CAT
BEHAVIOR
Understanding your cat's behavior can sometimes be a puzzle, but it's essential for a harmonious relationship between you and your furry friend. At Vet At Your Door, we understand that managing cat behavior can be challenging, and we're here to help with our in-home, Fear Free Certified approach. Here are the top 10 commonly asked questions about cat behavior, along with answers that highlight how Vet At Your Door can assist you in the comfort of your home.
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Why Do Cats Hiss?
Hissing is a defensive mechanism. It's a cat's way of avoiding physical confrontation. At Vet At Your Door, we can assess environmental factors and social dynamics in your home to reduce situations that trigger hissing. Understanding the root cause is key to creating a stress-free environment for your cat.
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Why Does My Cat Eat Grass?
Cats may eat grass to aid digestion or as a natural way to induce vomiting to clear their digestive tract. However, excessive grass eating can be a sign of an underlying issue. Our home visits allow us to observe your cat's behavior in its natural setting, helping us provide personalized dietary and environmental recommendations.
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Why Do Cats Knock Things Over?
This behavior often stems from curiosity and hunting instincts. Your cat may be engaging in a playful simulation of hunting. We can offer strategies to redirect this behavior with appropriate toys and playtime, ensuring your cat's natural instincts are satisfied in a safe and non-destructive manner.
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Why Do Cats Scratch Furniture?
Scratching serves several purposes: it helps cats mark their territory, maintain claw health, and stretch their muscles. We can provide in-home advice on how to encourage your cat to use scratching posts instead of furniture, and how to use pheromone sprays to deter them from unwanted areas.
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Why Is My Cat Overgrooming?
Overgrooming might be a response to stress, allergies, skin problems, or boredom. Our Fear Free Certified approach ensures a thorough evaluation in a comfortable setting, leading to specific recommendations for dietary changes, environmental enrichment, or medical interventions.
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Why Do Cats Purr?
Purring can indicate contentment, but it's also used for self-comfort and pain relief. During our home visits, we can observe your cat's overall behavior and health to determine if purring is a sign of happiness or an indication of distress or illness.
Why Do Cats Like Boxes?
Boxes provide a sense of security and a perfect spot for ambush play. Understanding this behavior helps us suggest ways to use boxes and similar enclosures to enhance your cat’s environment, making them feel more secure and entertained in your home.
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Why Does My Cat Meow at Me?
Cats meow to communicate with humans for various reasons like hunger, attention, or discomfort. We can help you interpret these meows during our visits, ensuring your responses are aligned with your cat's needs, thereby strengthening your bond.
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Is My Cat Playing or Being Aggressive with Other Cats?
Distinguishing between play and aggression can be challenging. Signs of play include relaxed body language and taking turns in being on top or chasing. Aggressive encounters are usually noisy, with growling or hissing. Our in-home evaluations can provide insights into your cats' interactions and advice on managing multi-cat dynamics.
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Why Is My Cat Acting Aggressively Towards a New Kitten?
Adult cats may view kittens as a threat to their territory and resources. A slow, controlled introduction is crucial. We can guide you through this process, ensuring each cat has its own space and resources, and gradually increasing their exposure to each other in a controlled, positive manner.
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Why is My Cat Urinating Outside the Litter Box?
Inappropriate urination can be due to medical issues like urinary tract infections, diabetes, or kidney disease, as well as behavioral reasons like stress, anxiety, or dissatisfaction with the litter box (cleanliness, type of litter, location). At Vet At Your Door, we understand the importance of identifying the root cause in your cat's familiar environment. We can conduct a comprehensive assessment to rule out medical problems and provide tailored advice for behavioral modification. This might include strategies for litter box management, environmental enrichment, and stress reduction. Our home visits allow us to observe your cat's behavior in its natural setting, which is invaluable in diagnosing and addressing this issue effectively.
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Vet At Your Door can assist in managing these behaviors from the comfort of your home. Our approach focuses on the well-being of your cat, considering both medical and environmental factors. If you have any further questions or need more personalized advice, feel free to reach out to us at (207) 536-8387 or email us at info@vetatyourdoor.com. You can also request an appointment online for a comprehensive, in-home consultation tailored to your cat's needs.