Cats are among the most popular pets on the planet, known far and wide for their independent nature and amusing antics. They’ve brought a lot of joy into people’s lives for many years, and owning a cat can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience for people of all ages. However, there are cases when owning a cat can cause some problems too.
A well-behaved cat won’t cause too many issues. They’re quite calm creatures, sleeping for many hours each day and not bothering their owners too much. However, some cats can develop behavioral problems, which may include cat aggression towards the owner, aggression towards other cats and animals, yowling, meowing, hissing, and urinating in the house.
These kinds of cat problems can be very difficult to deal with. In fact, the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine states that many owners actually feel forced to surrender their cats when cat behavioral issues appear, noting that “27 percent of cats relinquished to shelters for behavioral reasons were surrendered for aggression”.
Fortunately, there are ways to deal with cat behavior problems. Whether you’re dealing with cat aggression towards other cats, cats aggression towards the owner, a cat that is being very noisy, a cat that is peeing or spraying around the house, or some other issue, options exist to help both you and your feline friend. This guide will look at causes and treatments for cat behavior.
Cat Behavior Issues, Causes, and Examples
There is a wide range of cats behavior issues that owners may have to deal with at some stage or another. There are also many potential causes of these problems, as outlined below.
- Feline Nature – One of the most common reasons behind certain cat behaviors is the fact that they’re simply part of feline nature. Cats may be domesticated, but many still have a bit of wildness in them and can naturally bite, scratch, and mark their territory. In some cases, therefore, it’s important for owners to accept that their cats can be a little unpredictable.
- Stress and Anxiety – Just like people, cats can experience stress and anxiety, and this is actually a very common cause of unprovoked aggression in cats, as well as other behavioral problems. All kinds of things can make cats anxious, like reminders of past traumas, loud noises, the presence of strange people and animals around them, and so on.
- Mistreatment – Cats that are mistreated or have been mistreated in the past will also be likely to develop behavioral problems like cat aggression toward the owner. Naturally, when animals are mistreated, they can respond by trying to defend themselves or get scared and stressed. Even when cats are adopting by new, loving owners, some of the memories of their trauma can remain and cause problems.
- Pain and Illness – Cats don’t tend to show us when they’re in pain or feeling ill in the same way that a dog or other animal would. They don’t whine or cry, and they often act quite normally but may start to develop some strange behaviors. International Cat Care explains “As with all behavior problems, the cat’s health should be checked to ensure it is not motivated by pain or illness.”
These are just some of the causes behind cats behavior problems, and the behavioral issues themselves can manifest in many forms. Here are a few common examples:
- Aggression Towards Cats – Having two or more cats in the home can be very pleasant, when they get along. However, some cats can be very territorial and attack other cats in the home.
- Aggression Towards People – As well as being aggressive towards other cats, some felines show aggression towards humans too. This can be in the form of scratching, biting, and hissing.
- Yowling and Meowing – Another common issue with cats is when they can meow or yowl very loudly, often at night or early in the morning.
- Scratching Furniture – Some cats may scratch or attack items of furniture like sofas and chairs. This can be a way to express boredom or try to play, but it can ruin the appeal of a home.
- Litter Box Issues – Some cats may not use their litter box correctly or at all. They may choose to urinate or defecate in other parts of the home.
- Marking – Male cats especially may choose to mark their territory by spraying certain parts of the home like walls, floors, or pieces of furniture.
Traditional Treatment Options for Cat Behavioral Issues
Trying to solve cat behavior issues like cat aggression can be a challenge, but it’s not impossible. There are various traditional treatment options out there, including seeking the help of a specialist cat behaviorist. These behaviorists are able to study cat behaviors, identify possible triggers and causes, and work with owners to solve the problem.
Vets may also be able to prescribe certain types of cat aggression medication and other treatments, like anti-depressants, to help control angry or anxious cats. These medications may come in liquid or tablet form and can be added to a cat’s food. There are also pheromone sprays which can be used to deter marking and calm aggression.
In some cases, vets may also make recommendations for lifestyle adjustments to help a cat feel more comfortable and reduce the risk of bad behavior. If a cat is aggressive towards other people or easily stressed, for example, it may be wise to reduce the number of visitors to your home or place the cat in a separate space when you have guests.
CBD Oil for Cat Behavioral Problems
Another excellent option for dealing with problems like redirected aggression in cats is CBD oil. CBD oil for cats aggression is being used by a lot of owners and prescribed by many vets worldwide.
It’s the same basic product as CBD oil for humans and works in a similar way. Upon entering the cat’s body, CBD oil for cat aggression is able to interact with a cat’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) in order to trigger certain responses.
The ECS is a complicated system, but scientists have found that it is linked with all kinds of bodily processes, emotions, and sensations, so it can have a big role in determining how a cat behaves and responds in different situations.
By influencing the ECS in a positive way, CBD oil is able to make a genuine difference to the lives of felines and their owners. It can also help to alleviate symptoms of many other health issues too.
Various studies have looked into the effects of using CBD to curb aggression in cats, with promising results. It is believed that CBD is able to lower stress and anxiety levels, soothe pain and discomfort, and generally make the cat feel more relaxed.
All of this can help to reduce the risks of bad behavior. So if you’ve been wondering “Is CBD oil for aggression in cats helpful?” then the answer is a resounding yes. What’s more, there’s a lot of scientific and anecdotal evidence to reinforce this claim.
Many owners have gotten a lot of good results from using CBD oil treats for cats aggression. A lot of them say that regular CBD doses have helped to calm their cats down, making them more docile, friendlier, and more peaceful too.
All of this can help your cat lead a happier and more fulfilling life, as well as causing fewer problems for you in both the short and long-term. Plus, there aren’t any serious side effects to CBD oil, and it’s really easy to use.
Cannabinoid Calculator for the Perfect CBD Oil Dosage
In order to get the very best results when giving your cat some CBD oil, you need to make sure that the dosage is as accurate as possible. The Cannabinoid Calculator CBD dosage calculator can help you with this.
Giving a cat too much CBD oil may lead to them being more likely to experience side effects like sleepiness and increased appetite. Meanwhile, a dose that is too small might not be enough to have any real effect at all.
The right dosage will help you get the results you want in your furry feline. Simply enter some basic information into our calculator to get started and then drop the right amount of oil in with your cat’s food before dinner.
Conclusion
Having a cat that has behavioral problems isn’t easy. There may be times when you don’t know what to do or how to respond. However, there are options out there that can help. Promising studies show great effects for CBD oil and cat aggression, and cats with a range of bad habits can be soothed and calmed with the right approach.
FAQ
Cat behavioral issues are bad habits and behavior problems in felines like meowing, scratching, marking, and biting.
There are lots of possible causes for this kind of behavior. It may be caused by mistreatment, anxiety, pain, health problems, and more.
Cat anxiety aggression medication CBD can be used to calm anxious and angry cats. It helps with lowering stress levels and soothing pain. This makes the cat less likely to scratch or react badly.
Using the best CBD oil for cat aggression is really simple. You can use a CBD dosage calculator to work out the right amount and then drop the oil into the cat food.