"Bad" Cat Behavior

Case Study #1:  Lying in Wait -- Aggression

Lying in Wait, Page 3 of 4

(Note: This was my very first consult in 1999).

Because Violet liked to perch, I also decided that Vicki needed a cat tree or something else in addition to the back of her couch where Violet frequented. Violet needed to be able to get up and out of the way of the two male cats, whose owner said sometimes suffered from "bad" cat behavior and tormented Violet, so she could have a sense of security, not to mention exercise and a new activity to focus on.

Upon my return from Vicki’s home, I typed and emailed her a five-page behavior plan that went over everything we had talked about that day as well as a little about cat behavior, including competing motivation theory, and explained a little further the dynamics of a cat colony. I told her that I would include two more follow-up consultations just to make certain we were on the right track and that the plan was working and no adjustments needed to be made. I stressed how important it was that we stay in contact should she have any questions or need more guidance.

Two weeks later, I got call from an elated Vicki. She said that after she added the other two litter boxes, Violet started using them almost exclusively with only two accidents.  This was definitely an improvement from 3 accidents a day (for thirteen years) to just two accidents in two weeks.

Even though it happened rarely, Violet was still urinating on the couch.  She may have been doing this out of a habit being formed over 13 years or she may have even developed a preference for eliminating on plastic.  Because Violet was still urinating on the couch, I decided to use a competing motivation at this location.  I had the owner place several small bowls of Violet’s cat food in the areas that Violet was still urinating on for several weeks and then decreasing this activity to intermittent intervals. We also removed the plastic at some point along the way.

Two weeks later I received a call from Vicki stating that Violet was now using the litter box exclusively and was her cat tree most of the time. Violet even started to play with the wand toys I recommended, which she had never done before.

Go to Page:

Lying in Wait 1:  Cat Behavioral Problem

Lying in Wait 2:  Feline Behavior Problem

Lying in Wait 3:  Bad Cat Behavior

Lying in Wait 4:  Aggressive Cat Behavior

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