🐾 Understanding Your Cat: The Ultimate Guide for First-Time Cat Owners

🧡 Introduction: Welcome to Cat Parenthood

Becoming a cat parent for the first time is exciting — but it can also be confusing. Why does your cat scratch the sofa? Why do they wake you up at 3 a.m.? Don’t worry — these behaviours are normal feline instincts, not signs of mischief.

This guide helps first-time cat owners understand cat behaviour, spot early signs of behaviour problems, and create an enriched home environment that keeps your cat healthy and happy.

🧠 What Is Cat Enrichment and Why Does It Matter?

Cat enrichment means providing physical and mental stimulation that encourages natural behaviours — like hunting, climbing, exploring, and scratching. Without enough enrichment, indoor cats can become bored or stressed, leading to behaviour problems such as aggression, furniture scratching, or overgrooming.

Types of cat enrichment:

💡 Pro Tip: Rotate toys every few days to keep them “new” and exciting.

Have a look in our shop for some cat enrichment ideas.

😼 Common Cat Behaviour Problems and How to Fix Them

Understanding what’s normal versus problematic helps you intervene early and prevent stress.

1. Scratching Furniture

Why it happens: Cats scratch to mark territory and stretch their muscles.
How to Fix it:

• Provide sisal or cardboard scratching posts near favourite rest spots.

• Sprinkle catnip or use pheromone sprays to attract them.

• Never punish — instead, reward your cat when they use the right surface.

2. Litter Box Issues

Possible causes: Dirty litter box, wrong location, or medical conditions.
Fix it:

• Keep boxes clean (scoop daily).

• Use unscented clumping litter and quiet locations.

• Contact Vet on a Bike to look at possible veterinary reasons. 

• General rule: one litter box per cat + one extra.

3. Excessive Meowing or Night Activity

Causes: Boredom, attention-seeking, or hunger.
Fix it:

• Schedule two play sessions daily (morning & evening).

• Use automatic feeders for late-night snacks.

• Don’t respond to every meow — reward calm, quiet behaviour instead.

4. Aggression or Fearful Behaviour

Causes: Overstimulation, fear, or poor socialization.
Fix it:

• Identify and remove triggers (e.g., loud noises or rough handling).

• Give your cat hiding spots and vertical space for safety.

• Use gradual desensitization with treats and praise.

• Seek professional help if aggression persists.

5. Destructive or Withdrawn Behaviour

Causes: Stress, boredom, or environmental changes.
Fix it:

• Create safe zones where your cat can retreat.

• Offer new interactive toys and puzzles.

• Maintain a consistent daily routine.

🏡 Simple Cat Enrichment Ideas for Every Home

Even in small apartments, enrichment is easy!

• 🪴 Cat-safe plants: catnip, cat grass, or silver vine. Be careful not to get a poisonous plant - check out our blog post about poisonous things for cats for some more information!

• 🪟 Window perches: give your cat a view of the outdoors.

• 🧩 Puzzle feeders: turn mealtime into hunting time.

• 🧗 Vertical spaces: cat trees, shelves, or bookcases.

• 📦 DIY toys: paper bags, boxes, or toilet roll tubes.

• 🎣 Interactive play: use wand toys or feather teasers twice a day.

✨ What the science says: A 2020 study in Applied Animal Behaviour Science showed that cats given daily play sessions were calmer and less destructive.

❤️ When to Seek Professional Help

If your cat shows sudden changes in mood, aggression, or litter habits, consult a veterinarian or feline behaviour consultant. Behaviour issues can often be linked to pain, anxiety, or medical conditions.

🐈 Final Thoughts: Building a Happy, Enriched Life

Cats aren’t mysterious — they’re just misunderstood. As a first-time cat owner, your job is to meet their physical and emotional needs through enrichment, patience, and routine.

By enriching your cat’s world, you’ll prevent behaviour problems before they start — and build a stronger, happier bond that lasts a lifetime.

📚 References

1. Ellis, S.L.H., & Wells, D.L. (2020). The influence of enrichment on the behaviour of domestic cats. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 223, 104929.

2. Amat, M., et al. (2019). Feline behavior problems: The influence of environment and owner. Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 30, 42–49.

3. Overall, K.L. (2013). Manual of Clinical Behavioral Medicine for Dogs and Cats. Elsevier.