What people keep running into with cat behavior
Complaints tagged cat behavior, each raised by more than one person. One-off posts are not included.
36 recurring problems · 564 people · 5 forums we read
Raised more than once
Most people first.
- 6How to stop cats from peeing in the floor drainBasement floor drains attract cats as alternative litter boxes because the location mimics an open basin, leading to strong odors and a difficult habit to break. Blocking or covering the drain without providing an acceptable alternative nearby risks driving the behavior to other parts of the house.
- 6Why won't my cat play with toys when I'm gone?Cats quickly lose interest in standard toys and grow bored and lonely when left alone for long hours while owners work. This leads to sulking or excessive meowing when humans return, forcing owners to hunt constantly for new stimulation like cat videos just to keep them engaged.
- 5Why is my cat staring at nothing for hours?Cats will fixate on a blank spot for hours, sometimes even struggling to stay awake, which creeps owners out and leads them to suspect their home is haunted. Often, the cat is just acting like a sweet little dummy or obsessively returning to a spot where they previously found an insect.
- 4Why does my dog pee inside right after a walk?Dogs often fail to empty their bladders fully outdoors or treat the indoor environment as a marking zone, which leaves owners wiping up accidents the moment they return. Walking longer routes or using enzyme cleaners fails to stop the behavior, leaving people unable to trust their house is safe immediately after coming home.
- 4How to entertain an indoor cat that hates the outdoorsMany cats panic or hide when exposed to the outdoors, rendering traditional leash training and outdoor walks useless. This leaves owners trapped without a reliable way to burn off their cat's excess energy indoors, preventing them from providing the stimulation their pet needs.
- 4Kitten mounting and humping after coming home from vacationReturning from vacation can coincide with a young kitten starting to mount other pets and people, engaging in full pelvic thrusting and biting the neck. Because vets may dismiss this as harmless play at 4.5 months old, owners are left dealing with sleep disruption and worry that the behavior will become an ingrained habit causing severe stress.
- 4How to bring an outdoor cat inside when family objects or you have petsDeciding to bring an outside cat indoors creates conflict when dealing with unsupportive household members or existing pets that don't get along with newcomers. Compounding this, temporary living situations and upcoming moves make it difficult to commit to a permanent home, leaving people torn between protecting the cat from outdoor dangers and keeping the household peace.
- 4New kitten hiding and won't eat or drinkNewly adopted kittens often hide under furniture and cry continuously because they miss their mothers. This fear prevents them from coming out to eat or drink, even when bowls are placed right beside them, leaving owners worried they will go hungry.
- 4Why is my cat scratching around its food?Cats scratch at their food containers or dig in their meals when they do not want or do not like what is offered. This behavior creates a huge daily mess that owners find annoying to constantly vacuum up.
- 3How to stop cats from destroying window blindsCats target window blinds to reach ledges or bat at the movement, which bends slats and crashes through vertical strips. Leaving blinds partially open gives them a clear path through without snapping the material or getting stuck.
- 3My neutered male cat keeps mounting my legEven older, perfectly healthy neutered male cats will jump onto beds to mount their owner's legs while purring. Owners find themselves repeatedly dealing with the unwanted behavior because these cats become repeat offenders who do it a lot.
- 3How to stop cats from opening doors and cabinetsCats can learn to open bi-fold closet doors, kitchen cabinets, the pantry, and even the refrigerator. The most common solution is to install child protective locks on your cabinets and appliances to keep them out.
- 2Cat stuck in the fireplaceCats frequently crawl behind or inside fireplaces, treating the space like a tunnel and getting trapped upside down. This leaves owners frantically working to free them within minutes and needing immediate rescue guidance.
- 2My cat refuses to use a new automatic litter boxCats often refuse to step into a new automatic or two-tier litter box, opting to lie next to it or jump out immediately if placed inside. This resistance leaves owners worried that their pet will stubbornly hold their waste or start going to the bathroom elsewhere in the home.
- 2Why does my cat constantly lick and suck on his blanket?Cats often develop a compulsive habit of licking and sucking on specific blankets, which triggers endless kneading behavior and forces owners to wash the item daily. Taking away the preferred blanket causes distress, sadness, and aggressive scratching because the object provides comfort they refuse to let go of.
- 2My cat ate a flower, is it dangerous?It is difficult to tell if a plant is actually dangerous or simply causing a harmless, catnip-like reaction. When a cat unexpectedly eats flower leaves or starts acting strangely after smelling herbs—like chewing clothes and rolling around—owners are left guessing and must restrict the pet's access just in case.
Comes up alongside
Topics that keep appearing on the same problems — not topics with similar names.