KCHS-CATS
Care they need,
love they deserve
BEHAVIOR RESOURCES
One of the most common reasons owners choose to surrender their pets is for a behavior reason. It is the second leading reason for cat euthanasia in the United States (closely following overpopulation).
At KCHS-CATS, we are committed to working with cat owners to solve common behavioral issues, mending the human-animal bond and, ultimately, keeping the cat in the home. As much as we love and take care of the cats in our care, we know that a shelter is no place for an animal, especially yours. Please let us work with you to solve your problem.
SETTING YOUR CAT UP FOR SUCCESS
Make sure you have basic resources spread throughout the house (i.e. food bowls, water bowls, litter boxes, scratching posts, places to rest). If you have multiple cats, you should provide enough of these resources so that each cat may have their own– cats can be territorial. In addition to these resources, cats need enrichment so they don't get restless. These can include toys, climbing structures, other animals, & time with you.
See this Household Resource Checklist for a detailed walkthrough.
COMMON BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS
Inappropriate Play
(e.g. biting your hands)
Aggression Between Pets
(e.g. your new cat isn't getting along with your current cat or dog)
Inappropriate Scratching
(e.g. your cat is scratching where you wish it wouldn't)
Litter Box Issues
(e.g. your cat doesn't know how to use the box or is going outside of it)
COMMON BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS
Many people believe cats can't be trained, but this is actually not true! Cats can be taught new things– just like dogs.
Your cat doesn't realize that biting you in wrong, they're just trying to play! Here are some resources on how you can help teach them biting isn't appropriate.
Here is a link on how to help prevent your cat from getting too rough during play with you:
AGGRESSION BETWEEN PETS
It can be difficult to introduce a new animal into the home. These are resources on how to introduce your animals to each other, introduce a new animal to your home, and manage aggression between animals.
Here are some links that might help you introduce your cat to your pets and your home:
How to Introduce a Cat to a Dog
