How to Break Your Cat of Bad Habits

1 Fixing Common Cat Behavior Problems

The complaints owners make most about cats are inappropriate litter box habits, furniture scratching, and aggression. Most of these problems stem from normal feline behavior. Fortunately for cat owners, most are solvable or preventable. A little patience and enough understanding let you see things from your cat’s point of view, so you and your feline friend can share a long, fulfilling life.

1. Litter Box Habits

Because most cats prefer to eliminate in their own spot, place the litter box where it is easy to reach but away from heavy foot traffic. Recesses or corners of a room work well. Also, keep the litter box away from the cat’s feeding or sleeping area to avoid sending mixed signals.

Cats are generally fastidious animals that groom themselves and bury their waste. Show your kitten the litter box and demonstrate scratching the litter, and it will usually learn quickly.

One certainty: your cat prefers a clean litter box. A box that is easy to scoop is the top choice for most cats. Scoop urine and feces from the box daily and replace the entire contents periodically. Then wash the box with warm soapy water and rinse thoroughly. A litter box liner may reduce cleaning time but can deter some cats from using the box.

Many litters are available, including clay and plant-based types. Some cats reject certain litters while others have different preferences. Find the product that works best for your cat.

Provide one properly sized box per cat, plus one extra. If your kitten is very small, make sure the box is not too deep so it can climb in and out easily. Once it grows, switch to a deeper box to stop it kicking litter out. If the box is too small, your cat may refuse to use it, or may urinate on the edge rather than inside.

Litter boxes can be covered or open. If you use a covered box, make sure your cat can enter and exit easily. Ideally the covered box has overlapping seams so spilled urine does not leak out. But remember, some cats will not use a covered box, nor an open box placed under tightly hung brooms or mops.

If your cat starts having accidents outside the box, the first step is a visit to your veterinarian to rule out any health problem causing the accidents. Once the cat is confirmed healthy, your vet can advise on addressing the behavior.

2. Scratching

A cat’s instinctive urge to scratch has ruined much furniture, such as sofas—one reason many owners consider having their cats declawed. But a few simple tips about scratching will help protect your furniture and spare your cat from declawing.

Scratching removes the nail sheath, the outer layer of dead cells on the claw. It also serves as a visual and scent marker of territory. Cats naturally scratch trees and prominent objects in their territory. If they lack suitable outlets indoors, they will choose your belongings, so provide an attractive scratching post—one your cat finds irresistible. A post covered in sisal rope is best. Carpet covering looks nice but works poorly. The post should be tall enough for the cat to stretch fully and stable; short, wobbly posts are no good.

Introduce the scratching post through simple play. Praise and reward your cat for using it. If it scratches another object instead, give a mild correction immediately, such as a loud clap or a firm ‘No!’

3. Aggression

The most common aggressive behavior is rehearsal of adult roles during growth. This rehearsal can include hunting, stalking, and fighting. A young cat may hide in a corner, then stalk, chase, and ambush a person or another cat. Kittens normally play with each other, their mother, and moving objects. If mother and toys are absent, they may turn their attention to human arms and legs.

Teaching a kitten how to play properly from the start is important. If possible, bring home two kittens so they play with each other. If not, redirect the kitten’s attention to ‘interesting’ toys such as a long string (never let it swallow the string) or a ping-pong ball, which helps reduce hiding behavior.

Many people mistake playful behavior for serious aggression. A playful cat stays quiet even when ‘attacking’ and usually does not break the skin. A severely aggressive and potentially dangerous cat will hiss or growl often and bite harder. If a cat shows such serious behavior, you can defend yourself with a spray bottle. But never hit the cat—this is strongly discouraged, as it easily triggers a defensive reaction that can lead to further aggression.