Cat Behavior Problems

You reach for your cat’s paw, bring out the nail clippers, and suddenly the paw disappears. Your cat stiffens, pulls away, or tries to leave. Keep going, and you might get a hiss, a swat, or even a bite. If you’re thinking, “My cat won’t let me trim nails,” the answer usually isn’t to hold … Read more

The carrier comes out, and your cat disappears under the bed. Or your cat walks toward it, then backs away as soon as the door moves. If you searched “cat won’t go in carrier”, the most useful first step is to separate two different problems: getting to a veterinary appointment that is happening now, and … Read more

Your cat sees another cat through the window, freezes or starts growling—and then suddenly turns on you or another cat in the house. If your cat gets aggressive after seeing another cat outside, the person or pet who gets attacked may not have been the original trigger. When a cat becomes intensely aroused by an … Read more

You put your cat back on the floor, turn around, and a minute later they are on the counter again. If your cat keeps jumping on the counter, repeatedly putting them back on the floor may stop the behavior for a moment, but it does not necessarily change what makes the counter worth returning to. … Read more

Your cat may be relaxed on the couch until the doorbell rings. Seconds later, they are under the bed, behind the couch, or in another room—and they may not come out again until the house is quiet. If your cat hides when guests come over, that does not automatically mean something is wrong. For many … Read more

You walk past the couch, and your cat suddenly launches at your ankle, grabs your leg, bites, then releases and disappears around the corner. Later, it happens again in almost the same place. If you are thinking, “my cat attacks my feet when I walk,” movement-triggered play or a predatory-style sequence is one strong possibility. … Read more

The scratching post is only a few feet away, but your cat walks past it, stretches against the arm of the couch, and scratches there again. Cat scratches couch even with scratching post? The problem may not be a lack of scratching options. The couch may simply provide a better match for where, how, and … Read more

Your cat comes over, settles beside you or on your lap, accepts a few strokes, and may even seem completely relaxed. Then they suddenly turn and bite your hand. If you searched “cat bites me when I pet them,” start with the simplest useful response: stop touching your cat when the bite happens. Then look … Read more