Changing Cat Behaviors

10/11/2018

Territorial Fur Siblings

Things got a little dicey around here with the kitties recently. Haku (who has always been the dominant one) suddenly began doing his best to keep ShiShi away from my bedroom - a most unhappy turn of events. It took several weeks for me to catch on to what was happening too - partly because a first his behaviors mostly looked kind of cute on the surface, but they weren't cute at all once my cat-besotted eyes opened to the problem.

To be fair, Haku's behavior really did resemble the whisker kisses that those two have always given each other when they've been apart. But, this time it actually was Haku laying his 'big boss cat' scent on her head by licking her whenever possible, irritating her into moving along if she was sitting or laying down, and finally chasing her to the other end of the house whenever he could instigate it. He also began guarding the bedroom door, and would instantly lay claim to any spot in the room where she had happened to sit.

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The Fighting Fix

Needless to say, once I figured this all out I was NOT happy - but I also wasn't sure what needed to be done. It took some 'think-like-a-cat' time before it all came together in my head. Or, in this case, think-like-Haku time. And what does that cat care most about (besides cuddles?!) FOOD!

Both kitties have always been fed (twice a day, raw diet) in my bedroom - it was easiest to feed them there for various reasons. Only now the always-insecure Haku was guarding the source of all his favorite foods, and making ShiShi completely depressed and anxious in the process. Not to mention ruining my evening quiet time with both of them. I crossed my fingers that changing the food dynamic would change the behavior.

So, I instituted Plan Bring ShiShi Back to the Bedroom- a double-pronged attack on the behavioral issues at play. First, I moved the cat tree that Haku is always served his meals on into my dining room - instantly taking away his biggest reason to guard the bedroom. Then I worked on creating a space near my bed that ShiShi would love, but feel 100% safe from her pain in the fluff-butt brother. Since Haku is hampered at climbing and jumping by his club foot, I made a window perch that can only be accessed by climbing a rope-covered log. Then I sprinkled it generously with catnip and treats to let ShiShi know that it was now her own special spot.

And... The Plan worked! Haku only rarely guards my bedroom now, ShiShi adores her Haku-free view at the window seat, and I have a two-cat bedroom again. Amazingly, moving Haku's food station also seems to have changed the cat dynamic overall - *gasp* ShiShi's been scaling his cat tree to check out his food while he eats, and Haku is instigating chases around the house much less frequently.

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Dorothy's Pawsitive Training

If you're wondering if all these positive reinforcement/fix the cat surroundings ideas could work on cats other than ShiShi and Haku? The answer is definitely yes!

Environmental Change Win: When cutie pie Dorothy was first rescued from the streets, she would sometimes do her business on the lid of the litterbox. Her mom tried filling the litter higher, lower, scooping it out twice a day, once a day... You get the idea! Eventually though, after some great advice at the pet store, she bought a bigger litterbox with a wider mouth and hasn't had to deal with sticky smelly messes ever since. Dorothy was just communicating a problem, and her mom did a fantastic job listening.

Positive Reinforcement BONUS - And here's another great story that her mom sent: I’m a first time cat owner and at first was very skittish about petting or holding my kitten because she would bite or scratch me whenever I attempted to touch her. After reading a few cat training articles on lovecatbox.com, I started to offer her treats whenever I want to reinforce a positive behavior and this is working! Thank you!

If you want to know more about Dorothy and her story, you can check out her special post on her mom's blog at https://moggyacademy.com/dorothy/ or find her on Instagram @thedorothydiaries ❤

Training Tips

The success that I had with ShiShi and Haku's territorial problems, and the great results that Dorothy's owner had with her, are completely repeatable with other cats. It all comes down to positive reinforcement of good behavior, and being willing to make changes in environment or people habits when a cat starts exhibiting 'bad' behavior. Normally, that behavior just means that the cat is stressed in one way or another, and is acting in the best way it knows to relieve the stress.

1. Try to 'think like a cat' - try to figure out, if you were that cat, what could possibly make you act in the way that they are. Or, if you have kids, maybe try thinking like a toddler, or a teen!

2. Be willing to make changes yourself too. Most cats really are pretty flexible, but if your furry friend is sending you an unhappy message, chances are that there is a good reason for it and a physical change on your part may be needed to get the behavior change that you are looking for.

3. Positive reinforcement every time! Whenever your kitty actually does something that you wanted heap on the praise, and don't be afraid to pull out the treats.

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