Skip to main content

Library

Behavior & Training

  • Some cats are active at night or awake very early in the morning. Since many owners are out at work or school during the day the cat may spend the daytime hours in rest and relaxation, especially if it is the only pet in the household.

  • There are many reasons why cats develop fears, for example there may have been limited exposure to people and other animals when the cat was young.

  • Most cats do not need to be actively trained to use a litter tray with an appropriate and appealing substrate in it.

  • Feline inappropriate elimination is one of the most common behavioural complaints of cat owners and can involve either urine and/or faeces deposited outside of the litter tray.

  • Although play is usually considered in connection with kittens, adult cats will also indulge in playful behaviours. In some cases, play can include a number of components of the cat's predatory behaviour including the stalk, pounce, and bite, which can lead to problems if this is directed at people.

  • Problems of aggression between cats in the same household can usually be prevented or minimised with early socialisation, patient and slow introductions of new cats and provision of adequate space and appropriate distribution of resources such as litter trays, resting places and water and food bowls.

  • For many people the thought of keeping a cat totally indoors seems to fly in the face of everything that the species stands for and certainly there is a lot to be said for cats having the freedom to roam around a wider territory and to come into contact with other cats and with natural prey.

  • Some cats seem to take house moves in their stride, but for others the loss of their familiar territory can be very traumatic and settling in can pose problems for owners and cats alike.

  • Play is an important component of kitten development, and proper play and exercise should be encouraged.

  • Play is a very important part of the feline world and kittens need the opportunity to play in order to learn vital adult skills both in communication and in hunting.