Bad behaviour may not sound like a health problem, but it can be just as life-threatening as any chronic disease if the problem behaviours are more than even the most well-meaning owner can cope with. The key to dealing with feline behaviour problems is to remember that although cats have adapted themselves quite well to living with humans, our nicely furnished homes are not their natural environment. Many times the ‘bad’ behaviour is either just the cat behaving as he would in his natural outdoor environment or displaying his frustration at not being able to behave as his natural instincts are telling him to. Try to think like a cat and get to the root of the problem, adjusting their routine or environment as necessary, rather than getting cross and punishing (which is almost always ineffective and can actually make the problem worse).
- International Cat Carewww.icatcare.org/advice/cat-behaviour — they have a brilliant section on their website devoted to the subject.
- Cornell University Feline Health Centerwww.vet.cornell.edu/FHC/health_resources/topics.cfm — they have several excellent articles on feline behaviour problems. Bear in mind that most cats are kept indoors in the States.
- Cats Protection www.cats.org.uk/cat-care/care-leaflets/veterinary-guides — along with guides for general cat care, they also do a series of veterinary guides that include information on scratching and spraying.
- Vicky Hallswww.vickyhalls.net — a brilliant feline behaviourist, she has loads of information and useful guides on various behaviour problems in cats. She also does at-home consultations all over the country and we highly recommend her work.
- Merialwww.merial.co.uk/Cat/Pages/advice_cats.aspx — written by the company that makes our vaccines, they have handy guides on kitten behaviour and general cat care.