Whenever someone asks me about a behavior problem, I always ask them to do a simple exercise...it takes only a second or two and can make a big difference in how we look at behavioral issues. *grin* Ok, here goes:
1) Make a fist.
2) Closely examine the size of your fist.
3) Realize that your fist is about the same size as a normal cat's head would be.
4) Adjust the size somewhat, allowing for the facial structure of a normal-sized cat.
5) Now think about how much space would be allowed for a brain.
6) Realize that a brain that small doesn't have room for reasoning abilities.
*smile*
Most of the time, behavioral problems can be linked to one or both of the following reasons: Health issues, or environmental issues.
When kitty isn't feeling well, he can't very well just walk up to you and whine, "Mom! I don't FEEEEEL good!". So, he shows you by changing his behavior in some way...all of us know about going off normal feeding routines, or lethargy...but even inappropriate litter box habits or unexplained aggression can mean a health problem.
As for environment, cats do not "think to themselves" how fun it would be to do something inappropriate to get back at us for leaving them alone all day - even if it does sometimes appear that way. *smile* The fact is that cats, especially young, healthy cats, left alone all day get bored and need activities, so they find some. Often, we disagree with their choices.
Nor do they appreciate their environments being changed...as small a thing as it may seem to you or I, even something like moving the furniture around or bringing in a new piece can be intimadating to our fur-faces who are very much creatures of a hard and fast routine, and dislike changes made by someone other than themselves.
Cats don't wear watches nor are they able to tell time even if it does appear they do/can. Instead, they develop a normal routine. When this routine is changed abruptly, problems can and do occur.
So, when trying to determine what a certain behavior actually means - remember the fist exercise and think, "Is this health-related? Have there been any changes to the environment or routines?". And try not to put a human spin on it. Most all of the time, there isn't an "ulterior motive", no matter how often we think we witness the little free-loaders laughing at us behind our backs. *grin*
My continued best to all with behavioral issues,
Gaye
1) Make a fist.
2) Closely examine the size of your fist.
3) Realize that your fist is about the same size as a normal cat's head would be.
4) Adjust the size somewhat, allowing for the facial structure of a normal-sized cat.
5) Now think about how much space would be allowed for a brain.
6) Realize that a brain that small doesn't have room for reasoning abilities.
*smile*
Most of the time, behavioral problems can be linked to one or both of the following reasons: Health issues, or environmental issues.
When kitty isn't feeling well, he can't very well just walk up to you and whine, "Mom! I don't FEEEEEL good!". So, he shows you by changing his behavior in some way...all of us know about going off normal feeding routines, or lethargy...but even inappropriate litter box habits or unexplained aggression can mean a health problem.
As for environment, cats do not "think to themselves" how fun it would be to do something inappropriate to get back at us for leaving them alone all day - even if it does sometimes appear that way. *smile* The fact is that cats, especially young, healthy cats, left alone all day get bored and need activities, so they find some. Often, we disagree with their choices.
Nor do they appreciate their environments being changed...as small a thing as it may seem to you or I, even something like moving the furniture around or bringing in a new piece can be intimadating to our fur-faces who are very much creatures of a hard and fast routine, and dislike changes made by someone other than themselves.
Cats don't wear watches nor are they able to tell time even if it does appear they do/can. Instead, they develop a normal routine. When this routine is changed abruptly, problems can and do occur.
So, when trying to determine what a certain behavior actually means - remember the fist exercise and think, "Is this health-related? Have there been any changes to the environment or routines?". And try not to put a human spin on it. Most all of the time, there isn't an "ulterior motive", no matter how often we think we witness the little free-loaders laughing at us behind our backs. *grin*
My continued best to all with behavioral issues,
Gaye