If your cat starts to do something that is out of character, the first thing you should always do is speak to your vet. They may suggest a health check, which can rule out any medical problems that could cause this behaviour. Medical disorders are very common causes of behavioural issues, even if the link is not immediately clear.
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. By understanding the cause of pain, you may be able to reduce unwanted behaviours.
If your vet has ruled out any medical causes for your cat’s behaviour, there may be another cause which you can resolve with some simple changes.
To help you and your cat live in harmony, take a look at our guides to solving some common cat behaviour problems.
If you’re struggling to resolve your cat’s behaviour problems, you might find it useful to get help from a qualified cat behaviourist. They can help you understand your cat’s behaviour and provide tailored advice to address any issues. It’s usually best to seek help from a behaviourist sooner rather than later, because it can be more difficult to resolve long-standing issues.
