Behaviors are repeated because they provide a pay-off for the cat. If your cat is displaying an unwanted behavior, there's a valid reason from the cat's point of view. It could be due to a medical issue and the behavior is providing relief, or it could be how a cat relieves sress, or the behavior could be a normal, natural behavior in the cat world (such as scratching on a object). Your job is to figure out the reason. Once you know the underlying cause, you are in the best position to fix the problem.

Our children learn by watching how we treat animals.

Having the option to hide is valuable for your cat. It provides a place for a cat to be "invisible" while evaluating the immediate circumstances. It's an important way to help a cat cope with stress. Hiding places, especially ones that are smaller, also offer extra warmth. They also provide security because the cat knows no one can ambush him from behind. And during playtime, a hiding place gives the cat an opportunity to remain undetected by his "prey" while he plans his next move.

Each cat could undoubtedly come up with their own unique list of preferences, but this list of 15 things can serve as a starting point. catbehaviorassociates.com/15…

Even cats who typically love to be close and enjoy affection, may have times when they want some personal space.

Are you bringing a new kitten home? This is going to be a happy and exciting time but it’s also a critical period of learning for your new feline family member. catbehaviorassociates.com/10…

If your cat likes vertical scratching, the post you get must be tall and sturdy. In addition to claw conditioning, scratching on a post is one way a cat can get a full body stretch, unkinking all those muscles. Make sure the scratching post measures up.

As obligate carnivores, cats didn't need to develop a taste for carbohydrates. When they taste something sugary sweet, it doesn't come across as sweet in the way we would detect it with our taste buds.

When you set up the litter box, make sure it truly is cat-friendly. So many times during consultations I would see set-ups that were designed for client appeal (meaning located in the most remote spot, too small for the cat, and rarely scooped). The litter box is such an important aspect of your cat's daily life and health, so be sure it measures up.

Hide and seek.. 😂

What are your cat's favorite elevated places? Pearl loved to watch the indoor and outdoor world from her cat tree. Everyone in our family knew the rule about leaving her alone when she was on the tree. It was her signal that she didn't want to be disturbed. Even the dog knew not to even make an attempt to jump onto the bottom perch.

Have you ever offered your cat a puzzle feeder? Pearl loved her selection of puzzle feeders and enjoyed whatever challenge I gave her. If you're considering it, start out with something very basic and easy. Don't frustrate your cat. This is supposed to be a rewarding experience. Some cats may never get beyond the most basic feeder and that's perfectly fine.

Be mindful when considering where to place your cat's litter box.

Does your cat like to chew on the houseplants? Many cats crave greens but chewing on plant leaves is extremely dangerous as almost all plants are toxic to cats. To satisfy your cat's desire for greenery, consider growing some safe cat grass. You can find cat grass kits at your local pet product store or online. You can also find already sprouted grass at many organic food stores and some pet product stores.

Have you played with your cat today?

Keep the right attitude when training your cat. Remember, it isn't about punishing for unwanted behavior, but rather, it's about understanding WHY a behavior is being displayed so you can create a better option. The goal in training is to have a better relationship with your cat. Never use fear or punishment. Be a kind and gentle teacher.

The flexibility of the cat's spine seems almost impossible at times.

There are ways the mother cat teaches her kittens that we can not effectively replicate. When training, focus on being a gentle and positive teacher.

Is your cat avoiding the litter box? Never resort to punishment. I know the situation is frustrating but there is always a valid reason for the behavior. Your job is to identify the underlying cause.

When doing an interactive play session, if the room doesn't have enough areas for the cat to hide while sneaking up closer to the "prey", lay out some objects to allow kitty to maximize being stealthy.