Cats and Trails and Garden Tales
Musings on cats, travel, gardens and life
Cats Behaving Badly – or just Behaving as Cats
“Benji, guess what? I got a new book. It’s called, “Cats Behaving Badly - Why Cats do the Naughty Things They Do,” by Celia Haddon.
“Is Tiger acting up again, Sue?”
“Actually no, Benji, I was thinking of you.”
“Me?? What on earth are you talking about?”
“Honestly I was considering some of your behaviors, and how we might change them.”
“Which behaviors, Sue? This one?”
“No, not that. I allowed you to mess with my crafts, even found it cute.”
“Is it that you don’t like me sleeping in your camera bag?”
“No, I don’t mind that as long as my camera’s not in it.”
“How about your inbox?”
“No, that’s okay, Benji. Just don’t shred the papers.”
“Well then, what’s the problem?”
“I was thinking of my chair, Benji. The one you can’t refrain from scratching every morning. I was wondering why the squirt bottle hasn’t worked.”
“Then I read this, ‘Cats that scratch furniture in the presence of their owners have discovered that it is a way of getting human attention, if not human approval.’ I think you just want my attention in the morning. Is that it, Benji?”
“You’re slow, Sue, but that’s part of it.”
“It also says, ‘An indoor cat has to scratch somewhere in the house and, if there are no posts available, he will scratch your furniture.’ Honestly Benji, you’re not exactly an indoor cat, you’ve got the whole backyard at your disposal. What more do you want?”
“I’m not outside all the time, Sue. And the little cardboard box on the floor isn’t great. I’d rather stand and stretch my legs while I scratch.”
“I see. A new scratching post, a deluxe model, will that help?”
“That should do, Sue. I’ll let you know after you get it.”
“Okay, Benji.” I’ll go shopping this week.”
“Thanks, Sue. I’m glad the book helped you!”
“It did, Benji, just not the way I hoped it would.”
“When cats behave in ways that are difficult for us, we are the ones who have to change. we can’t change them, except by changing ourselves.”
And all the cats said, ‘amen!’
~ from the desk of Susanne and Benji
Cats and Trails and Garden Tales 
Such a fun post, Susanne, and Benji is such a beautiful cat! I think the ear being clipped means that the cat has been sterilised, right?
Thanks, John. Yes, some rescue organizations clip the ear to show the cat has been neutered. A bit of overkill I think, but it helps them know, if the cat is back on the street.
It’s 100% overkill and wrong, Susanne. Benji has the sweetest little face! 🥰
When I last had a cat, (1970s) I bought a scratching post for it. But it much preferred to shred the back of the sofa when I wasn’t looking. So I wouldn’t trust Benji to use the new post. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
For now, I’m at least thankful he is only scratching the chair in my office! If he goes for the good furniture in the living room, I might need another solution. But I’m hoping a new scratching post will help. We shall see.
The picture of Benji when he’s saying “Me??” is perfect! I think he will like his scratching post. Foster really likes his, plus it has a little round bed on top where he likes to sleep. But he does have his chair in the living room that he is allowed to scratch on😬 so that seems to keep him from scratching the other chairs. Usually…
It’s a never-ending battle! I bought him a new perch a few years ago, thinking it could also be used as a scratching post. But it didn’t quite work out that way. I’m hoping a new super-duper deluxe post will solve the problem! If not, I will have to continue modifying my behavior! 😉 🙂
Yep they do have us trained!
What a funny post. Aren’t cats the best way for waking up our attention, even when we are tired? Our cat – we had it till 2010 – we had called like a noble. So we had to allow him every thing, and than he behaved this way.;-) Best wishes, and good luck with the scratching post. xx Michael
Thanks for your comment, Michael! 😻 They do know how to get their own way! I’ll let everyone know how the new scratching post goes. 😊
They may be bad by our standards, but they’re doing what comes natural. Ya gotta love ’em!!
Exactly right! Living according to their cat nature. Love ’em or leave ’em. 😸 I choose to love them. 😻
Such a cute face! Cats are easy to forgive.
Thank you! Far too easy! 🙂
Good thing you are adorable- you can get away with anything.
Exactly right! 😸😸
So very true!!
Yep!! 😸😹
Oh, this is lovely! I do hope Benji likes his new post, and that it helps you too! But as you said, you can’t really change how a cat behaves, maybe just steer them gently in a new direction IF they are happy to be steered!
Thanks, Sarah! Benji has been quite persistent in using my office chair for scratching! Yesterday I bought a new post, nice and tall and put it in a prominent place in my office. Tiger has already used it; still waiting for Benji, but I’m hopeful! 🙂
If you have an indoor cat and you provide a scratching post, you can guarantee that Kitty will scratch everything but the post. Don’t ask me how I know this.
Ah, yes! 🙂 It’s a continual challenge! Both of my cats are indoor and outdoor and have plenty to scratch on outside. And I have other small posts inside that Tiger uses. Only Benji has the bad habit of scratching on my chair. I just bought a larger post and will do my best to encourage him to use it! We shall see. 🙂
It’s a good thing people think ornery cats are adorable. Right, Benji?
Ornery? Who me?? 😹😻
Ah, yes, Benji. My little Champ is pretty good at playing innocent too. LOL
My boy cat would tear up TP, my mail , eat tape , run infront of me all the time real fast to beat me up or down the stairs , smack my face at 6 am to feed him. I would do anything to feel all of that again. I miss him. I’m
Sure your cat is keeping you on your toes !
Awww. 😻 I know what you mean. They can be such rascals but so adorable and loving too.