If you are involved in a rescue program, or a stray cat just showed up at your door, odds are that you might have a rescue cat with a behavior problem.
The number one reason cats are abandoned are due to behavior problems.
Here are some pointers on how to deal with them.
Two of the most common behavior problems that rescue cats have are litter box problems and aggression issues.
Since you do not likely know how the cat was treated previously you have to start from basics.
For litter box issues, it is important to see a vet to at least rule out a possible medical cause.
Once it is determined it is only a behavioral issue, I often start by isolating the cat in one room of the house, until it can demonstrate that it can use the litter box successfully.
Aggression issues in rescued cats can be harder to deal with.
You don't know if they were abused or orphaned as kittens, so you again have to start with the basics.
Sometimes just gaining the trust of a stray cat is a big step forward.
I normally start with just getting them to accept petting and then I progress from there.
For really aggressive cats, sometimes confinement in a carrier or room is the best course of action until they can calm down enough to at least allowing petting.
Dealing with rescue cats can be very rewarding, but when it comes to the hassle of behavior problems, it can really drain you of energy.