“Cattitude” Is Not Really a Cat Problem: It’s a Human One
How knowledge and understanding of cats can influence the relationship that people have with their furry companions.
When Tessa adopted her cat Max a year ago, she found herself overwhelmed. Though she adopted Max for companionship, expecting a cat that would snuggle on her lap and keep her company, the reality was much different. Instead, she found herself with a cat who would not sit still and was constantly jumping onto the kitchen counters, scratching the furniture, and biting Tessa. Tessa was stressed and worried: Did she choose the wrong cat for her? Were their personalities incompatible?
A recent study examining the relationships between 547 guardians and their cats offers some good news for Tessa[1]. The study shows that the relationship between cat and guardian depends more on the attitudes and knowledge of the person than on the personality of the cat. In fact, guardians with a better understanding of cat behavior report fewer behavioral problems in their cats. Overall, there is an information gap among cat guardians: many are still unaware of their cats’ basic needs.
This study has crucial consequences for pet cats: it shows that many cats likely are not receiving the attention that they need, and thus acting out and being “naughty”. This information also shows that people reporting their cats’ misbehavior need only make small changes to improve their relationship with their cat.
One change that cat guardians can make is training their cats using positive reinforcement rather than with positive punishment. This essentially means using something that your cat likes, such as food, to train them how to act correctly, rather than using something unpleasant to deter them, such as spraying them with water. For example, if a cat jumps up on the kitchen counter, instead of spraying the cat with water, their guardian can use treats to encourage the cat to jump off the counter and give them a treat for being on the floor. This type of training is more effective and makes it enjoyable for the cat. It also teaches the cat what they should be doing rather than what they should not be doing.
Teaching cats some simple tricks is a fun way to begin training. Even teaching easy tricks such as “sit” and “high five” are great for giving your cat something to do. Encouraging this type of mental activity can help to tire a cat out. There are many tutorials online for teaching these simple tricks.
Another excellent and necessary activity for cats is play. Many cats do not receive the play that they need, which can result in causing mischief and misbehaving. Cats like to play independently, so it is important to leave toys out where they can access them. Play with a human is also crucial and can provide much-needed exercise and interaction. This type of play will vary depending on the cat’s own preferences; many cats like wand toys, and some cats will even fetch!
Photo: Cottonbro/Pexels
Finally, another necessity for cats is enrichment, or adding things to the cat’s home to make it more interesting. Enrichment gives cats more opportunities to exercise normal cat behaviors and can prevent them from engaging in unwanted behaviors. There are many different kinds of enrichment, ranging from cat trees and perches, scratching posts or cardboard scratchers, catnip, a bird feeder outside for them to watch, or an open window for them to sniff. Enrichment gives cats an outlet for their energy and prevents them from having to seek out their own entertainment, which often results in unwanted behaviors.
Tessa tried many of these techniques with Max. She provided him with more environmental enrichment by putting a cat tree in her living room. She bought a wide variety of toys to keep around the house and started making a point of playing with him every day with wand toys. She also began training by teaching him some simple tricks. Now, Max knows how to sit, spin in a circle, and wave.
Tessa has shared that the changes she made have helped prevent Max from misbehaving. He now has new outlets for his energy so that he doesn’t have to scratch the furniture or jump onto the kitchen counters. It has also had the benefit of improving Tessa and Max’s relationship. She feels that she can enjoy him more now that he isn’t so naughty, and they have bonded through playing and training together. Now that Max has outlets for his energy, he spends more time snuggling and laying on Tessa’s lap. Tessa’s newfound understanding of her furry friend has improved both of their lives and has changed their relationship for the better.
[1] Grigg, E. K., & Kogan, L. R. (2019). Owners’ attitudes, knowledge, and care practices: Exploring the implications for domestic cat behavior and welfare in the home. Animals, 9(11), 978. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani9110978
