6 Things That Are Offending Your Cat

1. Staring
Direct eye contact is perceived as a sign of aggression between cats, and they can read your loving stare as a similar threat. Instead, give your cat a long slow blink to show your affection.

2. Over-petting
Petting stimulates a cat’s nervous system, and while some cats can’t get enough pets, others have a definite limit. It’s not that they don’t like you; it’s just that they feel stimulus-overloaded. If your cat walks away after one or two pets, give them that space and let them come back to you when they are ready. Sensitive cats would prefer to be pet on their sides, instead of down their spine.

3. Poor Litter Box Placement
You want the litter box in the basement; your cat wants it in the kitchen. We wish we were joking—your cat wants his litter box right beside you, like in the kitchen or beside the couch. Find a middle ground. Hiding your cat’s litter box away will only increase the chance of improper elimination behaviours, so think carefully about where you put the box. For your cat, the higher traffic area, the better. Find a compromise you can both live with.

4. Lazy Litter Box Cleaning
We all get lazy sometimes, but keeping the litter box clean is an important part of being a cat owner. Clean the boxes once a day, regularly change out and refresh the litter, and keep the area around the box unobstructed, and you’ll have a happy cat.

5. Cutting Off Playtime at the Wrong Moment
When you play with your cat using a wand toy or mouse, you are helping her satisfy her hunting instincts. If you dangle the toy in front of your cat, but don’t let her complete a “kill,” she’ll be frustrated and unsatisfied. Read more about how to play with your cat properly in Cat Whisperer Mieshelle Nagelschneider’s article “The All Important Play Sequence.” Find this must-read at moderncat.com/play-sequence.

6. When Your House is Too Dull (for them)
Cats are natural climbers—they not only hunt in trees, but also use them to view their domain from on high and to evade predators. Give your cats vertical spaces designed especially for them and encourage them to use them. Whether they like climbing or surveying their territory, your cats will definitely appreciate it!