companion cats get along better. It may mean re-evaluating the scratching post you currently provide in the environment and purchasing or constructing one that actually meets your cat’s needs.
Photo: Pam Johnson-Bennett
It’s Never About Stupidity, Spite or Revenge
No matter how frustrated you may get by your cat’s unwanted behavior, put aside those counter-productive beliefs and start becoming an advocate. If you’re unsure how to correct a behavior problem, talk to your veterinarian about a referral to a certified behavior professional. If possible, video the behavior so your veterinarian can clearly see what’s going on.
Need More Information?
For more specific help with cat training or cat behavior problems, refer to the best-selling books by Pam Johnson-Bennett. Pam’s books are available at bookstores and online. We’ve included links to Amazon here on our website.
FIf you have a question about your cat’s behavior or health, contact your veterinarian. This article is not intended as a medical diagnosis nor is it a replacement for your cat’s regular veterinary care. This article is for general information purposes only.