Let's Learn About Destructive Behavior in Cats

Daily Meow | It is normal for a cat to scratch something. They do this to sharpen their claws and train their feet. It is also normal for cats to spend a lot of time licking themselves, because this is how they cleanse themselves. When cats scratch or lick the wrong thing and do not respond to despair, they are diagnosed with a destructive behavioral problem. However, not all destructive behaviors are the same. When a cat scratches the wrong thing but has no other symptoms, this is usually the main destructive behavior. Conversely, cats who spend too much time licking or scratching on objects are likely to have secondary destructive behaviors. These two types of destructive behavior can cause problems with other organs, such as the stomach and intestines, if left untreated.

SYMPTOMS AND TYPE

The main destructive behavior

• Scrub the furniture
• Scratch rugs
• Chewing or eating house plants
• The owner may or may not be around at the time of the first star symptom
• Secondary destructive behavior
• Things were destroyed to get the owner's attention
• The owner always sees things being ruined
• Obsessive-compulsive-related destruction
• Too much time was spent licking his body - excessive care
• Often eat non-food foods (pica)

The owner may or may not be around when the behavior occurs

CAUSE

The main destructive behavior

• Not enough supervision
• Not enough, or the wrong type of fried food
• Not enough exercise
• Not enough daily activity

Secondary destructive behavior

• No cause found

DIAGNOSIS

Your veterinarian will require a complete medical and behavior history so that patterns can be formed, and that any physical condition that may be related to such behavior may be excluded or confirmed. Things your veterinarian needs to know include when the destruction begins, how long it has taken, what events seem to trigger the destruction and whether your cat is alone when the devastation takes place. It is also important to tell your veterinarian whether the destruction has become worse, better, or remain the same since it was first noticed.

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During a physical exam, your veterinarian will look for signs that your cat has a medical problem, which may cause the behavior. Total blood count, biochemical profile, and urinalysis will be ordered. This will tell your veterinarian whether there is a problem with the organ in your cat that might cause the behavior. Blood thyroid hormone levels can also be ordered so your veterinarian can determine whether your cat's thyroid level is low or high. Sometimes, thyroid hormone imbalance can add destructive behavior.

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If your cat eats non-food foods, a condition called pica, your veterinarian will order blood tests and stools to specifically test for a disorder or nutritional deficiency that will cause pica. The results of this test will show whether your cat is able to digest its food properly and absorb the nutrients it needs from food. If your cat is older when this behavior problem begins, your vet may order a computerized tomography (CT) scan or a magnetic resonance (MRI) image of your cat's brain. This test will allow your veterinarian to visually inspect the brain and its functional abilities, making it possible to determine if there are any brain diseases or tumors that cause behavioral problems. If there are no medical problems, your cat will be diagnosed with behavioral problems.

TREATMENT

If the medical problem has been confirmed, the problem will be treated first. Typically, treating the disease will solve the behavior problem. If your cat has no medical problems, your veterinarian will develop a plan to treat your cat's behavior problem. In most cases, a combination of training and treatment will be needed. Medication alone does not solve the problem.

For primary destructive behaviors, your veterinarian will help you plan to direct your cat's destructive actions against the appropriate objects. This will help you train your cat to scratch the things you agree on, and prevent your cat from scratching the things you do not want to destroy. While you are in the process of teaching your cat what can and can not be scratched, plastic covers can be used to prevent it from destroying your furniture.

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Treatment of secondary destructive behaviors will involve a combination of drugs and exercise. Your veterinarian may choose to prescribe an anti-anxiety medication to help your cat respond to exercise more quickly. You and your veterinarian will also develop a training plan to help your cat learn how to behave in a more appropriate way. Once your cat has learned not to destroy the goods, you may be able to stop the treatment. However, some cats need to be given medication for anxiety for some time to help them cope with their destructive behavior.

LIFE AND MANAGEMENT

When you first start a training and medication program, your veterinarian will often talk to you to make sure everything is going well. It is important that you give the medicine exactly as your veterinarian has ordered. If your cat has been prescribed medication, your vet may want to follow up with a complete blood count and biochemical profile to make sure the drug does not affect the organs in your cat. Make sure that you do not give any other medication to your cat while under veterinary care unless you first consult your doctor.

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The most important thing is you are patient with your cat while learning to not damage. This can be a slow process and may take several months or more. Some cats have more anxiety and reluctance to learn new behaviors and may require long-term treatment and training.

PREVENTION

It is important to start training early with kittens, teaching them what they can and can not scratch or claw. During the growth stage of your cat's cat, plastic cover can be used to prevent it from damaging your furniture and carpets. It is also important to pay attention to your cat carefully for any changes in his behavior. Treating medical problems or behavior early on makes them more easily treated and tends not to become a habit.