Behavior & Training of Cat
Behavior & Training of Cat
So, you're a new cat owner and want to be warned about your cat's behavior. Besides, you want to discipline this newcomer into your family. But before you launch into that, it is necessary to know that cats are by and large pretty well-behaved and will not eliminate on your bed only to let you know he's mad at you.
Correcting his behavior involves: determining if he has a behavioral problem; next, correcting the cause of his behavior; and then retraining him. Here's how you can deal with some common problems:
- Avoiding use of litter box: Instead of urinating in the litter box, your cat does his job outside of it. This could be because until now he has been a yard animal and has recently been brought inside. To rectify the error, erect a fence in the yard so that he can have the best of both worlds inside and outside.
- Scratching all over: When cats scratch, they are sharpening their claws or exercising. But if your cat scratches furniture, it means he needs a scratching post, or if he has one, give him another.
- What you shouldn't do: Don't declaw because he might damage property.
- If your cat is a big bully: If you have several cats, they will play fight if only to hone their skills and have a little fun. Trouble comes when one cat is a big bully and stalks and hurts the other that's when you need to solve this behavioral problem.
- What you shouldn't do: Don't separate the two warring cats as you can be hurt or bitten. Either pour cold water on them to separate them or make a loud noise or throw something soft at them.
- Painful scratching and biting humans: This happens when your cat is no longer in the mood for a good belly rub. Kittens learn to bite and scratch in their growing years as an important line of defense. To avoid such a situation, trim his claws, yell "ouch" clearly when you have his attention and free your hands from him, or scruff him for a few seconds.
- What you shouldn't do: Don't teach your cat that its claws and teeth are toys that it can run down your body or you will have scars to show for it. Don't jerk your hands away or you will be badly scratched; don't shake or spank him or he will have internal injuries.
- Jumping on tables and counters: There are several good reasons for keeping your cat off tables and counters: first, since it spends a good amount of time in the litter box, it can carry with it residues of waste on its paws which it will deposit on your counter. Second, your cat may want to nibble food from tabletops or kitchen counters, which may not be good for him.
- What you shouldn't do: Training him to stay off certain areas. Don't throw him off a counter or you could injure him and lastly, when he is near the gas stove, gently pick him up and place him on the floor.
All your cat's behavioral problems can be corrected with just a little time and patience. If you don't have these requisites, cultivate them.