Cats can purr proudly and be contented as the most well known pet in the country whether you've heard it or not. Cats have surpassed dogs as favorites as many people liked their special personalities and their ability to care for themselves. However, many cat owners and non cat owners are worried about cat behavior problems.

Cat lovers are quite aware that these little animals are still strong and excitable and without care can revert to the wild predators they come from. Understanding the instinctive behaviors and adjusting to them can prevent getting a cat scratch or bite that can be dangerous as well as painful.

Many of the cat behavior problems that bother humans are natural urges for the domestic cat. When kittens play and use their teeth and claws, they are only showing the aggression they would use in the wild to hunt and kill food. Since domestic cats don't need to hunt for their food, this behavior needs to be modified when the kitten grows up.

Young cats can be shown how to retract their claws and not scratch people when they're playing around. With regard to training: the younger, the better. There are all sorts of harmless ways to allow a cat's "attack and kill" instincts to be expressed. Catnip playthings and imitation mice are one way of sparing real creatures and also give the cat the opportunity to get some exercise. Feathered playthings are excellent distractions from the hunting of actual birds.

Spraying is a natural cat behavior, but one that can be exceedingly annoying to cat owners. A cat sprays urine and the excretions of the scent glands in order to show his dominance over his territory. Unfortunately, the borders he sets will most likely be your walls and furniture. Spraying problems can be alleviated with special sprays, behavior training, or by neutering the kitty.

Sometimes urinating outside the litter box is not spraying at all. Some cat behavior problems are really health issues. A cat may wet your carpet or bed because it is angry or stressed, but this may mean a serious urinary tract problem, diabetes or another serious medical condition. It can also mean the litter box is not clean enough to suit a finicky feline, so check that first, but when a previously fastidious cat has "accidents" always get a veterinary check up.