Cat behavior

First rule out a medical cause with your vet (cystitis, pain and diabetes all cause accidents). Then rethink the litter setup: one more box than the number of cats, kept clean, in a quiet spot away from food bowls. Cut down on stress, and clean any accidents with an enzymatic cleaner so the spot stops smelling like a bathroom. Never punish, it makes the problem worse.

Cats are most active at dawn and dusk. Nighttime wake-ups usually mean hunger, boredom or a bid for attention. A good play session in the evening followed by a meal, an enriched environment during the day, and not responding to nighttime demands all help shift their rhythm.

A few good signs: slow blinks in your direction, eating and playing with enthusiasm, exploring, sleeping peacefully, seeking contact without being clingy. Purring alone proves nothing, cats also purr in pain, so read it with the rest of the body. A cat that hides constantly, eats less or licks itself until the fur comes out is expressing distress instead.

Yes, but with positive reinforcement (rewards, play), never punishment. Cats pick up litter habits, coming when called, using the scratching post or getting into the carrier very well when the right behavior is made pleasant and the wrong one pointless. Coercion only breeds stress and mistrust.