Happy New Year! Are you making resolutions for 2023? Figuring our feline overlords out is one that we suspect many humans would like to achieve this year. Fluffy can be quite confusing! However, some of her quirks do make sense when you understand a bit more about kitty behavior. Learning more about your furball can also help with resolving behavioral issues, which is another worthy goal. An Eau Claire, WI vet offers some insight into our furry pals below.

Anxiety

While some cats are bold and fearless, others are quite shy and scared. If your kitty falls into the latter category, it’s very important for you to make her feel safe and secure. Offer a hiding spot, such as a pet condo, in every room. Regular play sessions can also help, both by giving Fluffy an outlet for unleashing her angst and also by helping her feel more confident. 

Aggression

Cats can become aggressive for many reasons. Sometimes it’s a reaction to feeling cornered or threatened. Fluffy can also be quite territorial, so she may lash out if she spots another kitty on her terf. Misplaced rage, boredom, loneliness, and discomfort from parasites and/or other medical issues are also possibilities. Another thing that can set kitties off? Roommates! Make sure that your feline pal doesn’t have to compete for attention or resources, and offer her plenty of toys to take her anger out on. Don’t punish your furry friend for lashing out, though: that will only make her feel threatened. This can be even more of an issue if you reprimand your cat near her litterbox, as she may form a bad association with it, which will make her avoid it even more. 

Litterbox Avoidance

This can sometimes be a medical issue, so we recommend having Fluffy checked by a vet. Also, if you’ve recently switched to a new litter, or perhaps moved or replaced her litterbox, try putting things back the way they were. If you have more than one kitty, you’ll need more than one litterbox. Cats hate sharing bathrooms! There’s also a very significant don’t here. Never punish your feline buddy for accidents: that will only make her more anxious, and could actually cause her to become afraid of her litterbox, which will make matters worse. 

Happy New Year! Please contact us, your Eau Claire, WI pet clinic, anytime. We’re here to help!