Cats appear independent. They seem self-sufficient, needing no one, and only approaching when they feel like it. But beneath that confident exterior lies a creature that notices the slightest changes in its surroundings and is highly sensitive to our behaviors.
The difficult part is this: many of the things you do that upset your cat, you do thinking you're being kind. You keep their food bowl full. You buy them lots of toys. You pick them up and pet them. None of this comes from malice—it just comes from not knowing how a cat sees the world.
Below, we've listed the 22 most common mistakes cat parents make, from 22 down to 1. Alongside each, you'll find what you should do instead. Most are simple enough to correct by tonight.
22. Playing with a laser pointer
Watching a cat chase a red dot is fun. The cat stealthily approaches, pounces, then looks around confused when it finds nothing under its paw.
That's precisely the problem. Cats love to chase, but the final step in the hunting cycle is catching. Every time they fail to catch something, it leaves an incomplete task, which over time can turn into frustration.
Solution: Direct the laser to a finish point. After leading your cat around the room, guide the light onto an actual toy and leave it there. Let the cat catch the toy, bite it, kick it. There should be a reward at the end of the hunt.
21. Piling everything in the same corner
This is very common, especially in small apartments: the litter box, water bowl, food bowl, bed, and toys all in the same corner of the same room.
This arrangement seems practical to you. Not to the cat. A cat wants to separate its eating area from its toilet area—this is a cleanliness instinct from kittenhood. You'd also be uncomfortable if you had to eat your meals next to the toilet every day.
Solution: Move the litter box as far away from the food and water as possible. Ideally, in different rooms; if this isn't possible, at least to opposite corners of the room.
20. Leaving the cat in the dark
The phrase "cats can see in the dark" isn't entirely accurate. Cats have many rod cells in their eyes, so they see much better than us in dim light. But in absolute darkness, they can't see either.
A cat left alone in a completely dark house becomes anxious. This is a serious source of stress, especially for cats whose owners go to work in the evening or spend the night out.
Solution: Turn on a small night light when you go out. Your cat being able to see its surroundings is enough for it to feel safe.
19. Leaving all toys out
Your cat probably has a box full of toys, and probably plays with none of them. The logic of "more toys, happier cat" works in reverse here: a toy constantly lying around becomes more like a piece of furniture than prey for a cat.
Solution: Rotate toys. Keep one group out for a week, and store the rest in a closed box. Two weeks later, the same mouse that reappears becomes a brand new prey for the cat.
18. Disrupting the hunt-eat-sleep cycle
Many people keep their cat's food bowl constantly full. It seems logical: the cat eats when it's hungry.
But think of a cat in nature. What motivates it is hunger. Chasing toys at home is also a mimicry of that same instinct. If food is constantly available, the cat never truly gets hungry, so its hunting drive isn't triggered. The result: a less active, overweight, and bored cat.
Solution: Feed at specific times of the day. Play for 10–15 minutes right before feeding. This sequence aligns with the cat's natural cycle: hunt, eat, groom, sleep.
When you switch to portion control, the nutritional density of the food becomes even more important. The use of antibiotic-free meat and a balanced protein ratio in Kito dry foods makes it easier to provide a satisfying meal with less quantity. If you don't know the appropriate portion for your cat's age and weight, you can use the Create a Feeding Plan tool.
17. Picking up the cat incorrectly
Lifting by the scruff, picking up by the armpits, or pulling by the front legs—all of these cause discomfort, and sometimes injury, to the cat. A mother cat carrying her kitten by the scruff does not apply to an adult cat; an adult cat's weight is not structured to be carried by that skin.
Solution: Place one hand under its chest, support its hind legs with the other hand, and lift the cat by resting it against your chest. Keep its head close to your shoulder. Never concentrate its weight at a single point.
16. Disturbing them while they eat
A cat is vulnerable while eating. Its head is bowed into the bowl, unable to see its surroundings. Some cats dislike being touched, watched, or even stood near during this time.
A home that constantly interferes during mealtime creates a feeling in the cat of "I can't eat comfortably here." Over time, this feeling can turn into loss of appetite or carrying food to another place.
Solution: Observe your cat's body language during meals. If its ears go back and its tail curls, give it space. Place the food bowl in a quiet corner, not in high-traffic corridors.
15. Using bowls that cramp their whiskers
Whiskers are a sensory organ for cats. They help them navigate in narrow spaces and are extremely sensitive. The constant rubbing of whiskers against the sides of a narrow, deep bowl while eating bothers the cat—this is called "whisker fatigue."
Symptoms may sound familiar:
- The cat takes food out of the bowl with its mouth and drops it on the floor
- It eats the food spread on the edge of the bowl but doesn't touch the food in the middle
- It looks hungry even when the bowl is full
Solution: Use wide, shallow, and flat bowls. The whiskers should not touch the sides at any point.
14. Petting too roughly
Cats are more delicate than dogs. They have more nerve endings in their skin, so they are much more sensitive to touch. An energetic stroke that a dog enjoys can be too much for a cat.
Solution: Pet gently and slowly. Go in the direction of the fur. Most cats love the chin, cheeks, and behind the ears; the belly and base of the tail are sensitive areas for most cats. Stop when the tail starts thrashing vigorously.
13. Punishing them
What we call "punishment," a cat interprets as "attack." Cats have a limited capacity to connect events; they cannot associate a reaction given minutes after an event with the behavior itself.
Spraying water, yelling, rubbing their nose in something—none of these convey the message "don't do that" to a cat. They only convey the message "this human sometimes scares me for no reason." The result is anxiety and loss of trust.
Solution: Instead of punishing, change the environment. If it jumps on the counter, make the counter unattractive and place a high, cat-owned space nearby. Reward desired behavior—a small freeze-dried treat is sufficient for this.
12. Neglecting water
Cats in nature prefer running water because running water is cleaner than stagnant water. This instinct continues at home—which is why many cats wait under the faucet but won't touch the water in their bowl.
Dehydration is not a small issue for cats. Cats that chronically drink too little water are much more prone to urinary tract and kidney problems. Water intake must be closely monitored, especially for cats fed dry food.
Solution: Change the water daily and wash the bowl, even if it's full. Place multiple water bowls in different spots around the house. If your cat shows interest in running water, a water fountain is a worthwhile investment. Another way to increase water intake is to add fresh/wet food to their meals.
11. Playing roughly with hands
A kitten wrestling with your hand is cute. The same cat doing the same thing when it's 5 kilos stops being cute.
Cats learn how to play with us from us. When you offer your hand as a toy, you teach them that attacking hands is acceptable. Then we ask, "Why is it suddenly biting?"
Solution: Always put a toy between your hand and the cat during play—a wand toy, plush toy, tunnel. If the cat goes for your hands, end the game immediately and move away. Watch its body language during play: flattened ears, dilated pupils, and tail thrashing mean "enough."
10. Using essential oils
Some essential oils are toxic to cats. Peppermint and tea tree oil are among the main culprits; even diffusing them in the air can lead to poisoning. Cats cannot metabolize these compounds in their liver, so they accumulate in their bodies.
Things to avoid in cat households:
- Peppermint
- Tea tree
- Eucalyptus
- Cinnamon
- Citrus oils
Solution: Options like rosemary and cedarwood are generally considered safe, but still use them in well-ventilated areas and at low concentrations. Ensure your cat can leave the room.
9. Insufficient number of litter boxes
Some cats do not share litter boxes. The toilet is also a territorial marking tool for cats; a box carrying the scent of another cat means "this is not mine" to the cat.
Solution: General rule: number of cats + 1 litter boxes. If you have two cats, three boxes. Distribute the boxes in different rooms—placing three side by side is perceived as one large box.
8. Interrupting their sleep
Cats sleep up to 16 hours a day. This is not laziness, but energy management for a predatory animal. Constantly interrupted sleep directly affects the cat's mood: a grumpier, more reactive, and shyer cat emerges.
Solution: Provide your cat with a quiet, warm, and elevated sleeping area. Do not pick them up while they are sleeping, do not wake them for photos. Wait for moments when they are awake for play and interaction.
7. Using plastic food bowls
Plastic bowls get scratched over time. Bacteria accumulate in those scratches and are not completely cleaned with normal washing. This leads to feline acne in some cats—seen as black dots and swelling under the chin.
Plastic also retains odors. A cat's nose is much more sensitive than ours; a bowl carrying the scent of yesterday's food can curb its appetite.
Solution: Switch to stainless steel or ceramic bowls. Both are non-porous, do not retain odors, and are hygienically cleaned in the dishwasher.
6. Not cleaning the litter box often enough
The litter box should be cleaned daily; for feces, immediately if possible. The fact that it doesn't smell to you means nothing—a cat's sense of smell is many times stronger than yours.
The result of a dirty litter box is usually this: the cat stops using the box and instead turns to the carpet, bed, or laundry basket. Then we mistakenly call this "stubbornness."
Solution: Scoop at least once a day, and remove feces immediately when you notice them. Completely empty and wash the box with warm water once a week—do not use scented detergents, as the cat will also be bothered by that smell.
5. Forcing them to be a lap cat
Not every cat is a lap cat. Forcing a cat onto your lap, hugging it, or holding it causes discomfort and over time leads it to avoid you. When a cat learns "this human grabs me every time they see me," it stops approaching.
Solution: Let them make the first move. Sit next to them, stay calm, extend your hand but don't push. The closeness that develops when a cat comes on its own accord is much more lasting.
4. Giving contradictory signals
Allowing them on the counter one day and scolding them the next. Giving them a bite from the table sometimes and chasing them away others. For the cat, this means a world where rules change randomly.
Cats feel safe with predictability. Uncertainty is one of the most common sources of chronic stress in cats.
Solution: Establish a single set of rules that everyone in the household follows. If "counter is forbidden," then it should always be forbidden. Don't forget to offer alternatives to the cat when setting rules—place an elevated area belonging to the cat near the forbidden spot.
3. Not providing vertical space
For cats, safety is related to height. Looking down from above provides both observation and escape possibilities. A cat living only at ground level means it cannot use half of its home.
This is especially important in multi-cat households: vertical space allows cats to create distance from each other without conflict and reduces tension.
Solution: A cat tree, wall shelves, a window perch, or an empty corner on top of a cabinet. Make sure there are steps between the elevated areas that the cat can jump across.
2. Rushing social introductions
Bringing a new cat, a new dog, or a new person into the home and exposing the cat to them without preparation can cause serious stress. A bad first introduction can lay the groundwork for months of tension.
Solution—gradual introduction:
- First, keep the new animal in a separate room.
- Perform scent swapping: exchange blankets where the two animals have slept.
- Let them get used to each other's scent from behind a closed door.
- Only open the door after both are calm and several days have passed.
The same rule applies to guests: they should not approach the cat; the cat should approach them.
1. Not respecting a cat's nature
This is the underlying mistake of the entire list. Cats are not small dogs. They are not furry humans. They come with instincts to hunt, climb, scratch, and mark territory. Preventing these behaviors means preventing the cat from being itself — and the result is stress, behavioral problems, and sometimes physical illness.
If the nighttime zoomies are driving you crazy, the cat isn't being spiteful: it's telling you it's not getting enough play during the day. If it's not using the scratching post you bought, it's not stopping scratching — it just doesn't like that material.
Solution: Redirect instincts instead of suppressing them.
- Scratching: Experiment with different materials — cardboard, carpet, sisal. Offer both horizontal and vertical options. Place the post next to where the cat already scratches.
- Hunting: Twice a day, 10–15 minutes of active play. End the game with a "catch."
- Climbing: Have at least one high spot in the house.
- Exploration: Cardboard boxes, paper bags, new scents. It doesn't have to be expensive.
A cat whose nature is accommodated feels secure, confident, and peaceful. The difference is visible from the first week.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does playing with a laser pointer really harm cats?
The laser itself is not harmful; the problem is the incomplete hunting cycle. The cat chases but never catches. If you end the game each time by leaving the light on a real toy, the problem disappears. Also, never point the light directly into the cat's eyes.
How many litter boxes should there be?
The general rule is the number of cats + 1. If you have one cat, two boxes; if you have two cats, three boxes. Distributing the boxes in different rooms is much more effective than placing them side by side.
My cat takes food out of the bowl and spills it on the floor, why?
One of the most common reasons is whisker fatigue: the bowl is narrow and deep, and the whiskers constantly rub against the edge. Switching to a wide and shallow bowl resolves the issue in most cases within a few days. If the problem persists, consult your vet for tooth/gum pain.
Can cats really see in the dark?
They see much better than us in dim light because their retinas have a high density of rod cells and a reflective layer called the tapetum lucidum. But in pitch darkness, cats cannot see either. Leaving a small night light in the house is sufficient.
What should I do instead of punishing my cat?
Change the environment and reward the desired behavior. Cats cannot connect punishment with behavior; they only learn to fear you. If it jumps on the counter, place a height of its own nearby and reinforce it with a small reward when it uses that spot.
My cat isn't drinking enough water, what can I do?
Refresh the water daily, wash the bowl, place multiple bowls in different parts of the house, and try a water fountain if it shows interest in running water. Adding wet/fresh food to meals also significantly increases daily water intake. This is especially important for cats fed dry food.
Are essential oils dangerous for cats?
Some are, yes. Peppermint, tea tree, eucalyptus, cinnamon, and citrus oils can have toxic effects on cats; even diffusing them into the air is risky. Cats cannot metabolize these compounds in their liver, so they accumulate in their bodies. In case of suspected exposure, contact your veterinarian without delay.
Final words
If you recognized yourself in a few of these 22 points while reading, it doesn't mean you're a bad cat parent. On the contrary — the fact that you're curious enough to read them is half the battle.
Don't try to change everything in one day. Pick one thing this week. Maybe washing the water bowl every day, maybe moving the food bowl away from the litter box, maybe playing with a fishing rod toy for 15 minutes in the evening. Your cat will notice the difference.
And remember: good care is always based on good nutrition. Feeding them healthily is more valuable than anything else. Kito's healthy food ecosystem was established for this reason. As Kito, you can examine our foods prepared with antibiotic-free meat, GMO-free ingredients, and balanced formulas, and use the Create a Nutrition Plan tool for a personalized program for your cat. The more balanced your cat's daily meal, the more stable its energy, coat health, and mood will be. Adding Kito Fish Oil to meals for coat and skin health provides Omega 3 and 6 support.
This content is for general informational purposes. If you observe behavioral changes, loss of appetite, or health problems in your cat, consult your veterinarian.
Its health, your peace of mind.
Kito Research Team
