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Cat Behavior

Dive into the quirky world of feline habits and hijinks—because understanding your cat is half the fun of living with one!

young woman training cat in the kitchen

Cats are independent creatures that like to do things on their own terms. However, they are also highly intelligent and can learn to do many things that we want to teach them. But can cats be trained like dogs can? Not exactly. Dogs are typically not as independent or stubborn

Basic training

Master essential cat training techniques with expert-backed methods. From basic commands to behavioral challenges, these proven guides help you build a strong foundation and positive relationship with your feline companion.

Hiking With a Cat: If It Is Possible & Vet-Approved Tips

Many cats enjoy spending time in the great outdoors, either on walks or while enjoying catios and other enclosures. Fresh breezes and blue...

Leash Training Your Cat: 9 Easy Steps (With Pictures)

If you’ve been dreaming of taking your indoor cat on adventures outside, then the good news is that it’s totally possible to do...

How to Train Your Cat: Vet-Approved Cat Training Guide

Cats have reputations that precede them. Even cats that are incredibly affectionate and what some owners might call “dog-like” can be incredibly headstrong....

Behavior Problems & How to Help

Dealing with cat behavior issues? You’re not alone. From litter box problems to strange habits, we’ve got practical solutions and expert advice to help you understand what’s going on and fix it.

Watching the dot

Do Lasers Encourage Play or Trigger Obsessive Behavior? How Different Cats React

Hi, I’m Dr. Karyn! Read my introduction to learn more about me and meet my...

cat pooping in the litter box

Why Does My Cat Play With Poop? 6 Possible Vet-Reviewed Reasons for This Behavior

Typically, cats are very clean animals. They groom themselves regularly and they have quite specific...

close up of two tabby cats lying on the floor

Do Cats Make Friends With Other Cats? Vet-Reviewed Feline Social Behavior

If you’ve ever brought home a new cat and you already own one, then you...

Girl butting heads with her ginger cat

Cat Bunting: What Is It? Vet Approved Feline Behavior Guide

Cats are curious creatures that have many behaviors that we must study to understand, as...

Litter Box & Toileting Challenges

Litter box troubles driving you crazy? We get it. From accidents outside the box to odor control, find practical solutions to the most common toileting issues that every cat owner faces.

Alex is a very discerning cat

Alex Likes a Fresh Bowl: Litter Box Cleaning with 5 Cats

Hi, I’m Dr. Karyn! Read my introduction to learn more about me and meet my...

Ginger cat sitting in a litter box

Why Do Cats Use Litter Boxes? Vet-Verified Facts & FAQ

You might be quite impressed with your cat’s ability to check out a tub of...

Cats may simply thank you for cleaning the litterbox but in reality, it provides a wealth of health information (Pancake and Tiller agree!)

Wee!!! More Things to Love About Cat Litter Boxes

Hi, I’m Dr. Lauren! Read my introduction to learn more about me and my two...

Cat tray with crystal litter and scoop on floor near light blue wall

10 Essential Cat Litter Box Accessories to Get You Started

One of the challenges that cat owners face is coming up with a substantial cat...

The Cat Behavior Archives

Whether it’s quick tips or expert guidance, you’re in good paws — and with new articles added every week, you’ll always have the latest info when you need it most.

Archive

RIP Your Furniture? Not With This Guide to Cat Scratch Damage Control

Your couch looks like it survived a minor apocalypse. The curtains have mysterious vertical shreds. That new rug you splurged on is already showing signs of feline vandalism. Yelling hasn’t worked. Scolding just makes your cat avoid you. And you’re...

male cat scratching the furniture

Your Cat Ghosted Your Bed: Here’s What Changed

Cats are particular about where they sleep. Not just a little particular, but obsessively, methodically particular. They’ll test seventeen surfaces, circle a spot four times, and reject a $200 cat bed in favor of a cardboard box. Where a cat...

old tabby cat lying on bed

Why Cats Pee on Furniture (And How to Make Them Stop)

Cats peeing on furniture isn’t a behavior problem. It’s a communication problem. Your cat can’t tell you their litter box hurts to use, or that the new dog is stressing them out, or that the box itself is too small...

White cat standing infront of his pee in the couch

The Wild Survival Instinct That Makes Cats Hiss at Their Owners

Have you ever reached down to pet your cat while they’re eating, and suddenly they’re hissing at you like you’re a stranger who broke into their house? Or maybe your cat has started blocking the other pets from accessing the...

abyssinian cat hisses

Your Cat Is Begging at Christmas Dinner – Here’s What’s Safe to Share

Your family is gathering around the Christmas table, passing dishes and laughing, when you feel it: those unblinking eyes burning into the side of your face. You glance down. There’s your cat, sitting perfectly still, radiating an intensity that suggests...

Bengal cat head peeks out from behind a table with Christmas cookies on a plate

The Real Reasons Kittens Suckle! Warning: High Level of Cuteness Follows

If you’ve welcomed a new kitten into your home, you already know they come with a whole toolbox of adorable quirks. But there’s one behavior many pet parents don’t expect: suckling. Whether it’s a blanket, a finger, or their own...

sphynx kitten, webbed feet, sucking a blanket

Lap Grooming Explained: 4 Vet-Verified Reasons Cats Do It

Cats are full of surprises. Just when you think you’ve figured them out, they do something that makes you tilt your head in confusion. Like grooming themselves while curled up in your lap. At first, you might think your cat...

a woman holding a cat on her lap

How to Stop My Cat From Peeing on My Bed: 8 Vet-Verified Tips & Tricks

Picture this scene: you’re home after a long day at work and finally ready to slip into bed and head off to dreamland. You throw the covers back, only to find a large wet spot; your cat has peed on...

Cat sitting near wet or piss spot on the bed

Why Is My Cat Eating Cat Litter? 10 Vet-Reviewed Reasons

Cats are capable of doing many things that leave us feeling bewildered and scratching our heads. It’s often challenging to figure out if something that’s strange to us is actually normal for cats. When it comes to eating cat litter,...

cat sniffing cat litter in the box

Why Do Cats Show You Their Butt? 6 Vet-Reviewed Reasons

Although cats have lived with humans for millennia, they still do many things that leave us feeling puzzled or confused. One behavior that can surprise or shock new cat owners is a cat’s tendency to show their butt when they...

black cat enjoying when owner scratch at the base of his tail showing the butt

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