One of the reasons that there are so many cat lovers is that, in addition to extensive variation in size, color, and appearance, cats behavior is so varied -from aloof to loving, boring to downright eccentric, and all gradations in between.

Every cat has his or her own character and peculiarities. Growing up with thirteen of them at once can therefore be quite entertaining and amusing. Pansy was one of our first cats and she was on the quieter side. She enjoyed spending time resting on our dictionaries and reference books.

Eric, a short-haired marmalade, made up for his occasional lapses in litter box training by being the cat that was always there with you if you were sick or upset. Tinker, the smartest, was able to open a step-on garbage can effortlessly and, whenever he found my guitar lying around, would lay there happily plinking out tunes by the hour.

An important thing for you to know about your cats behavior is what is "normal" for him or her. If he goes nuts running up and down the hallway every night at the same time it's probably one of his eccentricities. The same behavior in a cat that is normally more peaceful might be a clue that there is something disturbing her, which could be anything from not feeling well to resenting your Aunt Tillie's visit.

Cats are affected by changes in their environment and want things a certain way - their way. I learned this when my feline decided she detested the cat little we were using in her box. She simply stopped using the litter box and I eventually realized she preferred ripped newsprint. Other reasons a cat might stop using their cat box and instead soil their environment by spraying or defecating is because of changes that affect their sense of safety or make them feel insecure and unstable.

Generally speaking cats behavior, like humans, can be varied. If you are aware of which behavior is "normal" for your cat, it will be easier for you to pick up on behavioral variations that indicate something is wrong.

Cat behavior ranges from loving to distant, lazy to hyperactive, and shy to bold. This spectrum is normal, but if your cat is suddenly doing something unusual for her, it may signal a problem. Cats need to feel safe, and shifts in routine may cause unusual behavior. Changing the type of litterbox fill, for example, may result in a cat that refuses to use the litterbox at all. Realize that cats behavior is as varied as human behavior. Cat lovers need to know what's baseline "normal" for their cat to pick up on behavioral variations that are trying to tell them something.