Spoiled Cats!

Every cat owner knows the joy of treating their cat well and pampering them with tons of love and attention. It’s difficult to resist when those beautiful big eyes are staring up at you, or that low, contented purr resonates in your ears. Certainly, these are the signs of a comfortable, loving relationship between a cat and its owner.

However, when does spoiling a cat turn to waiting on it? When is your cat no longer ‘your cat’, but royalty, and with you as its loyal human subject? These are some of the signs of a spoilt cat, and what you can do about it.

Begging
If your cat has a tendency to ask for food constantly and at inappropriate times (such as at the dinner table), even after she’s been fed already, it may be necessary to change her eating habits. It’s not really suitable for cats to eat human food, but at the very least try to avoid giving her food directly from your dinner plate whilst you’re still eating, so that she learns to wait until you’re done.

Running the household
No doubt you’ve had times when kitty jumps on your lap just as you’re about to stand up, or plonks herself down on top of the newspaper you’re reading. This kind of behaviour is often just regarded as being cute, but there are times when it can be irritating or downright dangerous. If your cat has a habit of sleeping in the dryer, for example, or wandering behind your computer, then this is something that needs to be checked by light punishment and reinforcement (ie, removing her every time she enters the area).

Excessive meowing
One of the primary ways in which your cat will communicate with you is by meowing; whether for food, to go out, or to ask for attention. Excessive meowing occurs because your cat learns that every time she makes that sound, she gets some kind of response from her owner. This usually presents itself as a problem around night-time, when you’re trying to sleep. The best way to deal with this is by ignoring your cat completely – which includes not shouting or shushing, as this still reinforces her meowing.

Sources and Further Reading
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/356945/solutions_for_cat_behavior_problems.html?cat=2
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/292129/is_your_cat_spoiled.html?cat=53
http://www.catchannel.com/behavior/article_14233-3.aspx
http://www.pets.ca/pettips/tips-67.htm