Which Cat Behaviors Should You Worry About?

When it comes to cat behavior concerns, some are obvious! If your cat is biting you or refusing to use their litter box, you can probably guess that they’re unhappy about something. But what if they’re chewing on household objects or only peeing in your plant pot? It can be tricky to translate what your cat is trying to tell you.

Let’s go over some common cat behavior and body language to tell you which behavioral issues are irritating but innocuous and which might require a visit to the vet

Scratching

Is the fabric on your favorite armchair starting to look shredded? We feel your pain. The good news is that scratching furniture, windowsills, and walls is normal behavior. It’s a way for cats to mark their territory and the feline equivalent of using a nail file.

Should you be worried? 

Nope—this one’s 100% normal. Get them a scratching post or two and redirect their scratching to approved zones.

Chewing

Does your cat carry hair ties around like a pacifier or leave drool marks and teeth holes on your couch cushions? If your cat has a major oral fixation, it’s most likely a sign of boredom.

Cats are highly intelligent, and if they were in the wild, they would face constant mental stimulation. Domestic cats have more slow afternoons, particularly if their humans are gone all day. Try redirecting this behavior by providing engaging toys they love that can take the brunt of their gnawing and chewy treats to calm them down!

Should you be worried? 

No, no need to worry—but consider picking up some new cat toys.

Biting

When it comes to alarming cat behavior, biting tops the list. Gentle love bites while grooming or during vigorous play are normal between cats. With humans, it’s your choice to allow it if gentle or discourage it if too rough.

However, take more severe bites seriously. Biting is often an aggressive cat behavior, a way to assert dominance or protect their territory. It can also indicate fear or self-protection if a cat feels vulnerable or is in pain.

Should you be worried? 

If biting persists, becomes worse, or seems to follow any other signs of distress, it’s time to have a conversation with your vet.

Itching or Excessive Grooming

Just like us, cats appreciate a little bit of self-care. But what does it mean if your cat’s normal 20-minute grooming session suddenly starts to last over an hour and seems more than a little obsessive? That’s when it’s time to pay attention.

If your cat is fixated on scratching or grooming for long periods of time or in one particular spot, that’s probably a sign of skin irritation or even emotional distress. Grooming can be a self-soothing behavior, but over-grooming can lead to bald patches or even alopecia.

Should you be worried? 

Possibly. Keep an eye on your cat’s behavior and look at the spots they’re focused on. It could be that they just have a bug bite or something sticky in their fur, but if the behavior persists and you don’t see anything, make an appointment with your vet.

Litter Box Issues

“If you’re starting to smell the distinctive stink of cat pee in places other than the litter box, we offer our condolences. Get a good enzyme cleaner, and let’s figure out the problem! Many things can cause your normally house-trained cat to start peeing outside their litter box.

A classic territorial boy cat behavior is urine marking, particularly among unneutered males. If you catch them spraying on objects around the house, chances are they’re trying to mark their territory. On the other hand, if your cat is peeing in hidden places or trying to find spots similar to their litter box, like the soil of a potted plant, that’s more likely a sign of distress.

Any type of stress can cause a cat to seek a new spot to take their bathroom breaks. Anything from house guests to moving to a new location to simply moving the litter box can cause this behavior. Peeing outside their litter box can also mark a variety of medical issues, including diabetes and urinary tract problems. If you can’t figure out what’s causing your cat’s issues, maybe your vet can.”

Should you be worried? 

Observe their behavior to see if you can figure out what’s causing it. Alleviate sources of stress for your cat in your home and turn to your vet if you suspect it’s a medical issue or could be fixed by neutering a spraying male cat.