Cat Behaviors: Understanding Your Cat

Adopting a stray cat is an option available to those who desire a cat for a pet. This said, stray cats offer a unique and sometimes difficult challenge to those that wish adopt them. Many cat behaviors are often misunderstood, so one must take a great deal of care and understanding if they are to turn a feral cat into a happy house pet.

The most successful adoption starts with the cat choosing you too. If it is willing to come to you and acts friendly you know things are fine, but that's not always the case. Then the cat's food can be the most effective means of earning a cat's friendship. You have to be patient, but day by day your new pet will start to become accustomed to you.

It's wonderful to have a kitten in your home. However, cat behaviors like cat scratching, urinating all over the house, and hunting for prey can not be accepted. Before you are ready to find a new home for your pet, do some research. You can find a solution to the problems that will make you and your pet happy.

A cat scratching post is a useful tool to deter your cat from scratching on your walls or furniture. They come in many different sizes and made of diverse materials to entice your kitten to scratch. A jungle gym is also a great tool to get rid of some of the pent up energy your kitten has and also gives him a secure place to sleep

If your cat is male then it's crucial to get him neutered if you want to stop marking his territory by spraying urine. This will also be healthy for him because he won't feel the need to get into fights with other males.

Your new kitten places a furry or feathered creature at your feet, don't be anxious this is normal cat behaviour. All cats need to hunt weather it is a mouse or a ladybug especially if you had adopted this cat that had to survive on its own for a while. Love him up; don't fuss at him for doing what is completely natural.

Not providing a solution for these cat behaviors will make for an unhappy relationship with your cat. If you don't allow a cat to hunt, it will definitely drive you crazy as cats require an outlet for their energy. Scratching and spraying definitely need to taken care of if you value your furniture to any degree. This is why these basic cat behaviors are useful to understand; especially when adopting a stray.

New cats in a home may exhibit one or more of many unwanted cat behaviors. The most common problems owners have are cat scratching, spraying and hunting. Cats that scratch furniture or other possessions can often be redirected to a scratching post. A male cat that sprays to mark his territory will need to be neutered to solve the problem. Also, a cat's natural hunting instinct can be redirected towards any of the wide variety of toys available, or even homemade ones. Cat behaviour may be perplexing to a new owner, but can be efficiently handled, creating a more positive environment for both you and your cat.

- Paul Proctor