Signs your cat may have a problem
If your cat is stressed or afraid, you might notice them:
- Grooming themselves a lot more than usual
- Hiding
- Looking tense, such as being hunched when sleeping or resting
- Changing their feeding and/or toileting habits
Spraying indoors
If your cat is in pain or frightened, you might also notice them:
- Adopting new, unwanted habits, such as aggression
Spending more time away and/or avoiding avoiding people
If any of these symptoms become an on-going problem, speak to a vet or clinical animal behaviourist.
Cat behaviour: spraying
Cats use urine as a scent signal or ‘mark’ for themselves and to communicate with other cats in their territory. ‘Entire’ (unneutered) male cats are particularly active, using it to communicate with rival males and potential mates, although both male and female cats have the ability to spray.
However, spraying may be due to anxiety or stress. Many things can cause this, such as building work, threats from neighbouring cats, or a new cat in the household.
Spraying behaviour is very different from urinating. To spray, the cat stands up, usually making a treading motion with the hindlegs, tail upright and quivering. Cats commonly spray close to the door or window.
While neutering may help prevent the development or onset of spraying behaviour, it can also be linked with health and behaviour problems. Here are a few things to try:
- Speak to your vet. They will check that your cat is healthy and rule out any urinary problems, and can refer you to a clinical animal behaviourist if they believe it’s a behavioural issue.
- Make sure your cat can reach all the things they need (bed, water, litter or outdoors) without having to pass things or other animals that may scare them.
- Make sure that your cat has constant access to safe hiding places where they can escape if feeling afraid.
- Stay calm. A strong reaction to the spraying behaviour may increase your cat’s fear and anxiety and so make it more likely that it'll happen again.
- Don’t use strong-scented products to remove the mark – these may encourage more marking behaviour. Instead, clean the area with one part biological washing powder mixed with nine parts water before rinsing with water, then treat with diluted surgical spirit and allow to dry naturally.
How to keep your cat happy
Here are some ways you can help keep your cat happy and reduce the risk of them developing problematic behaviour.
- Make sure they can reach everything they need – cats can get scared easily, so make sure they can reach everything they need (such as their bed, water, litter or outdoors) without passing things or other animals that may frighten them.
- Give them some hiding places – if your cat is scared with no place to escape and hide, they may become aggressive. Make sure they have constant access to safe hiding places where they can escape if they feel afraid.
- Keep them active – cats sleep for many hours of the day, but when they're awake they need opportunities to exercise. If they don't go outside, provide suitable indoor activities to keep them active.
- Give them a scratching post – cats naturally use objects to scratch, mark territory, strengthen muscles and sharpen their claws. Make sure they have sturdy scratching posts that are tall enough for them to use fully stretched (this is particularly important for indoor cats).
- Give them toys – play is a good way for your cat to be active and have fun. Provide safe toys and regular opportunities for them to play alone and with people. Puzzle feeders or hiding dried food are both good ways to entertain your cat at meal times.
Kindness is key! Never shout at or punish your cat, as they're very unlikely to understand and can become more nervous or scared.
Take a look at our video and learn how to make a fun new toy for your cat!
Preventing your cat from hunting wildlife
A cat's natural instinct is to hunt its prey, but there's a real concern that domestic cats are impacting the welfare of local wildlife. To help prevent your cat bringing home unwanted surprises, and to protect local wildlife, we recommend:
- Keeping them inside at dusk and dawn when wildlife is most active, at least an hour before sunset and an hour after sunrise.
- Keeping them inside after bad weather such as rain, to allow birds to come out and feed.
Attaching a bell to a quick-release safety collar.
Understanding your cat's body language
A cat's body language can be subtle, so it's not always easy to accurately read how they're feeling. To understand your cat's psychology, look at their eyes, tail, mouth and posture and use this guide to help you recognise important body language signals.
A happy cat
These cats are relaxed and happy.
Cat is standing
A relaxed body posture, ears are in a natural position, tail is held upright with the tip of the tail curved, eyes are normal shape, mouth is closed.
Cat is lying down
The belly is exposed, body posture is relaxed, body is stretched out, ears are in a natural position, eyes may be partly closed, mouth is closed.
Cat is sitting
The body posture is relaxed, tail is held out loosely from body, ears are in natural position, eyes are a normal shape, mouth is closed.
A worried cat
These cats are telling you that they're uncomfortable and don't want you near them.
Cat is in a crouched position
A relaxed body posture, ears are in a natural position, tail is held upright with the tip of the tail curved, eyes are normal shape, mouth is closed.
Cat is worried
Cats who are worried or anxious may hide.
An angry or very unhappy cat
These cats aren't happy and want you to stay away or go away.
Cat is lying down
Its body is flattened, ears are flattened to the head, pupils are dilated, tail is held tightly into body, body is tense, limbs are held tight and close to body.
Cat is lying down
Its body is flattened, ears are flattened to the head and drawn back, body is slightly rolled over to one side, pupils are dilated, mouth is open and tense, teeth are showing.
Cat is standing
Its back is arched, body is held sideways, hair is raised, posture is tense, front paw is slightly lifted off the ground (ready to swipe if needed), ears are lowered and pointing out to the side, mouth is open and tense, teeth are showing, tail is tense.
If you're concerned about your cat's behaviour, speak to your vet first. They may refer you to an animal behaviourist.
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