The Cat Behavior Wellness Quiz

How Behaviorally Healthy Cats Act	Always	Sometimes	Never
My cat is friendly toward people she meets – including well-behaved children.
My cat can get along with other cats she lives with.
My cat can be left alone for reasonable time periods without becoming anxious or destructive.
My cat will relieve herself only where I want her to, which is usually in her litterbox.
My cat will let me move her from her sleeping and resting places.
My cat is relaxed during normal, everyday handling and touching such as when I wipe her feet, brush her, look in her ears, pet her, or pick her up.
My cat calms down quickly after being startled or getting excited.
My cat is not overly fearful of normal, everyday events.
My cat will meow at times, but not excessively.
My cat plays well with people without becoming uncontrollable or too rough.
My cat can play well with other family cats, without becoming uncontrollable, too rough or threatening.
My cat plays with her own toys, and doesn’t often damage my possessions.
My cat is affectionate without being needy, clingy or annoying.
My cat can adapt to changes, such as travel, moving, or confinement in a carrier, with minimal problems.
My cat scratches her posts and other items I give her, without often damaging furniture or my belongings.

Results

Remember – how you raise and socialize your cat, and how well you meet her behavioral needs all have a huge impact on her behavioral health. Use this quiz as a positive guide to tell you what you need to work on, and don’t be discouraged or judgmental if your cat’s behavior isn’t everything you want it to be.

If your cat is in peak behavioral health, you answered Always to every question. Congratulations – you and your cat have a great relationship, your cat is sure to be a joy to be around.

If you answered Always to more than half the questions you likely have a good cat whose behavior needs a little tweaking.

If you answered Always to less than half the questions, your cat’ s behavioral health definitely needs some attention.

BUT – not all questions are of equal importance. If your cat is has bitten people, or is so frightened of her world that she spends most of her time hiding, even if you answered Always to all the other questions, your cat’s behavior definitely needs immediate help.

The other behaviors may be more or less important to you, depending on your expectations and lifestyle. For example, you may be tolerant of your cat “missing” the litterbox and relieving herself in your unfinished basement, but if she did the same thing on expensive carpet, you’d be more likely to seek immediate help.

If the quiz reveals your cat has behavior issues that need addressing, Look up your Kitty’s problem to learn more and see what products we have to help you. Also, read our "Guidelines for Choosing a Trainer or Behavior Consultant" so you can find the most qualified person to help you.

ANIMAL BEHAVIOR ASSOCIATES, Inc.
Copyright 2002 All Rights Reserved.
www.AnimalBehaviorAssociates.com
Suzanne Hetts, Ph.D. Daniel Q. Estep, Ph.D.
Any reproduction of this quiz must cite its source. Not for resale or inclusion in any publication for sale without written permission from the authors.