All Questions
928 questions
70
votes
12
answers
82k
views
How should I discipline my cat for bad behavior?
There are a couple of things that I try and prevent my cat from doing: jumping up on the kitchen counter and being mean to the dog (who is obedient and minds his own business). It's easy to catch him ...
- 1,818
59
votes
1
answer
87k
views
How much purring is too much purring?
I have an adolescent cat that I adopted as a kitten. For some time now I have noticed that he is purring a lot. I know that when giving affection this behavior is normal but my cat seems to start ...
- 1,459
47
votes
8
answers
34k
views
Is this normal first day home behavior for my kitten, or should I be concerned?
My girlfriend and I received a kitten last night from a neighbor whose cat had a litter. It's my first cat (first interactive pet), but she's had experience in the past. According to our neighbor, our ...
- 573
46
votes
6
answers
24k
views
How do I "apologise" to my cat?
How do I apologise to a cat / undo accidental actions?
Let's say, I'm going to the bathroom at night, my cat tries to weave between legs and accidentally got kicked. Or, I'm drinking water, the cat is ...
- 595
46
votes
4
answers
18k
views
Is blinking slowly at cats a way to tell them that you love them?
When I was talking to my wife last night, it came up that blinking slowly at a cat is supposed to be a way to tell them that you love them. She said that when she tried it with her parent's cats, one ...
- 15.6k
45
votes
4
answers
10k
views
Does purring tire cats?
Hope it doesn't sound like a silly question.
Context: My cat is not the most affectionate cat in the world. But sometimes she comes to search for love and to play. When I pet her, obviously, she ...
- 605
37
votes
10
answers
23k
views
Cat is tipping over bed-side lamps during the night
I've had my newest cat just a couple months. This is a female spay DSH tortie, shelter rescue, estimated age 1.5 years.
I have small tables at each head corner of my bed, holding various things on ...
- 1,477
37
votes
3
answers
38k
views
Why do cats lick plastic bags, and is there any harm in it?
Most of my cats (past and present) have liked to lick plastic trash bags and grocery bags. Assuming that they are not tearing off bits of plastic and swallowing them, but just licking, is there any ...
- 8,263
33
votes
8
answers
22k
views
My cat gets angry and scared at me if I stand
I recently (3-4 weeks ago) adopted this cat and she was incredibly scared at first. With time she warmed up to me, but she is only happy if I'm sitting down or lying down. As soon as she notices I'm ...
- 521
32
votes
6
answers
2k
views
When is declawing a viable option for cats?
We recently acquired a kitten, and we've found that in playing with her we tend to get a lot of scratches, often severe enough to draw a bit of blood. These scratches are not hostile in nature, but ...
- 885
32
votes
10
answers
5k
views
Putting a cat into a carrier
It seems to be close to impossible to put my cat into a carrier. I'm not sure whether he is afraid of closed spaces or doesn't like being restrained or what, but it requires two people to put him into ...
- 1,788
30
votes
6
answers
12k
views
My cat demands a lot of attention
I adopted a 7 year old female cat several weeks ago through an organization at a pet store. She had a litter of kittens when they found her who were adopted and she ended up at the pet store to get ...
- 301
30
votes
3
answers
8k
views
How to keep my cat stress free during periods of constant 90dB+ sound?
In India today and tomorrow is the festival of Diwali. It is the festival of light and banned firecrackers over 90 dB sound are all too common. It can be compared to war zone in Syria with constant ...
- 4,233
30
votes
3
answers
5k
views
How do I discourage my cat from biting?
I adopted an adult cat from a shelter. The cat had been seized (along with 20+ others) by Animal Control from a hoarder and there is no prior medical history. Age estimates range from 3-6 years and he ...
- 8,263
29
votes
3
answers
9k
views
How to let an indoor cat have some outdoors time safely?
I have two indoor cats that have an abundance of energy and some behavior problems. I have read that allowing the cats outside occasionally can help with this behavior. Additionally, both cats ...
- 3,493
28
votes
6
answers
112k
views
Why does my cat bring me her toy?
A few times every week, I have noticed that one of my cats would bring me her stuffed mouse-shaped toy with catnip inside it.
The living room with all the toys is downstairs, in contrast to where I ...
- 1,200
28
votes
8
answers
44k
views
How can I keep my cat from climbing on my desk?
My cat loves to climb on my desk at home. Problem is, he is constantly knocking things off (he broke a cup and a couple other things this week), and messing up stuff on my desk, bumping my monitors, ...
user53
28
votes
3
answers
1k
views
How can I train a dog to behave with a cat?
I have witnessed my neighbor's Golden Retriever misbehave with their Persian Cat. He puts the cat's tail in his mouth like a toy, removes much of the cat's hair with his mouth; essentially, he ...
- 2,117
27
votes
4
answers
16k
views
How can I tell if my cat is happy?
As a cat owner, I'd of course like to know if my cat is happy. However, most known indicators don't really apply; purring seems to happen for a variety of emotions, meowing vary greatly between ...
27
votes
2
answers
5k
views
Active wildlife outside the window- Good or Bad for Cat psychology?
At my current house, there is an active community of wild creatures in the backyard, including a variety of birds, chipmunks and squirrels, rabbits, a groundhog, and butterflies by day and lightning ...
- 1,477
27
votes
4
answers
54k
views
How can stop my adult cat from urinating in inappropriate places?
My 8 year old cat has recently began urinating in inappropriate places. How can I correct this behavior?
At first he started urinating on the floor, in a small area in the basement. I moved a litter ...
- 371
26
votes
7
answers
108k
views
How can I prevent my cat from extending his claws when being petted?
When I pet my cat, he often curls his toes, and extends / retracts his claws. I guess it's a sign that he enjoys getting petted, however this is not something I appreciate when he's lying on furniture ...
- 1,788
25
votes
1
answer
92k
views
Why does my cat like licking my armpits?
I like lying in my bed with my arms up, but my cat sometimes comes to lick my armpits. His sandpaper tongue doesn't feel that nice. I'm using a stick antiperspirant, but he usually does this in the ...
- 1,788
24
votes
3
answers
6k
views
How can I know if my cat is in pain?
When a cat is sick, it is often quite obvious to its owner, but sometimes it is not so clear. What if the cat was in terrible headache or suchlike? What are signs to look for when I suspect my cat is ...
- 5,104
23
votes
5
answers
11k
views
Cat behaving strangely for no apparent reason
Our indoor/outdoor cat of six years is being strange this week. Exhibiting the following behaviors randomly on and off:
Urinating and defecating on the floors/rugs openly (but still occasionally ...
- 433
23
votes
6
answers
5k
views
How can we prevent our cats from scratching on our chair?
My wife recently had a chair reupholstered, after the cats had damaged it to the point it was looking really shabby. When she contacted the restoration company, she found out that the chair is ...
- 9,121
23
votes
6
answers
15k
views
What can I do now that my cat is terrified of me after I broke up a fight involving her and two other pets?
I really need some help and advice. I have two cats and a dog. This morning, my dog was with me in the kitchen and one of my cats ran up to him and started attacking him. It just turned into an all ...
- 231
23
votes
5
answers
15k
views
How to get my cat to stop being annoying at night?
My cats were always allowed in the bedroom. Lately, the youngest one, who is the least affectionate and the most adventurous and most-likely to get into trouble, has been waking us up every night. He ...
- 231
23
votes
2
answers
9k
views
My cat mixes up the floors in my building. How can I help him?
My cat comes from two home cats: an English short hair father and Russian blue mother. I live in an apartment, and he enjoys walking through the corridor and sniffing everything.
The problem I have ...
- 860
23
votes
6
answers
47k
views
Is it harmful for my cat to eat bugs?
Living in a basement apartment, I get bugs; usually ants, sometimes the odd spider or centipede, etc. I keep my house as clean as I can, and put out ant traps where my cat can't get to them to control ...
user53
22
votes
2
answers
28k
views
Are cats appropriate pets if I am not home for most of the day?
I love cats, I also work a full time job and am in the office from 11 AM till 9 PM.
I would like to get a cat, but am afraid that my absence for majority of the daytime will be a problem. ...
- 323
22
votes
4
answers
84k
views
Why is my cat growling at his toys?
I have an adolescent cat that I adopted as a kitten (not this one :P ), and he growls when playing with his toys. At first I thought that he was growling at our other cat (also adopted as a kitten) ...
- 1,459
22
votes
2
answers
208k
views
Why does my cat (almost) constantly purr while he's awake?
I've heard cats purr to show contentment (though humans who want that to be true may be imagining it). WebMD suggests they purr (1) to get our attention ("feed me!"); (2) when content ("petting time")...
- 8,263
22
votes
4
answers
21k
views
Why is my cat so interested in me making the bed?
I've noticed over many years of cat ownership, a lot of my cats have a very excited interest in bedmaking. My current cat will come from any corner of the apartment when he hears me start to shake out ...
user53
21
votes
4
answers
40k
views
Why doesn't my cat like being held?
We adopted our full-grown cat when she was a couple of months old. She has never shown any signs of having been ill-treated prior to our ownership of her.
The problem is that whenever I grab my cat ...
21
votes
6
answers
10k
views
Cat digs litter out of the box
My cat is a bit too tenacious in digging in his litter box. Not matter how clean it is, no matter how much litter is inside, he spends quite some time digging it, both before and after doing his ...
- 1,788
21
votes
6
answers
4k
views
How can I teach my cat that the middle of the night is not the time to play fetch?
Somewhere in his life, my cat determined he really loves to play fetch. Usually this is not a problem - he brings me a toy, I throw it, he brings it back, I throw it again, repeat as necessary (...
user53
21
votes
2
answers
30k
views
Why do cats tuck their heads when sleeping?
I've noticed this with my cats over the years and with the cats of friends and family. Quite often, though not always, the cat will tuck their head down and under, perhaps into a pillow, a gap in a ...
- 20.4k
21
votes
6
answers
4k
views
Laser pointer: does a no-win situation risk psychological harm to cats?
When using a laser pointer to play with the cats, I've always been careful to end the session by giving them a physical toy to play with. I've assumed, without any actual basis, that putting them in ...
- 8,263
20
votes
7
answers
11k
views
Cat Keeps Drinking Unattended Drinks
I have a ~4 year old cat of uncertain breed. For as long as I can remember, he's had the rather unfortunate habit of drinking out of cups containing water instead of his own water bowl. Considering ...
- 303
20
votes
6
answers
3k
views
How can I train my cat to not jump on the kitchen counters?
My cat jumps onto our kitchen counters frequently, sometimes causing major accidents. What is the best way to break that habit? Would I need one of those electric shocker things?
- 3,271
20
votes
11
answers
96k
views
How can I prevent my cat from chewing up the carpet?
My cat loves to bite and pull at the carpet everywhere there is a seam (between rooms, patches, etc). I've tried squirting him with water, but now he just runs away if I even move while he's doing it....
- 304
20
votes
1
answer
36k
views
Why does my cat hold its mouth slightly open sometimes after smelling something?
On occasion, my cat will sit there with its mouth open, usually after smelling something new.
It looks similar to panting, but without the heavy breathing or a protruding tongue.
What is the reason ...
- 9,121
19
votes
6
answers
57k
views
Why does my cat come to me when I'm sitting on the toilet?
Whenever I sit on the toilet, my cats come to me and rest at my feet. Why? Do they miss something?
19
votes
3
answers
18k
views
Why do cats hate riding in cars?
Whenever we need to take one our cats in the car (usually to the vets, but not always), the in-car drama is quite intense with a yowling and even vomiting (rare for short durations). Why do cats, ...
- 20.4k
19
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Why do cats enjoy playing in cardboard boxes?
Whenever I bring a box home, or I get a package in the mail, both of my cats immediately have to inspect it thoroughly. As soon as it's empty, they'll be playing games with it: jumping in and out, ...
- 15.6k
19
votes
3
answers
23k
views
My cat has uncontrollable twitching on her back near her tail
My cat has been having an issue where she is clearly agitated and looks like she is trying to run away from her own fur. It will start with appearing very agitated, meowing, and twitching her tail and ...
- 191
19
votes
3
answers
37k
views
How does a cat's personality change by having kittens?
I'm pretty sure that having kittens (and nursing them, etc) changes a female cat both physically and mentally. Exactly how it changes the cat is not quite clear to me. To me a female cat that has had ...
- 5,104
19
votes
2
answers
2k
views
How to get cats to coexist in peace?
My cat is a big neutered male and my sister's cat is a small female. Both cats are three years old. When my sister is away on holidays I have to take care of both cats. Unfortunately, they hiss at ...
- 1,788
18
votes
11
answers
7k
views
Should I let my cat go outside?
I got a 6 months male who has been used to freely wander outside in the countryside.
I'm wondering about letting him go outside. I live at the second floor and share a balcony with my neighbor (a ...
- 291