Reasons Behind Cats Playing Pranks and How to Discipline Them When Caught

Are you frequently troubled by your cat’s mischievous behavior? Cats do not play pranks for fun, there is always a reason behind it. Let’s examine why cats play pranks.

✨ Why do cats play pranks?

Many owners may question why their cat engages in mischievous behavior.

Consider the environment in which your cat is living. Is it a stress-free environment for your cat? If the cat is in a stressful environment, it may engage in behaviors that it knows will upset its owner.

Just like humans, cats also experience stress, and this behavior may be a way for them to release that stress. In some cases, the cat may be trying to get its owner’s attention, or it may be seeking to calm itself through the mischievous behavior.

It is important to create a suitable environment for your cat. If your cat lives indoors, it is necessary to provide a space for it to exercise and to maintain cleanliness.

Even if you have a busy schedule, your cat may still want your attention and may engage in mischievous behavior to get it.

✨ How to discipline cats when they play pranks

What should you do if you catch your cat engaging in mischievous behavior? It is important to discipline it immediately.

If you do not discipline the cat immediately, it may not understand that its behavior is wrong. If you wait to discipline the cat, it will not understand what it did wrong.

When you witness mischievous behavior, scold the cat immediately.

You cannot communicate with the cat as you would with a child. Instead, clap your hands to create a loud noise or use a firm, low-pitched “no!” or “stop!” to get its attention.

Physical punishment can harm the trust relationship between you and your cat, so it is best to avoid it.

It is effective to teach the cat that mischievous behavior will result in a loud noise or firm voice, as this will help it understand that the behavior is unacceptable.

✨ How to prevent feline misbehavior?

❂ Store items that can become targets of misbehavior properly

Cats can misbehave in various ways such as playing with tissue paper or toilet paper, chewing on plastic bags, or dropping items from shelves.

The type of misbehavior that each cat exhibits can vary, but items that have already become targets or those that the cat is likely to misbehave with should be stored in a place that is inaccessible to the cat.

There is a risk of accidental ingestion if items are left within reach.

The cat’s tongue has fine, sharp protuberances, which can easily trap anything that is placed in its mouth.

String-like toys and plastic strings are often enticing to cats, but they are also thin and long, making them difficult to vomit once swallowed.

It is important to clean up toys after playing, especially if there is a risk of accidental ingestion.

❂ Allocate time for play

If the owner is at work for most of the day and the cat is left unattended, the cat may become stressed. Many people have come home from work to find their home in disarray as a result of the cat’s behavior.

It is common to be tired after work and to have to clean up before becoming frustrated, but at that point, the cat does not understand why the owner is upset.

Scolding the cat at that moment is not effective if the scolding is not done immediately, as the cat may not associate the behavior with the scolding. It is necessary to take care of the cat during the time it was left unattended, as it is natural for a cat to become frustrated if left alone, just as a human would.

For indoor cats, make sure to provide toys or other items that the cat can play with while the owner is away.

Of course, do not forget to provide proper care for the cat on holidays or other days off.

❂ Alter the surroundings

It is possible that a cat’s misbehavior is a result of their dissatisfaction with their environment, such as the litter box, food, or room.

If the cat is bringing items into the litter box or eating litter, it may be necessary to increase the number of litter boxes, upgrade to a larger litter box, change the type of litter, or increase the cleaning frequency.

Cats are meticulous creatures and are sensitive to unclean litter boxes. If there is waste left by the owner or other cats living in the same space, some cats may refuse to use the litter box.

Retaining waste can also lead to urinary stones or kidney problems.

To ensure your cat’s comfort, give extra attention to the environment surrounding the litter box.

In regards to tipping over food or water bowls, switching to heavier bowls is a potential solution.

Plastic bowls are lightweight and easy to handle, but they can easily be knocked over by the cat’s strength.

It is advisable to use heavier ceramic bowls or automatic water dispensers that provide fresh water at all times.

Cats that are playful, young, or belong to active breeds require an environment where they can properly exercise.

Installing a high cat tower or walkway that they can freely move on, or placing furniture that provides a view outside the window, are also effective options.

Indoor cats also benefit from having a vantage point from which they can observe their territory, or home.

In today’s era where more people are keeping cats in apartments, a cat tower may be considered a necessary item.

✨ Conclusion

It has been established that cats may engage in problematic behavior when they are stressed or seeking attention from their owner.

To reduce such behavior, it is crucial to create a calm environment and communicate effectively with the cat.

Initially, determining what is acceptable behavior and what is not may be challenging, and even without stress, a cat may exhibit problematic behavior.

In such instances, it is important to ensure that the cat understands that their behavior is inappropriate. Building trust through a positive relationship is also vital, as anger will not foster trust.

For those who are passionate about cats and keep them as pets, this should not pose a significant challenge. It is recommended to show them love and affection daily.