The three reasons your cat might be acting a little cranky

Cats often get a bad wrap for being a little standoff-ish but if your furry companion is being a little crankier than usual there could be a few reasons why.

A cat's temperament can be influenced by their upbringing and some cats are simply born that way. 

Even the sweetest, most affectionate cats can suddenly become cranky and behave out of character.

Here are three reasons that could be behind your cat suddenly becoming a little cranky.

Something has changed

Cats love a routine, so when something changes (like moving to a new house, the arrival of a new baby or new pets) it can have an impact on their behaviour. Cats are creatures of habit and tend to be territorial, so a change like this can often cause them to react in a number of ways including withdrawal or aggression.

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To help your cat adjust to new changes, try and keep their environment as calm as possible. Make sure there are places where they feel safe, for example confining them to a single room with a litter box, bedding and home comforts can help them to settle.

Not a fan of sharing

If you've gone from a one cat to a multi-cat household this can definitely cause your pet some stress and anxiety and see them become cranky. It pays to remember that cats don't like to share or queue – especially when it comes to 'resources' such as litter trays and food bowls.

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Lack of space to avoid other cats, competition for territory and lack of individual attention can also add to household friction.

It's always a good idea to provide each cat with their own litter box, food and water bowls and bed as a minimum. Offering multiple sleeping spots and extra scratching posts is even better. 

Underlying medical reasons

If a cat's environment hasn't changed, pain and underlying medical issues could be the reason your cat is not itself.

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Pain can cause cats to behave very differently, and it's easy to mistake a problem as behavioural. Changes in eating, drinking, litter box habits, hiding or avoidance of being touched are all signs of concern.

Should you observe a significant change in your cat's behaviour, then a visit to the vet is the best place to start.