If you've ever had a cat for a pet, you know that cats behavior can be quite mysterious. It is a common error to try to analyze cats behavior in light of ours. In most cases where there is a lack of cat control, it is due to our assuming things incorrectly with respect to a life form which differs significantly from us.

Humans are not pure carnivores or predators but cats are. They play and eat and behave the way they do as part of their history of living as hunting creatures in the wild. Too many humans try seeing cats behavior in human terms and understanding and this causes conflict. We would never expect an elephant to act the same way that a parakeet does, but many cat owners expect their pets to act human.

One area of differences is the area of discipline. While some animals may learn from physical punishment, slapping a cat will only cause more issues. A cat will recognize an attack as aggression and will fight back., which only aggravates the problem. Telling the cat "No" and moving it away from the problem is an intermediate option. The most effective approach is positive reinforcement of good behavior.

Sometimes cats act a little crazy, but a lot of these behaviors come from their instincts. When they spray urine, they are marking their territory and protecting their breeding group. Of course, people do not appreciate such behaviors. Training can work, but if you are not planning on breeding your cat the best choice is neutering.

If you are concerned about your cat scratching furniture or your pants, there are several products available for your feline friend. Cats work hard to keep their claws trim and sharp and need to be trained to only use scratching boxes or posts. Your veterinarian can assist you in selecting the best scratching products and toys to aid in protecting your furniture and clothing.

Cats also like to stalk prey and toy with them after capture, so toys that are safe to bite and chew on often treated with catnip help dispel this energy. If your cat goes outdoors, sooner or later it will probably bring you the "gift" of a fresh kill. You don't need to praise the cat, but this is actually a mark of respect no matter how disgusting and the cat should not be punished for following an instinct. Even indoor cats will sometime award you a bug or mouse.

Before ever assuming that a cat is behaving badly, do some reading on their natural instincts and behavior so you understand how a cat thinks instead of how human expect a cat to think. There will always be a bit of that wild lion or tiger in your purring little puff ball so it is better to learn to work with their instincts rather than to pretend they don't exist.