Understanding Cat Behavior
Imagine your dad comes home one day and miraculously suggests getting a cat (based on true events) and you jump in excitement and text all your friends that you will own a cat - sounds like a dream right? And don't get me wrong, you're free to do all that because been there done that. But, as a good pet owner, it's crucial you understand your cat; like every animal, they have their own personality and individual quirks and traits. It's always a good idea to do research before getting a cat in order for you to have a little bit of knowledge on the traits of that specific breed.
Behavior
To be successful at hunting, cats need to have learned that skill from another cat (usually the mother) while they're still kittens. Kittens playing with toys are actually play-hunting - stalking, biting or pawing at inanimate toys, or chasing after anything that moves. The movement of the toy is stimulating its predatory instincts.
Cat's scratching the furniture is a way to mark their territory and an added bonus - it sharpens their claws. In the wild, the scratch marks are always in a highly visible place as they are a non-threatening indication that territory is occupied.
Cats will only be people-friendly if they have been introduced to humans at a young age (kittens). Having a good mother that accepts and enjoys human company is also a big influence on the kitten's future behavior and help it be more outgoing with humans,
Cats groom themselves regularly, partly to keep their coat free from tangles and loose hairs, but also to spread oil from the skin to waterproof the coat. In hot weather, licking themselves regularly helps them keep cool due to the saliva.
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Training
We all know cats can't be trained like dogs, but keep in mind cats can be super smart so it's possible to encourage them to do good things and discourage bad behavior. Once again, it's critical to establish this when they are young since older cats find it harder to learn new tricks. But please don' let that stop you from teaching your older cat new things, it's always possible!
Unlike dogs, cats are independent and DON'T like pleasing the boss, but they do respond to rewards and punishments, just as how they would in the wild. You can train them to use the litter box, to sit on command, and to meow in response if you call its name by using treats as a reward. On the contrary, using punishments can be bad for your mutual relationship since the cat will associate you with unpleasant things. And we of course do not want that, so there are more indirect methods such as: temporarily covering the counter with thick plastic or strips of double-sided tape to prevent them from jumping, or dropping a metal foil box filled with rattling dried beans to startle them.
