What is Possessive Behavior in Cats?
Possessive behavior in cats refers to actions that demonstrate a cat feeling a sense of ownership over their human companion. This can manifest in decreased sociability, increased territorial marking, aggression, and demanding behavior.
Some common examples of possessive cat behavior include:
- Following the owner and wanting to be near them at all times
- Rubbing on the owner and marking them with scent glands
- Sitting in the lap of or blocking the owner from interacting with others
- Swatting, hissing, or growling when someone else approaches the owner
- Urinating on or around the owner’s possessions
- Excessive vocalizing for attention when the owner is busy
- Guarding favored sleeping spots or toys from others
In general, possessive cats want to assert dominance and priority over access to their human. They view the owner as belonging to them and will act out to discourage others from intruding. Understanding the motivation behind this behavior is key to curbing possessive actions.
Why Do Cats Become Possessive?
There are several potential reasons why cats may become possessive of their owners:
Anxiety is a major cause of possessive behavior in cats. Cats are territorial animals who feel the need to guard their space and resources. An anxious cat may become clingy and protective of their owner as a source of security and comfort. Changes in routine, introducing new people or animals, or lack of proper socialization can trigger anxiety and possessive behaviors (Source).
Lack of socialization, especially during kittenhood, can lead to poor social skills and fear of strangers as an adult cat. A poorly socialized cat may become overly attached to their owner while acting fearful, aggressive, or aloof towards others (Source).
Medical issues like hyperthyroidism, dementia, or painful conditions can cause personality changes in cats, including increased clinginess, vocalizing, and following their owner constantly. If possessive behavior develops suddenly, a veterinary exam is recommended to check for underlying health problems.
In multi-cat households, competition between cats can also trigger possessiveness as they vie for attention and priority. Cats are sensitive to shifts in relationships and may become clingy and jealous if they perceive another cat is usurping their favored status.
Signs of Possessive Behavior
There are several common signs that may indicate a cat is exhibiting possessive behavior toward their owner:
Aggression is one of the most obvious signs. The cat may become aggressive or show irritability toward other pets or people who interact with the owner. This includes hissing, growling, swatting, or even attacking. The cat sees other animals or people as “threats” competing for the owner’s attention and affection.
Excessive vocalization when the owner shows affection to someone else is another sign. The cat may meow loudly, yowl, or make other noises to get the owner’s focus back on them.
Territorial urine marking is another possessive behavior. The cat may spray urine on objects, furniture, or in areas of the home to spread their scent and mark their “territory.” This sends the message that the owner belongs to them.
Following the owner constantly, needing to be in the same room, and demanding attention are also common in possessive cats. The cat always wants the owner’s attention and doesn’t want to share them with anyone else.1
How to Prevent Possessiveness
There are several ways to help prevent possessive behavior in cats, starting from kittenhood:
Proper socialization as a kitten is crucial. Kittens that are exposed to new sights, sounds, people, and other animals from a young age are less likely to become possessive later in life. Introduce kittens to gentle handling, petting, and cuddling by different people. Allow supervised interactions with other friendly cats and pets so they learn to share attention and affection from an early age.
Providing adequate mental and physical stimulation is also important to curb possessive behaviors before they start. Make sure your cat has plenty of appropriate scratching posts, climbing structures, and toys to keep them engaged and entertained. Interactive playtime, food puzzles, and changing up toys helps prevent boredom. Allowing outdoor access or harness training can also fulfill a cat’s exploratory needs.
Maintaining a predictable routine with set feeding, play, and bonding times makes cats feel more secure. Try to minimize disruptions to their routine, especially around guests, children, or other pets that may alter their schedule. Consistency and reliability helps avoid triggering possessive behavior.
With early positive conditioning, enrichment, and routine, you can help prevent possessiveness and promote sharing in kittens and cats.
[1] [https://cats.com/are-cats-possessive-of-their-owners]
Treating Mild Possessiveness
If your cat is exhibiting mild signs of possessiveness such as following you, meowing for attention, or acting aloof around guests, there are some things you can try at home to curb this behavior:
Increase playtime and exercise – Giving your cat more interactive playtime and exercise can help relieve anxiety and excess energy that may be causing them to become overly attached. Have daily play sessions with toys that encourage chasing and pouncing. Consider getting a cat tree or indoor cat playground so they can climb and scratch.
Use pheromone diffusers – Pheromone diffusers mimic cats’ natural pheromones to help them feel more relaxed. Placing these around your home, especially in areas where your cat likes to spend time, may ease mild possessive tendencies.[1]
Give cats their own spaces – Designate areas in your home just for your cat, like cat trees, beds, and scratching posts. This gives them a place to retreat to when they want alone time or space from guests. Rotate toys to keep their areas novel and interesting.
Treating Severe Possessiveness
In severe cases of possessive behavior in cats, it’s important to consult a veterinarian to rule out underlying medical causes like neurological conditions, pain, or anxiety disorders. Medication may be prescribed to help curb obsessive behavior. According to Cats.com, anti-anxiety medication can be an effective part of treatment for cats with severe separation anxiety or obsessive behaviors related to possessiveness.
Working with a professional animal behaviorist is also recommended for severe possessiveness. A cat behavior expert can help uncover the root causes of possessive behavior through techniques like conducting interviews about the cat’s history and observing the cat’s interactions. Then, they can design an appropriate behavior modification plan which may involve desensitization training, environmental changes, and recommendations for managing the cat’s lifestyle to curb the obsessive attachment. With patience and consistency, the behaviorist can help reshape the cat’s possessive behaviors through positive reinforcement training. However, improvement may be gradual for severe cases.
Creating a Routine
Cats thrive when they have a predictable routine. Having set times for feeding, playing, and grooming can help satisfy a cat’s needs and reduce possessive behaviors. According to How To Discipline A Cat, a consistent daily routine is key for cats since they are creatures of habit.
Try to feed cats at the same times every day. Place food bowls in consistent locations and avoid free-feeding throughout the day. Build play sessions into the routine as well, using interactive toys for stimulation at set times. Grooming can also be scheduled as part of the routine.
Make sure cats receive plenty of positive interactions during the routine like petting, brushing, and treats. Avoid punishing or scolding cats as part of the routine. The main goal is to satisfy their needs in a predictable way.
Sticking to the routine consistently is key. Cats feel more secure when they know what to expect each day. A steady routine can help prevent unwanted behaviors from developing.
Providing Adequate Stimulation
Lack of mental and physical stimulation is one of the major causes of possessive behaviors in cats. Indoor cats especially need daily enrichment to prevent boredom and frustration. There are some great ways to provide your cat with enough stimulation to curb possessive tendencies:
Provide puzzle toys like food-dispensing balls and boards so your cat has to “hunt” for meals. Scratching posts and cat trees allow cats to climb, scratch, and perch which satisfies natural instincts. Rotate toys to keep them interesting and play interactive games like chasing a laser pointer or wand toy every day. According to this article, playtime is crucial for keeping cats mentally happy and content.
Consider getting a second pet like another cat or even a dog so your cat has a companion to interact and play with. The Purina article recommends wand toys to recreate hunting behaviors that provide mental stimulation. Having another pet ensures your cat always has someone to engage with when you are busy or away.
Make mealtimes more challenging by hiding food around the house or putting it in puzzle toys. Offer new boxes, tunnels, and perches to explore and scratch. Engage in long play sessions before bed to tire your cat out. The key is providing an enriched environment that fulfills your cat’s needs for daily activity.
Using Pheromones
Pheromones are chemicals produced by animals to communicate with others of the same species. Cat pheromones can provide calming and reassurance signals to cats. Pheromone diffusers work by releasing synthetic pheromones that mimic a cat’s natural pheromones into the air. The pheromones are odorless to humans but can be detected by a cat’s vomeronasal organ.
According to PetMD, the pheromones are absorbed into the cat’s system through nasal and oral mucous membranes. The pheromones have a calming effect that helps relieve stress, anxiety, and fear in cats. Popular brands of pheromone diffusers made specifically for cats include Feliway and ComfortZone.
Pheromone diffusers should be placed in areas the cat frequents like resting or feeding areas. They should be plugged into an electrical outlet and left on continuously. Refills are required every 30-60 days depending on diffuser type. Make sure to change cartridges according to package directions.
Types of cat pheromones include appeasing pheromones that provide a reassuring signal and territorial pheromones that mark an area as safe. Discuss options with your vet to determine the right pheromone for your cat’s needs.
When to Seek Professional Help
Possessive cat behavior can sometimes become dangerous or destructive, despite an owner’s best efforts to intervene. For example, a very possessive cat may start marking its territory excessively or even become aggressive to the point of attacking people or other pets. If a cat continues to exhibit possessive behavior that you cannot manage or improve through the tips mentioned in this article, it’s time to seek professional help.
Consult with your veterinarian first. They can rule out any underlying medical conditions that could be causing the behavior, such as pain, illness, or sensory decline. If no medical cause is found, the vet may refer you to an animal behavior specialist. These experts can assess your cat’s unique situation and design a customized behavior modification plan. Medications may also be prescribed in extreme cases of aggression or anxiety.
Getting professional help sooner rather than later is recommended if your cat’s possessive behavior is putting you, other people, or other pets in danger. Catching these issues early and taking a multi-pronged approach gives you the best chance of resolving them. With some time and consistency, an animal behavior expert can help you better understand your possessive cat and teach it more socially acceptable ways of expressing its feelings.
Source: https://cats.com/are-cats-possessive-of-their-owners