Cat Behaviour Problems: Scratching, Spraying and Aggression

Cats can be wonderful companions, but sometimes their behaviour can leave us scratching our heads - or, in the case of the furniture, wishing they would stop scratching!

Scratching, urine spraying and aggression are three common concerns for cat owners. While these behaviours can be frustrating, they are rarely your cat simply being “naughty”. In many cases, your cat is communicating a need, responding to their environment, or experiencing stress. Sometimes, a medical problem may be contributing too.

Understanding why a behaviour is happening is the first step towards improving it.

Scratching: It's Normal Cat Behaviour

Scratching is a completely normal and important behaviour for cats. It helps them:

• Keep their claws healthy

• Stretch and exercise their muscles

• Leave visual and scent markings

• Communicate with other cats

• Relieve stress and excitement

The goal isn't to stop your cat scratching - it's to redirect them towards appropriate places.

Provide several scratching posts or pads around the home, particularly near sleeping areas and places where your cat already likes to scratch. Some cats prefer vertical posts, while others prefer horizontal scratchers, so you may need to experiment.

Choose sturdy scratching posts that won't wobble when your cat uses them. You can encourage interest with catnip or toys, and reward your cat when they use the scratching post.

If your cat is scratching your sofa, for example, placing an attractive scratching post directly beside it can be much more effective than simply moving the post to another part of the house.

Never punish your cat for scratching. Punishment can cause fear and stress without teaching them where you would like them to scratch instead.

Spraying: More Than Just a Toilet Problem

Urine spraying is different from normal urination. A cat that sprays will usually stand upright,

raise their tail (which may quiver) and deposit a small amount of urine onto a vertical

surface.

Spraying is a form of communication and territory marking. It can occur in both male and

female cats, although it is more common in cats that haven't been desexed.

Possible triggers include:

● Other cats in or around the home

● Changes to the household

● Moving house or rearranging furniture

● New pets or people

● Conflict between cats

● Stress or anxiety

● Seeing unfamiliar cats through windows

● Changes to their routine

However, urinating outside the litter tray should always be taken seriously.

Urinary tract problems, bladder inflammation, urinary crystals and other medical conditions

can cause changes in toileting behaviour. Your cat may also associate the litter tray with

pain and start avoiding it.

If your cat suddenly starts urinating somewhere unusual, arrange a veterinary check rather

than assuming it is simply behavioural.

Helping Reduce Spraying

Once medical causes have been investigated, reducing stress and identifying the trigger can make a big difference.

Make sure your cat has access to clean, appropriately sized litter trays in quiet locations. In multi-cat households, having multiple litter trays can help reduce competition.

Clean sprayed areas thoroughly using an appropriate enzymatic urine cleaner. Regular household cleaners may not completely remove the scent, and cats can still detect traces that we can't.

If outdoor cats are causing your cat stress, reducing their ability to see or interact with them may also help.

Aggression: What Is Your Cat Trying to Tell You?

Aggression can be one of the most worrying behaviours for cat owners. A cat that hisses, growls, swats, bites or attacks may appear unpredictable, but aggression often has an underlying trigger.

Cats may become aggressive because they are:

• Frightened or feeling threatened

• In pain

• Protecting their territory

• Stressed or anxious

• Overstimulated during handling or play

• Frustrated because they cannot reach something they want

• Responding to another cat or animal

• Protecting resources such as food, sleeping areas or litter trays

Some cats also become aggressive during patting when they have had enough. Learning to recognise your cat's early warning signs can help prevent the situation from escalating.

Watch for signs such as a flicking or swishing tail, flattened ears, dilated pupils, tense body posture, skin twitching or suddenly turning their head towards your hand.

When your cat says “I've had enough”, listen!

Could Pain or Illness Be Behind the Behaviour?

One of the most important things to remember is that a change in behaviour can sometimes be a sign that your cat isn't feeling well.

Cats are experts at hiding pain and illness. Instead of obviously appearing sick, they may become withdrawn, irritable, aggressive or start toileting differently.

Conditions such as dental disease, arthritis, urinary problems and other illnesses can affect behaviour.

That's why a veterinary examination is particularly important when behaviour changes suddenly, becomes more frequent, or occurs in an older cat.

What Should You Do?

The most effective approach to cat behaviour problems is to look at the underlying cause rather than simply trying to stop the behaviour.

Start by asking:

When does it happen?What happens immediately beforehand?Has anything changed in the household or your cat's routine?Could another animal be involved?Could pain or illness be contributing?

Keeping a simple diary of your cat's behaviour can be surprisingly helpful. Note what happened, when it happened and what was happening immediately beforehand. If possible, a video of the behaviour can also provide useful information for your veterinary team.

Don't Punish - Investigate

Punishing a cat for scratching, spraying or aggression can increase fear and anxiety and may actually make the behaviour worse.

Instead, try to understand what your cat is communicating and address the underlying cause.

Sometimes a few environmental changes are enough. In other cases, your veterinarian may recommend further investigation or referral to a veterinary behaviourist.

If your cat's behaviour has changed, don't simply put it down to them being difficult. They may be trying to tell you something.

If you're concerned about scratching, spraying, aggression or any other change in your cat's behaviour, talk to our veterinary team. We're here to help you understand what's happening and work with you to find a solution that keeps both you and your cat happy.