If there is one thing that many of us recognize about cats, it’s the fact that they are quite a mystery. We absolutely love having them around and many of us would never consider not having one in our home. That being said, however, a wide variety of cat problems do exist and some of them would require your attention in some way or another.
Typically, the various cat problems that could be experienced may be split into two different sections; cat health problems and cat behavior problems. Either of these issues can be stressful for the homeowner and could even be dangerous for the cat or any other animals that you have in the home. Recognizing these issues early gives you the opportunity to take appropriate action and allow your cat to live a happy, healthy and satisfying life.
Common Cat Behavior Problems
One of the most common issues that a cat owner is going to come up against is an issue with behavioral problems. Out of all of the different cat care tips that could be provided for you, these are often the ones that will make the biggest difference. Cat behavioral problems cause issues for the entire household. It affects everyone in the home, especially your cat. Recognizing these issues and dealing with them early is the best way to handle the situation.
Of course, many of the cat behavior problems that will make this list are going to be a matter of regular cat behavior. Cats are a very specific type of animal and they may have certain personality traits that make them more likely to show this type of behavior. That being said, when the behavior is unacceptable in your home, it is best to root it out early.
Aggression in Cats – This type of behavior may show itself in various ways. At times, it may be a problem with aggression toward humans and at other times, it could be aggression that is showed toward other animals in the home. Some cats will simply take a threatening stance, which is difficult enough, but others may actually bite or scratch. If they do it with enough force, it could cause severe injuries.
First of all, it is not uncommon for a cat or any other type of animal to show some form of aggressive behavior from time to time. As an animal, they will naturally want to defend their territory or perhaps even themselves and their offspring. It is best if you understand how to read your cat’s body language and in doing so, you will have a much better opportunity to recognize when the aggression is offensive or defensive.
If a cat is taking an offensive posture, it will likely be standing on stiff rear legs with its hind end raised and the tail stiff and held in a lowered position. They will also be staring at you and holding that gaze with their pupils constricted. The ears will be up and stiff and they may be hissing or growling.
When a cat is taking a more defensive posture, they tend to crouch with their tail either tucked under or curved around the body. Their head is likely tucked inward and their eyes are wide open as they stare at whatever is causing them to be defensive. The ears tend to go backward or sideways and are flattened and in some cases, a retraction of the whiskers is seen. Rather than squaring off at the opponent, they will likely turn slightly sideways. They may also hiss or could lash out with their front claws.
You should not mistakenly assume that all cats who exhibit this type of behavior are showing some type of aggression. This is especially true among young cats or kittens, who may just be acting out this type of behavior as a form of play. Play aggression is not dangerous and it should not necessarily be discouraged but as the cat ages, this type of behavior should be seen less and less.
If your cat is having a problem with aggressive behavior, it is important to understand why they may be experiencing the issue. This is especially true if they suddenly begin displaying aggression, seemingly out of nowhere. At times, aggression can be a problem with cats when they are in pain or feeling frustrated for some reason or another. They may direct this type of aggression at their owners or other animals in the home.
It is best if you talk to a veterinarian and work with a professional to determine why they are showing this type of aggression. In doing so, you can often get to the root of the problem and correct the issue from there. At the very least, you may be able to discover some specific ways that you can help your cat to overcome this type of behavior.
When a Cat Scratches – Scratching in cats is a very common type of behavior and it is something that they do for a wide variety of reasons. Cats may scratch because they’re marking their territory or just because they want to sharpen their claws or remove older claws. Unfortunately, this type of behavior often comes at the expense of our furniture.
There are some solutions to stop this type of behavior, at least as far as your furniture is concerned. Perhaps the best thing that can be done is to offer your cat different surfaces where they can scratch acceptably. These scratching posts can be put throughout the home. You can buy them commercially or you can make them out of a piece of wood and some carpeting or even out of cardboard with carpeting attached.
When you have a scratching post in the home, you can often add some catnip or hang toys in the area to get them interested in it. Anything that your cat may scratch regularly, such as your sofa, should be covered to discourage them from continuing that type of behavior. It may take some time and effort on your part, but it is going to be worth it in the long run.
One solution that many cat owners choose is to declaw their cats. Doing so is a personal decision, but there are some things to keep in mind when you do it.
First of all, the process of declawing a cat is not simply the removal of the claw; it is an amputation of a bone. This is a serious operation and your cat is going to experience a lot of pain while they are recovering.
If your cat goes outside for any length of time, it is best if you do not have their claws removed. The claws are a natural form of defense and you would leave them defenseless against outdoor predators.
Cat Urine Marking – Another serious issue for many homes is when a cat begins urine marking. This is a relatively common problem, with approximately one out of every 10 cats doing it at some time during their life. Urine marking is a natural form of behavior but it is a serious cat behavior problem in the home.
There are a few different options that may help to resolve this issue. One of the primary ways that it can be done is through neutering, as it may stop marking behavior with a cat that is seeking a mate. You may also want to limit how much your cat is able to see outside, because if they see neighborhood cats, it could cause marking behavior. You might also want to keep neighborhood cats away by using a motion detector on a lawn sprinkler by the windows.
If cat marking becomes a serious issue, it may be necessary to check with the veterinarian. It could be associated with anxiety or other issues that can be treated with the use of medication.
Cat Health Problems – How to Keep Your Cat Healthy
Aside from behavioral problems, you may also experience a wide range of cat health problems. Being able to recognize cat illnesses and symptoms is a very important part of owning a feline. It can go a long way in helping you to recognize when any problems exist and to care for those issues early enough so that the problem is corrected before it gets out of control.
Of course, caring for your cat’s health is not always going to be a problem with recognizing sick cat symptoms. Sometimes, it is better if you take appropriate proactive measures to avoid problems when possible.
Cat Diet and Nutrition – One thing that most cat owners learn very quickly about their feline is the fact that they can be quite finicky about food. The fact of the matter is, however, your cat is not going to be able to take care of their own feeding program, so it is up to you to choose one that is going to be right for their needs.
One of the most important things that you can do in feeding your cat properly is to understand what is actually in the cat food you are choosing. Rather than simply picking something up off of the shelf because of the fancy labeling or because you saw it in a television commercial, turn the can over and look at the ingredients label. Reading the ingredients can go a long way in helping you to choose a quality cat food. Be aware of the fact, however, that cat food is not regulated as closely as human food, so there may be things in it that are not listed on the label.
You will likely see that there are certain grains included in the commercial cat food, and this is not necessarily a bad thing. Admittedly, some people will feed their cat food that they make at home but not all of us have the opportunity or desire to do so. If you choose a quality commercial cat food that is known for being balanced, you will be well ahead of the curve.
Another issue that should be considered is how frequently your cat should be fed. Typically, a cat should be fed twice per day, once first thing in the morning and again when the sun goes down. This would be according to their natural circadian rhythm and the way that they would hunt in the wild.
Some cats will only eat the amount that they want and will leave the rest in the bowl. Other cats, however, would eat as much as you put in front of them, even nibbling throughout the day. This can cause a real problem with obesity. It may seem funny to have a cat that is chunky, but he could cause serious health problems, just as it does in humans. If you really want to give your cat a treat, consider buying some quality cat treats and giving them on occasion.
Grooming Your Cat – Another form of preventative care is to groom the cat regularly. This is something that most cat owners tend to overlook, but it can go a long way in helping to keep your cat healthy.
Not every cat is going to enjoy being groomed and some may fight you tooth and nail, if you’ll excuse the expression. That is why it is important to make the grooming sessions as fun as possible and to keep them relaxed during the process.
Brushing the cat regularly can help to keep their coat in good condition. It will remove dirt and loose hair as well as preventing tangles and spreading their natural oils throughout the coat. A long-haired cat will likely need to be brushed every day to see the most benefit but a short haircut will only need to be brushed once a week.
Cats have a reputation for cleaning themselves but sometimes, they may just need to get a bath. This can be a very stressful situation, both for the cat and for the owner. Be sure that you use shampoo that is specific for that purpose and lukewarm temperature water. It may take a little bit of practice, but you can get fairly quick with giving a cat a bath so that the trauma is over for everyone involved as quickly as possible.
It may also be beneficial to trim a cat’s nails regularly. Warm them up to the situation by massaging their feet gently for a few weeks off and on to get them accustomed to the sensation. Once they are used to the feeling, gently press the top and bottom of the foot so they extend their claws. You can then choose cat nail scissors to trim the nails. Be cautious not to cut into the pink area, known as the quick, or some bleeding could occur. If you do have a problem with bleeding, use styptic powder to stop it.
Fleas – One issue that is common but can be quite serious is a problem with fleas. It doesn’t take long for the situation get out of control, so it is best to take preventative measures.
A variety of products can be used to prevent fleas from making your cat their new home. These include various sprays and shampoos, but they are nowhere as convenient as some of the treatments that are put on the skin. These treatments can either be purchased over-the-counter or your veterinarian can provide them for you. You might also want to consider a flea collar.
If fleas have become a problem, it is best to treat your entire home. Flea eggs don’t stay on the cat in many cases, they end up in your furniture, carpeting and the comforter on your bed. When they hatch, those fleas will bite whatever is nearby, including you!
Vacuum on a daily basis, wash your bedding weekly and if necessary, call a professional to care for the flea infestation properly.
Common Sick Cat Symptoms
When a cat gets sick, they will often display symptoms in some way or another. The cat health issues that are leading to the symptoms may vary quite widely, but the symptoms may be similar to each other.
Some of the different issues that can affect your cat include cancer, diabetes, feline HIV, internal parasites (heart worms, ringworm), upper respiratory infections, rabies and feline leukemia. Of course, the list is quite long but often, it is the sick cat symptoms that will tip you off to the fact that there are health problems present.
The following are the most common symptoms that could signal cat health issues:
Appetite Changes – If your cat suddenly starts eating more or less than it typically eats, it could be a signal of a health issue.
Bad Breath – This is often a sign of tooth decay or gum disease but it could also be a problem with kidney disease or other issues as well.
Litter Box Problems – This may be classified as cat behavior problems but it is often a sign of an illness, such as a bladder infection.
Weight Change – When your cat loses or gains weight quickly, it could be a sign of a serious health problem.
Changes in Behavior – When a cat suddenly becomes antisocial or aggressive, it could be they are feeling under the weather.
Changes in Grooming – This is often a signal that a skin issue exists. It also could be a problem with parasites.
Changes in Activity – When a cat suddenly increases their activity level, it may be a problem with an overactive thyroid. If their activity decreases significantly, it could be arthritis or another problem.
Changes in Sleep – There is often an underlying cat health problem when they change their sleep patterns significantly.
Changes in Their Voice – When a cat suddenly gets quiet or vocal and it is out of character, it could signal various cat health problems
Stress – One of the cat health issues that are often overlooked is stress. If your cat is showing signs of stress, it could be any number of different problems.
When any of these issues are recognized or if there is any change in your cat that is sudden and significant, it is always best to seek the advice of a veterinarian. Although there are many different sick cat symptoms that could signal serious problems, having the health issues diagnosed and a treatment suggested will often help to rectify the situation.