Pet Talk

If you interact with your cat daily, you may observe some peculiar habits. The first step to understanding your cat is to realize that much of its behavior stems from natural instincts.

Cats in the wild don’t have nail clippers. They sharpen dull claws by scratching trees. They also scratch to mark their territory and while they stretch.

It’s impossible to stifle a cat’s need to scratch, but you can refocus their energy. If your cats have enough appropriate places to scratch, they won’t use your furniture, carpet or drapes.

Dozens of scratching posts are sold on the market in a variety of materials, such as carpeting, wood, cardboard and rope. They don’t have to be expensive. Some are vertical; others lay horizontally on the ground.

Every cat has preference, so experiment with a few types until you learn which is your cat’s favorite scratching post. Then stockpile these all over the house.

Cats are inherently nocturnal. The ancestor of all domesticated cats, the African wildcat, is mostly active once the sun sets. Even an adult cat that sleeps through the night with you will wake a few times to play, eat and walk around. You can even feed them just before your bedtime, because most cats become very sleepy after a big meal.

Cats keep themselves as clean as possible. They despise a dirty litter box and will avoid eliminating in one. If your cats refuse to use the litter box, first take a look at their litter box. If you have more than one cat, have more than one. The ASPCA recommends you have one litter box per cat and one extra; two cats should have three litter boxes.

If you have the proper number of litter boxes, examine the cleanliness of the boxes. Scoop out the litter at least once a day and clean the entire box with warm water and replace the litter once a week. Cats tend to like a litter box in a quiet, open location with more than one potential exit.

Meowing is one way that cats communicate with people; in fact, adult cats don’t meow at each other, according to the ASPCA. Certain breeds, notably Siamese, are known to vocalize more than others.

Cats meow to say hello to us, get attention, to get food or water and go in or out. When you meet their needs in response to their meow, they learn that it inspires action in their owner, so the behavior continues. If your cat meows excessively, however, it could be a sign of an underlying medical problem. So take your cat to a veterinarian for a diagnosis. Don’t yell or hit your cat for meowing, the ASPCA recommends. It’s not likely to quiet the cat, and might make the cat fear you, the nonprofit warns.

From kitten to adults, cats knead their claws. It’s a sign that they are comfortable and happy. Kneading can be painful for the owner, however. So keep an extra blanket or a pillow handy as a buffer between your cat’s sharp claws and your skin.

Cats may also butt or bump their heads against you; it’s a display of love and possession, which lets other cats know you are taken. They have glands in their heads that secrete pheromones, a chemical secretion.

They also have scent glands in their heads and along their bodies. When they rub these areas on you, furniture or any other objects, they’re marking their territory and signaling to other animals that those items belong to him.

As to biting, watch for warning signs such as quickly turning its head toward a person’s hand; twitching or flipping the tail; flattening ears or rotating them forward and back; restlessness; or dilating pupils.

Cats that attack your feet as you walk by are probably bored and looking for stimulation. They may not have enough toys to play with or may want new ones. These cats can also benefit from having a feline companion to play with. For short-term relief, notice where your cat enjoys pouncing on you. As you reach the pounce area, toss a few toys in front of you. The cat will run after the toys, and you can pass by unscathed.

These are just a few of the ways cats reconcile their instinct in a human household. By spending time bonding with your cats, you’ll be able to pick up how they communicate needs and feelings to you.