Understanding Your Cat’s Behaviour: The 3 Most Common Problems

7 Jan

Cats are complex, intelligent animals with rich emotional lives. But when their behaviour changes — or starts affecting your home — it’s not just a phase. Many feline behaviour problems signal deeper emotional stress, conflict, or even underlying medical issues.

In this article, we’ll explore three of the most common cat behaviour problems seen in clinical practice: house soiling, aggression, and feline hyperesthesia syndrome. We’ll also cover how environmental enrichment can reduce stress and improve your cat’s wellbeing — and when it’s time to seek help from a cat behaviourist.

1. House Soiling: Why Is Your Cat Not Using the Litter Box?

Few things worry cat guardians more than discovering urine or faeces outside the litter tray. This common behaviour problem is one of the leading reasons cats are surrendered to shelters — yet it’s also one of the most misunderstood.

A cat that urinates or defecates outside the box is not being "naughty." They may be avoiding the litter box because of a medical issue, a painful association, or environmental stress. The most common causes include:

Inappropriate litter substrate,
Poor box placement,
Dirty conditions,
Inter-cat conflict.

Medical conditions like urinary tract infections, arthritis, or kidney disease must always be ruled out first. Addressing house soiling involves more than just cleaning the mess. It's about identifying why the behaviour started and restoring your cat’s sense of safety and control. This is where a veterinary behaviourist can help, working alongside your regular vet to develop a tailored plan.

2. Aggression in Cats: More Than Just a Bad Mood

Aggression is a natural behaviour in cats — but when it becomes unpredictable, frequent, or dangerous, it needs professional attention. Behavioural aggression is often triggered by fear, frustration, redirected arousal, or even pain. In multi-cat households, tension may simmer beneath the surface, leading to sudden attacks or chronic stress.

Types of aggression include:

Play aggression in younger cats, especially those raised without appropriate socialisation.
Fear-based aggression, which can appear when a cat feels cornered or threatened.
Redirected aggression, where arousal from one trigger (like another cat outside the window) is redirected toward a human or another pet.

A cat that bites, swats, or growls is not trying to dominate — they’re communicating distress. Punishing this behaviour will only increase fear and make the problem worse. Instead, safe management, stress reduction, and behaviour modification are essential.

If your cat’s aggression is escalating or interfering with daily life, it’s time to consult a feline behaviourist who can assess both behavioural and medical factors.

3. Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome: When Your Cat’s Skin Seems to Crawl

Feline hyperesthesia syndrome (FHS) is a puzzling condition that often causes worry and confusion among cat owners. Affected cats may suddenly twitch, run frantically, vocalise, or bite at their tail or flanks. Their pupils may dilate, and their skin might ripple as if they’re hallucinating or reacting to invisible stimuli.

While the exact cause isn’t fully understood, FHS is considered a neurological and behavioural disorder, possibly linked to obsessive-compulsive spectrum behaviours. It may be triggered by stress, boredom, or underlying discomfort.

Managing FHS involves reducing arousal, keeping routines predictable, and avoiding overstimulation. In more severe cases, behaviour medication and structured behaviour therapy are often necessary. A veterinary behaviourist can help differentiate FHS from seizure disorders or pain-related behaviours and develop a treatment plan based on your cat’s history.

Supporting Your Cat Through Environmental Enrichment

Whether your cat is dealing with stress, behavioural issues, or recovering from illness, environmental enrichment is one of the most powerful tools you can use. Enrichment doesn’t mean buying expensive toys — it means creating a stimulating, secure environment that allows your cat to express natural behaviours like climbing, scratching, hunting, and hiding.

Provide vertical spaces like cat trees or wall shelves to give your cat territory and safe observation points.
Offer hiding places in quiet areas.
Puzzle feeders to stimulate foraging behaviour.
Interactive play sessions to help them release energy and build confidence.

Cats thrive on predictability, so feeding and play schedules should be consistent. Even small changes like rotating toys or offering cardboard boxes to explore can make a huge difference in reducing tension and preventing boredom-related behaviour issues.

When to Get Help from a Cat Behaviourist

If your cat is soiling outside the litter box, showing signs of aggression, or experiencing episodes of hyperesthesia, it’s more than just a behavioural phase. These issues often indicate an unmet emotional or physical need — and early intervention can dramatically improve your cat’s quality of life.

At The Online Vet Behaviourist, we offer remote consultations for cat owners across the UK. Our veterinary-led service can assess both the behavioural and medical aspects of your cat’s case, create a personalised treatment plan, and support your progress with empathy and expertise.