Why Is My Cat So Possessive?

Welcome to Sunday’s Cats.com Newsletter.

In this week’s newsletter, we’ll talk about possessive behavior in cats—what’s normal, what isn’t, and what you can do when your cat takes it too far.

And read to the end to learn about Tater, who needs your help to get corrective eye surgery.

Many Cats Have a Favorite Person.

When there are multiple people in the home, it’s normal for a cat to develop a favorite. I’m the only human in my household, however, and yet my cat Munchkin is very possessive of me—especially around my dog. She’s always pretty affectionate with me, but when Archie tries to sneak in some cuddles, she’ll often hiss or swat at him.

Other pets are common triggers for possessiveness in cats, but the behavior can also be brought on by guests or visitors and new additions to the family (either human or animal). Signs of possessiveness aren’t always obvious.

• Their behavior changes when another person or pet interacts with their favorite person.
• Your cat becomes aggressive toward other pets (hissing, growling, or swatting). 
• They become more demanding of your affection, even vocalizing to get your attention.
• Your cat starts to act out, exhibiting undesirable behaviors more frequently than usual.

• The Best Cat Food
• The Best Cat Litter
• The Best Cat Litter Boxes
• The Best Cat Insurance

There’s nothing wrong with your cat having a preference for one member of your family—it’s normal for cats to choose a favorite person.

It only becomes a problem if your cat’s possessive behavior puts others at risk or if their own stress becomes severe. The best way to prevent such issues is to introduce significant changes to your cat’s routine or environment as gradually as possible. It may also help to interrupt negative behavior cycles (like fighting between two cats) and encourage alternative behaviors.

Check below for some products to help you redirect a cat’s possessive behavior.

Distract Your Cat with a Teaser Wand.

When your cat’s possessiveness kicks in and they start to grumble or hiss, redirect their attention with an irresistible teaser toy. This cardboard and wire teaser from Frisco is simple but effective—and it’s inexpensive, so you can keep one in every room.

This teaser toy consists of a flexible wire skewered with pieces of cardboard for your cat to chase after. The wire is slightly curved, giving it an erratic, attention-grabbing bounce.

Encourage Healthy Interactions with Interactive Toys.

If tensions are running high in your multi-cat household, try using interactive toys to encourage healthy interactions between your cats. The Catit Senses Super Roller Circuit enables your cats to play at the same time while keeping some distance between them.

This toy consists of a captive ball track with large openings spaced at intervals around the course for your cats to reach in and bat the ball as it rolls by. The track can be reconfigured into multiple shapes, and it pairs well with other Catit interactive toys.

• Frisco Cardboard & Wire Teaser Cat Toy
• Catit Design Senses Circuit Cat Toy

Cats.com receives a commission on purchases made through this product recommendation. This helps us to continue our mission of giving you the best cat information on the web. Thank you for your support!

TATER NEEDS YOUR HELP!

Tater, a 5-year-old domestic shorthair in Florida, is suffering from entropion, a painful condition in which the eyelid turns inward, causing the eyelashes to rub against the eye. If left untreated, entropion can lead to permanent eye damage. This month, Cats.com seeks to raise $1,600 so Tater can receive corrective eye surgery.

Do you have a few dollars to spare for Tater’s sake? Make a donation here.

A Sneak Peek At Tuesday’s mailer.

If you’re tired of finding litter scattered all over your house, you won’t want to miss Tuesday’s mailer. In it, we’ll reveal the qualities that affect the degree to which any cat litter product tracks and introduce a low-tracking solution we think you’ll love.