Cat Behavior - Is My Cat Sick Or is it a Behavior Problem?

For most people, if they see a change in their cat's behavior they think it is strictly behavior related and not due to a possible medical cause. This can be a big mistake and can delay needed medical attention for your cat.

Remember, that whenever your cat has a behavior change it is important to rule out a possible medical cause first, and then focus on correcting feline behavioral problems.

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Another reason to correct medical problems quickly is that if they go on long enough, medical problems can lead to behavior problems. For example, a cat that stops using the litter box because of a urinary tract infection might continue to not use the litter box after the infection is treated, because not using the litter box is a learned behavior.

Some medical causes of cat behavior changes could be hyperthyroidism, urinary tract infection, feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD), and even reproductive causes.

Hyperthyroidism can make a cat loss weight, not groom, and lead to an increased activity level where they are restless and nervous.

A urinary tract infection or FLUTD can cause cats to not use the litter box and to urinary frequently outside the litter box.

If a cat is in heat it will act much more affectionate or could actually act more aggressive towards its owners.

So if you are wondering if your cat is sick or is it a behavior problem, see a veterinarian first. Prompt treatment of medical causes can prevent a cat behavioral problems from forming.

Cat Behavior - Is My Cat Sick Or is it a Behavior Problem?

Whatever the cause of your cat's bad behavior, the important thing is to correct it quickly. To learn how to do this correctly, visit: Solutions To Cat Behavior Problems!

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