Cats who misbehave may just be exhibiting normal cat behaviour
If your cat's behaviour changes, it could be a sign that they're stressed, scared or sick - and you should see your vet straight away
Never punish your cat for 'misbehaving' as it will never help - but may stress your cat more
You have a legal duty of care to meet your cat's needs, including their need to exhibit normal behaviours
You can help to reduce unwanted behaviours by understanding the causes of cat behaviours such as spraying, scratching and fighting and then trying to treat the cause
Is your cat trying to tell you something?
Some of the typical cat behaviours that we don't like are actually perfectly normal, while others indicate that your cat is stressed, scared, sick or in pain.
Punishing your cat will only make these problems worse.
If your cat starts doing something new, different or out of character, this could be their way of telling you that something is wrong.
Medical disorders often cause behavioural changes. You should take your cat to the vet as soon as they exhibit different behaviours and discuss your cat's behaviour and your concerns with the vet.
Cats are good at hiding their pain, so it can be hard to tell if they're suffering.
Instead of limping, for example, they might show slight changes in their behaviour or mood. There are many different medical problems that cause discomfort and varying intensities of pain.
If you notice any change in your cat's behaviour, lifestyle or interactions, take them to the vet for a health check. By treating pain you can greatly improve their quality of life.
Signs of pain include:
becoming more withdrawn or hiding more than usual
sleeping more than usual, especially in one place, or slowing down
becoming less tolerant of people or being handled
aggressive behaviour
hesitating or becoming reluctant to jump up or down from furniture, or use the cat flap
being stiff after resting or showing a preference for using a particular leg when going up or down stairs
crouching in a hunched up position with squinty eyes
playing less, or interacting with you less
eating or drinking less
disturbed sleep
increased anxiety or fear
scruffy or matted coat, particularly in hard to reach areas
vocalisation, especially when moving or using the litter tray
not using the litter tray
over-grooming
purring - some cats will purr when in pain
Signs of stress
It's not always easy to tell if your cat is stressed, because signs of stress can be subtle and cats can be good at hiding their feelings. By understanding the causes of stress, you may be able to reduce the stress your cat feels, which can in turn reduce unwanted behaviours.
Cats can get stressed for a variety of reasons, including:
moving house
change of routine
bullying or intimidation by neighbouring cats - or other cats in your home
addition of a new child, pet or partner
unfamiliar visitors
unsuitable placement of food, water or litter trays
Signs of stress include:
becoming more withdrawn or hiding more than usual
appearing to sleep more - some cats will pretend to be asleep while monitoring something that is stressing them
becoming less tolerant of people or being handled
becoming less keen to use resources such as window sills, furniture, your lap, the litter tray or the cat flap
crouching in a hunched up position with squinty eyes, or recoiling if you try to approach
The advice on these pages is intended to help you encourage positive behaviours and help you deal with some behavioural issues. However, every cat is unique and the causes of some behaviours can be difficult to identify.
