By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Michael_Moyssidis]Michael Moyssidis
There are some things you will want your cat to learn. If you plan on living peacefully with your cat, you will need to teach him or her how to live in your house and be well behaved. Things like scratching, biting, licking, jumping, urination, and more are not necessarily acceptable. There are some things you can do to limit these behaviors so that you do not constantly have to fend off your cat when company comes over.
Scratching
You already know that scratching is a normal part of cat behavior. Some people feel that de-clawing their cat is a good way to stop your cat from using his or her claws to harm themselves or their furniture. However, de-clawing is not a very humane way to deal with this simple issue.
Your first step in dealing with a cat that likes to scratch is to give your cat some healthy alternatives. Do you have some scratching posts in the house? If not, you definitely need to consider getting some.
If you only have one post, try getting several.
If you have several scratching posts, but your cat is still scratching up everything in the home, you may need to use some other methods. Your cat may not find the new scratching posts appealing, so you may need to make them more enticing.
First, make sure the post is where your cat loves to scratch the most. Buying 10 scratching posts but putting them all in dark corners will not solve your problem. Your cat is marking territory, so put the posts in those special spots. Use rewards when your cat uses one of the posts. If cats associate good things with the post, it will get used more often. You can even try tying a favorite toy to the post for
them to chase.
Also, you can put a post right next to the cat's bed, because that is when they usually like to scratch the most. If you are still seeing problems, you can also use a spray bottle to rescue you.
First try to remove cat odors from the areas with an odor remover, and then use a citrus spray. Cats do not like the smell of citrus, and they will usually avoid those areas. You can also use a spray bottle filled with water to spray him or her every time your cat returns to the area to scratch again.
A noisemaker will also work in this circumstance. If none of this works, you may just want to keep your cat's nails trimmed or use special nail caps. The caps will not keep your cat from scratching, but they will minimize the damage your cat can inflict on you or your belongings
Michael Moyssidis has been a devoted cat owner for many years. To learn more Cat Training tips, you can visit http://catcareinfosite.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Moyssidis http://EzineArticles.com/?Cat-Training-Tips,-Scratching&id=1120760
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Cat Behavior Problems - Understanding Them
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Paul_Proctor]Paul Proctor
Cats can purr proudly and be contented as the most well known pet in the country whether you've heard it or not. Cats have surpassed dogs as favorites as many people liked their special personalities and their ability to care for themselves. However, many cat owners and non cat owners are worried about cat behavior problems.
House cats are strong and excitable and without proper care they can begin to act like wild animals. Cat lovers know this. They understand that cats have instinctive behaviors. They can adjust their reactions to their pets so that they don't get a cat scratch. A cat bite can also be dangerous and should be avoided.
Many cat behavior problems are only problems to the owners but just doing what comes naturally to the cat. When kittens play, you will see aggression, biting, clawing and wrestling that prepares them for hunting and killing food. Since few of our domestic cats have to forage for food, this behavior is undesirable when the cat is grown and needs to be controlled.
Young cats can be shown how to retract their claws and not scratch people when they're playing around. With regard to training: the younger, the better. There are all sorts of harmless ways to allow a cat's "attack and kill" instincts to be expressed. Catnip playthings and imitation mice are one way of sparing real creatures and also give the cat the opportunity to get some exercise. Feathered playthings are excellent distractions from the hunting of actual birds.
One of the most disturbing domestic cat behavior problems is spraying. "Spraying", a quite natural act, is when a cat sprays urine and the excretions of the scent glands on the borders of its territory to prove its dominance. Unfortunately, its territory can be the walls and furniture in your home. Spraying can be controlled with repellent sprays, behavioral training and neutering the cat.
Some cat behavior problems are actually health issues. Urinating outside the litter box may be because your cat is stressed or angry, but it could also be a sign of a serious medical condition. A cat may wet the carpet due to a urinary tract infection, diabetes or other condition. It is also possible that the litter box is not clean enough for your cat to feel comfortable using it. Check the litter box first, but if a previously clean cat starts having accidents, it a good idea to check with your veterinarian.
Cats are the most popular pets in the country. However, most [http://www.purrfectcatbehavior.com/content/113876-cat-sprayingcat.php ]cat lovers fail to understand that they are descendants of wild predatory cats and hence share the same instincts. Hence, the so-called cat behavior problems are nothing but their natural behavior. The owner needs to train their cats to control these instincts to enjoy their company. Simple solutions like the use of stuffed toys to tire out the kitten would help reduce the instances of [http://www.purrfectcatbehavior.com/ ]cat scratch. Another problem is urination. Though the cat may spray to mark its territory, it could also indicate stress, or other health problems.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Proctor http://EzineArticles.com/?Cat-Behavior-Problems---Understanding-Them&id=1125860
Cats can purr proudly and be contented as the most well known pet in the country whether you've heard it or not. Cats have surpassed dogs as favorites as many people liked their special personalities and their ability to care for themselves. However, many cat owners and non cat owners are worried about cat behavior problems.
House cats are strong and excitable and without proper care they can begin to act like wild animals. Cat lovers know this. They understand that cats have instinctive behaviors. They can adjust their reactions to their pets so that they don't get a cat scratch. A cat bite can also be dangerous and should be avoided.
Many cat behavior problems are only problems to the owners but just doing what comes naturally to the cat. When kittens play, you will see aggression, biting, clawing and wrestling that prepares them for hunting and killing food. Since few of our domestic cats have to forage for food, this behavior is undesirable when the cat is grown and needs to be controlled.
Young cats can be shown how to retract their claws and not scratch people when they're playing around. With regard to training: the younger, the better. There are all sorts of harmless ways to allow a cat's "attack and kill" instincts to be expressed. Catnip playthings and imitation mice are one way of sparing real creatures and also give the cat the opportunity to get some exercise. Feathered playthings are excellent distractions from the hunting of actual birds.
One of the most disturbing domestic cat behavior problems is spraying. "Spraying", a quite natural act, is when a cat sprays urine and the excretions of the scent glands on the borders of its territory to prove its dominance. Unfortunately, its territory can be the walls and furniture in your home. Spraying can be controlled with repellent sprays, behavioral training and neutering the cat.
Some cat behavior problems are actually health issues. Urinating outside the litter box may be because your cat is stressed or angry, but it could also be a sign of a serious medical condition. A cat may wet the carpet due to a urinary tract infection, diabetes or other condition. It is also possible that the litter box is not clean enough for your cat to feel comfortable using it. Check the litter box first, but if a previously clean cat starts having accidents, it a good idea to check with your veterinarian.
Cats are the most popular pets in the country. However, most [http://www.purrfectcatbehavior.com/content/113876-cat-sprayingcat.php ]cat lovers fail to understand that they are descendants of wild predatory cats and hence share the same instincts. Hence, the so-called cat behavior problems are nothing but their natural behavior. The owner needs to train their cats to control these instincts to enjoy their company. Simple solutions like the use of stuffed toys to tire out the kitten would help reduce the instances of [http://www.purrfectcatbehavior.com/ ]cat scratch. Another problem is urination. Though the cat may spray to mark its territory, it could also indicate stress, or other health problems.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Proctor http://EzineArticles.com/?Cat-Behavior-Problems---Understanding-Them&id=1125860
Feline Royalty Cat House Training 101
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Sean_Felker]Sean Felker
Don't worry. Its not going to be difficult. Your wondering how you teach a cat to use a litter box, aren't you? You have got the box filled with litter (ah, yes! The clumping variety I see. (Good choice.) and your armed with the pooper scooper. Your standing over the litter box waiting to see what your new cat does. Don't worry, cat house training doesn't have to be hard!
Cats are clean animals. They prefer to do their business in sand or dirt . . . just about any substance they can paw at and cover their wastes up with. So don't worry. Your dealing with an animal that wants to use some sort of device.
That's half the battle. But there's a little more to cat house training a cat than simply plopping a litter box in a random room. This may sound a bit strange to you, but cats like to use the litter box in private. Yes, if they were people, they would be the type that would not only close the bathroom door completely, they would probably lock the door as well.
Armed with this knowledge, find a place in your home where the box is easily accessible to your cat, but far enough away from the heavy traffic. Tuck the litter box away in a corner of a room or in a small alcove that's not used much. Your cat will certainly appreciate it.
Show your cat where the box is and place her in it to start. She knows instinctively what to do. Your job is to help her out is to ensure that the litter box is kept clean. This task is vastly easier than it used to be, thanks to a handy innovation called clumping litter. Also called scoopable litter, not only will you love this, your cat will love this as well.
With this all you need to do is to scoop the feces and urine out daily. It will be clustered in and amongst the clumps of litter. Then on a regular basis change the entire contents of the box. You will also want to wash the box out regularly with soap and water.
If your feline friend is still a kitten, be sure the sides of the litter box are low enough that she can enter and exit it with ease. If you have a large cat, be sure to get one large enough that he can comfortably move in there.
How many litter boxes do I need? Most cat experts recommend that you have one more box than you have cats. If you have two cats, you need three litter boxes.
If you have done all of this but you discover your cat doesn't like to use his box. You need to consult your veterinarian. Cats are fastidiously clean animals. They don't need too much house training. If your cat is suddenly refusing to use her box, she may have some medical problems that you can't see.
A common reason for cats not using the litter box is stress. Yes, cats do get stressed out. Have you brought a new cat or kitten into the house? That could cause your cat some stress. If you go on vacation and leave her alone. Even if you have had someone looking after her she could be stressed. Even a new piece of furniture (believe it or not) can cause her stress.
It must be noted cats are creatures of habit. They love the daily routine. They rise at about the same time each day . . . sleep about the same time every day . . . and get revved up to do their best playing at the same time. Any activity that breaks this routine could very well cause them stress and cause litter box accidents.
Punishment for not using the litter box don't work very well. Actually, any type of punishment will probably backfire on you. The cat will soon associate the litter box with punishment.
Instead, praise her when she uses the box . . . and try to decipher why she is not using it.
If your cat isn't fully trained or is been having problems using the litter box Never leave the house without first making sure your pet is confined to a specific area. Ensure that she has enough food and water and a warm place to sleep at one end of the room. Place a clean litter box at the other end of the room.
Perhaps you cat isn't using the box because it needs to be cleaned. Be sure that you are removing the litter regularly. If you find right after you clean it, you discover the cat uses it then you may have just hit upon the problem.
Just keep in mind that your cat wants to cover her waste in some fashion as much as you would like her to use the litter box. Initially, it may take her a time to remember where the box is located. Once the cat knows where to go, she'll for the most part continue to use it. If she doesn't, she's trying to let you know something is wrong. Don't worry, with a little time, you will figure out exactly what it is. Before you know it, you'll even consider toilet training the cat.
Anne Pacey is a loving and experienced cat owner who for a limited time, is offering her extensive cat course free of charge. It is jam-packed full of must-have information for cat owners! [http://cat-house-training.info/cathousetraining1newsletter-home.html]Free eCourse I also own and maintain [http://cat-house-training.info]The Cat Training Center
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sean_Felker http://EzineArticles.com/?Feline-Royalty-Cat-House-Training-101&id=1124139
Don't worry. Its not going to be difficult. Your wondering how you teach a cat to use a litter box, aren't you? You have got the box filled with litter (ah, yes! The clumping variety I see. (Good choice.) and your armed with the pooper scooper. Your standing over the litter box waiting to see what your new cat does. Don't worry, cat house training doesn't have to be hard!
Cats are clean animals. They prefer to do their business in sand or dirt . . . just about any substance they can paw at and cover their wastes up with. So don't worry. Your dealing with an animal that wants to use some sort of device.
That's half the battle. But there's a little more to cat house training a cat than simply plopping a litter box in a random room. This may sound a bit strange to you, but cats like to use the litter box in private. Yes, if they were people, they would be the type that would not only close the bathroom door completely, they would probably lock the door as well.
Armed with this knowledge, find a place in your home where the box is easily accessible to your cat, but far enough away from the heavy traffic. Tuck the litter box away in a corner of a room or in a small alcove that's not used much. Your cat will certainly appreciate it.
Show your cat where the box is and place her in it to start. She knows instinctively what to do. Your job is to help her out is to ensure that the litter box is kept clean. This task is vastly easier than it used to be, thanks to a handy innovation called clumping litter. Also called scoopable litter, not only will you love this, your cat will love this as well.
With this all you need to do is to scoop the feces and urine out daily. It will be clustered in and amongst the clumps of litter. Then on a regular basis change the entire contents of the box. You will also want to wash the box out regularly with soap and water.
If your feline friend is still a kitten, be sure the sides of the litter box are low enough that she can enter and exit it with ease. If you have a large cat, be sure to get one large enough that he can comfortably move in there.
How many litter boxes do I need? Most cat experts recommend that you have one more box than you have cats. If you have two cats, you need three litter boxes.
If you have done all of this but you discover your cat doesn't like to use his box. You need to consult your veterinarian. Cats are fastidiously clean animals. They don't need too much house training. If your cat is suddenly refusing to use her box, she may have some medical problems that you can't see.
A common reason for cats not using the litter box is stress. Yes, cats do get stressed out. Have you brought a new cat or kitten into the house? That could cause your cat some stress. If you go on vacation and leave her alone. Even if you have had someone looking after her she could be stressed. Even a new piece of furniture (believe it or not) can cause her stress.
It must be noted cats are creatures of habit. They love the daily routine. They rise at about the same time each day . . . sleep about the same time every day . . . and get revved up to do their best playing at the same time. Any activity that breaks this routine could very well cause them stress and cause litter box accidents.
Punishment for not using the litter box don't work very well. Actually, any type of punishment will probably backfire on you. The cat will soon associate the litter box with punishment.
Instead, praise her when she uses the box . . . and try to decipher why she is not using it.
If your cat isn't fully trained or is been having problems using the litter box Never leave the house without first making sure your pet is confined to a specific area. Ensure that she has enough food and water and a warm place to sleep at one end of the room. Place a clean litter box at the other end of the room.
Perhaps you cat isn't using the box because it needs to be cleaned. Be sure that you are removing the litter regularly. If you find right after you clean it, you discover the cat uses it then you may have just hit upon the problem.
Just keep in mind that your cat wants to cover her waste in some fashion as much as you would like her to use the litter box. Initially, it may take her a time to remember where the box is located. Once the cat knows where to go, she'll for the most part continue to use it. If she doesn't, she's trying to let you know something is wrong. Don't worry, with a little time, you will figure out exactly what it is. Before you know it, you'll even consider toilet training the cat.
Anne Pacey is a loving and experienced cat owner who for a limited time, is offering her extensive cat course free of charge. It is jam-packed full of must-have information for cat owners! [http://cat-house-training.info/cathousetraining1newsletter-home.html]Free eCourse I also own and maintain [http://cat-house-training.info]The Cat Training Center
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sean_Felker http://EzineArticles.com/?Feline-Royalty-Cat-House-Training-101&id=1124139
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