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| Cat Training |
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Thursday, 23 October 2008
Learning cat behaviors before you start training them would be a good idea for anyone that is going to train a cat's behavior.
A cat can jump and lands on its feet as this are a natural instinct for a cat. When a kitten is first born, the cushion in a kittens paws are not developed with the cushion to land on its feet. It takes about 7 wk to develop the cushion in a cats paw for landing. A cats bone structure is unique to other animals as the bones are flexible, cat has no collarbone, which enables them to be able to twist and bend their bones. A cat can jump from short distant with out sustaining any injuries.
With this behavior, you will want to teach the cat to jump hoops, sticks, or off the scratching tree. Letting a cat jump from extreme heights will cause injury to the cat.
Cats have a unique hearing ability; they are able to hear high tones and pitches, like opening a door or a can of food. Cats also have unique smelling abilities. The reason a cat will scratch or urinate on the floor, rub its self up against a door or furniture, is the cat is leaving their scent in that areas so they will be able to come back and know they were there, in other words marking its territory. In addition, if another cat or animal comes along in the area a cat will know this. Cats can also smell with their mouths. There is a gland call 'Jacobson's organ', it is a sac in the cats upper mouth filled with blood, as the cat smells the scent and the slightly opens their mouth and upper lip, this allows the scent to be carried in and to the sac, which it will carry the scent goes to the cat brain. This mostly happen to male cats when a female has urinated.
With these natural instincts and behaviors this can give you some insight to help you train you cat. With behavior training you will want to make sure that you allow your cat the ability in some way to play out it natural instincts and behaviors.
When training a cat for behaviors here are some things that you need to look at and take in consideration when training. Aggression especially in older cats, this can be cause from illness, other cats in the home. This you may want to contact your vet to have the cat check out to see if it is all right at this time to train a cat.
Depression and anxiety could play another part with trying to train your cat. If a cat is separated by it recent owner the cat can become depressed. Stress on a cat can be common effect on a cat. If you think that your cat has depression or high anxiety, this would be a good time to take the cat to the vet. Vets can talk to you about some of the things that may be causing this and a help list to help the cat. There are medications that a vet can prescribe for the cat to help with depression and anxiety.
Never hit a cat for a punishment the cat will learn to fear you, and fearing will be a behavior you will not be able to control or retrain. When they do something that is not right. Ignore the problem or if you catch them right a way you can associate a noise with that behavior on what you do not like or just in a stern voice tell them "NO".
If a behavior is becoming impossible you may have to resort to the baby proof home, all containers that have food in them have a lid on it. Make sure that the counters are clean and have nothing that a cat would want to play with.
The day that you get your cat or kitten, you will want to start training at this point. This will keep many unwanted behaviors away, and hopefully not let any new behaviors to start.
Healthy cats need healthy relationships with their owner.
Thursday, 23 October 2008
Are you tired of listening to the cat is meowing up a storm or scratching up the door to get in.
Let us look at some simple solutions to this problem. Let us take a look at some of the training aids to help train your cat to alert you to come in.
Put a small bell on a string that hangs down from the door. This will allow the cat to play with the string and ring the bell. This is a good learning tool to help both you and the cat. Bells come in a variety of different sizes. A small one would be the prefect size for a cat to play with so they are able to ring the bell. Bells are very inexpensive and can be found and purchased most stores. Craft store have them and are very inexpensive. String should hang down long enough so that the cat can reach it with out jumping at it or having to use the door for support. You can put a small amount of catnip on the string or in the bell. This to will attract them to play with the bell. Get catnip in a spray, smell this will help attract them to the bell.
Teaching the cat to use the bell is another thing that you will have to do for them. This is so they learn how the bell works to play with. The sound from the bell will warn you kitty is ready to come inside.
When you put the cat outside you will want to keep an eye out for them coming in and show them to ring the bell. Once your cat rings the bell, you want to reward them with a good healthy snack. As you help the cat ring the bell you will need to open the door allow the cat to come in with a reward right as they can get in.
Let us look at another way of training a cat to use a cat door to entrance and exit in. You can find cat doors and entrances in most large pet stores, on the web, or ask you vet where you can purchase a cat door. The doors are small enough so that a cat can get in and out when it wants to, and frees you up from having to attend to the cat going in and out. One simple suggestion is make sure your cat is not going to run off before installing the door.
These doors can be installing right in your door, or possible next to your door for a wall mounting. This is something that you will have to look at before purchasing a door for the cat. Measuring the size of the opening is also important to look at before purchasing. You will want to know the size that you are able to fit the door in. You also will want to measure your cats' height and width. To know what size of opening you will need to get. When measuring the width make sure, you allow at least a couple of inches more than the width of the cat. The height from the shoulders to the back of the front legs this will give the right height. With the many different types of doors, sizes, quality, and sizes, a search in store or on the Internet would be a great place to start looking.
Let us look at the training for the cat to use the door. A cat will not automatically use the door. Hold the door open and allow the cat to come in and out freely with a reward of a simple small snack on each side. This will give the cat a chance to know that they are able to do this. This could take time for the cat to use with continue playing with the cat over a period, soon they will be entering and exiting on their own. Something that you will not want to do is by using the cat's nose and pushing the cat though the door opening. Open the door and allow them to come in and out.
Once the cat is using the door you will experience the freedom of sleeping though the night, not having to stop what you are doing to let your cat in and out, and possible no more kitty litter or mess where they should not be doing.
Thursday, 23 October 2008
With multi, cats can play rough. Outdoors cats that stay outside or can go outside will also play rough with other cats. Biting your ankles or arms can be play for your cat. Cats that have extra energy to play and have difficulty finding ways to release their energy can be a very playful cat.
What is the difference in playing and fighting with the cats?
Cats that are not familiar with each other can be fighting and not playing. Dominant of one cat to another, screaming, hissing continuously during what looks like the playing are signs of fighting. In addition, if a cat gets hurt, this is a signs cats are not playing. This is a sign of your cats are really fighting. This is important to learn and get additional information about especially if your cat is an outdoors cat and encounters another cat. You will be able to tell if fighting or playing is going on. Leaving your cat outside and not know the playing for fighting can have effects on your cat's behaviors and stability for going outside again.
Distraction is the best way to separate fighting cats. With any type of interfering can cause pain to both you and the cats. Make a loud noise, firm voice, cats do not like loud noises this is a good way. Have spray bottles handy to use. Cats do not like to be sprayed with water and this will stop them. Once they have stop immediately separate the cats with close doors so they are not able to see each other. This aggression will need to be dealt with carefully. Allowing cats to continue to fight will end up with a cat being hurt and with fighting; this could cause diseases in the cats. This will become expensive with having to take the cat to the veterinarian for medication and some time stays at the vets for care and treatment.
Cat play is a natural for a cat and you should not interfere with the playing. Exposing other actives for the cats can help with the playing, when the playing seem to get too intense. Have plenty of toys for the cats to play with, their own scratch post, or their own area to play in.
With multi cats in a home, you will want to create an environment for each cat to have a place to feel comfortable. Some cats are able to adapt to other cats in the home and share. With different breeds and natures of the cat, will also depend on the cats being able to share one area. There are cat breeds that are just naturally a single pet and will not fit in the home with the presents of other cats or dogs around. These types of cats will have high stress and quick aggression towards other cats. You can get more information on the type of breeds that will live together and those that need their space. There are plenty of books and Internet sites for you to check out.
Hitting your cats will not accomplish any thing; this will make your cat fear you, as this will lead to no communication with your cat. Training will be impossible, as communication is the most important thing when training your cat. Physical punishment to any animal is never a good thing to any animal. Remember your cat is a companion and a friend. We, as humans, would never physical or mentally hurt our love ones or friends.
Remember if the cats are not fighting and are just playing with each other, this is a sign of good communication with each other. Allowing the communication to continue will help the relationship with the cats and with you. Communication is a great tool when trying to train your cat.
Thursday, 23 October 2008
One of the first things as an owner that wants to toilet train your cat is to know about your cat.
The behavior of a cat; the do's, and don'ts of training a cat.
Since we are going to talk about potty training a cat, we need to set some basic rules down. Most important one is that if you do not catch the cat going potty on the floor at the very moment; it will not make any sense to the cat what you do to them about it. Cats remember things like that only shortly. No rubbing the nose of the cat in it, that will only cause pain, or do anything that would harm or hurt your cat. By doing any of these painful acts will only make the cat afraid of you and you will have a very hard time training your cat to do any behaviors, or taking care of your cat.
Let us look over the potty training a cat. Having a cat potty trained on any household toilet will save you thousands of dollars in kitty litter. Will keep the cats area clean, safe and dry, and since a cat does not like messes this is a great way to get rid of the mess for you.
Now you are wondering why someone would want to have the cat use the toilet and not the litter box. In the fecal, of the feline, when mixed with kitty litter can cause people of all ages to get sick. When the cat comes out of the litter box to a person, on its paws are the germs from the litter box. When you or family member is sick or aged people, they are very expectable to this disease.
With a cat being potty trained, the fecal goes under the water this will help prevent the disease from spreading. There are devices on the market that will help you potty train your cat. The devices come with books to help and support you with toilet training your cat.
Let's look at the potty device, to see what steps are taken to get the cat to use the toilet.
First, you will need to put the device in the toilet. It is basically a small shallow version of a toilet bowl that fits under the ring on the toilet.
The recommendation is to put small amount of cat litter in the small portion of the plastic bowl. Then remove all other cat litter boxes, so the cat will only find litter in one place. Another thought is to cover the plants on the floor, so the cat will not be able to dig in the dirt.
With the device, that you get, there could be some type of fragrances to put on the toilet device to help attract the cat to that area. Leave the cat for a while in the bathroom, with the door closed, privacy is something that cat need and want and will the cat will explore that the litter in on the toilet and use it there. If there seems to be a problem with the cat going, you may want to put the litter box next to the toilet, this way the cat will get use to this and see the toilet, before getting the training started. In this time if you see that cat needs to go, pick the cat up and put it on the toilet with the device on so that kitty will see the device and the litter
This will all take time and lots of patience from you and some good training to the cat. The cat does not have natural instincts to go in the bathroom and go on the toilet. When a cat is older, this can be a real task as the older cats are usually set in their ways and do not like change. With this, you will want to use the slow approach.
In the end, you and your cat will be happy that there are no more kitty litter boxes in the home.
Rewards are very important in this training and hard also; you may not see or catch your cat on there going but remember to reward them when you do see them.
Thursday, 23 October 2008
The market is flooded with all different types of aids for training a cat. From simple little things to very large expense items, there are sprays to keep cats off furniture to large housing for cats, to a simple leash to help with training a cat.
Let us take a Looking at some of the training tools that can be helpful in training.
A simple lightweight leash is a good idea. The leash can be use for many purposes when training. Letting the cat outside is a time to use a leash to train the cat for staying in the yard. Using a leash to take a walk, or ride in a car. Cats need exercise and using a leash when walking is a perfect way to get a cat to walk with you not run off or walk ahead of you. When walking the cat you want the cat to walk with you. Train the cat, as they are not the leader in the walk that you are. This will make the walk more enjoyable for both you and the cat.
Another good tool to use when training a cat is scat mat. By using a mat with training, mats can serve the purpose of not allowing the cat on that area. Scat mats send out pulses to static electricity to let the cat know they are not to be on that item. There are many different sizes, colors, even clear ones so that the cat can see the area. The mats are battery operated with no real electricity running in them. In addition, scat mats are safe to use with your cat. You can also purchase scat mats to connect to each other for larger areas to cover. Dummy scat mats do not have pulse or static going though them. These are for after the cat is trained just a reminder to stay off.
Another great tool for train a cat is catnip. Cats love the scent of catnip. Transneptalactone a substance found in a plant used for catnip. Catnip scent is close to the urine of female cats. Male cat are usually more intrigued with catnip than female cats.
Catnip comes in different forms for training for cats. Toys with catnip fill in them may also attract the cat to play with. Catnip does come in Sprays design to spray areas for the cat to help learn a behavior. Such as spraying around the cat, litter to let it knows that is where they should go. For fun play, they have catnip in bubble form. Just like the kind, the children play with. It is made of safe products so it will not harm your cat. With blowing bubble, the cat will enjoy pawing at the bubbles and enjoy the scent of it. Catnip also comes in ground dry form so that you can rub on your hand to let the scent fill the air for the cat. You can also purchase catnip seed, which you can plant inside or outside of your home.
Is your cat pouncing on items thinking that it is a mouse? By nature, a cat will do this for killing purpose. There are many different play mice out on the market. From simple little stuff ones to ones that have catnip in them to large one that can be wound up and let go for a fun chase and capture. Remember in training that the cat has natural instincts to do things. We need to fulfill them to have a happy healthy cat.
Healthy rewards for the cat is another tool when training the cat. Many different treats can provided for a reward for the cat. There are vitamins that are natural to give the cat. This is a good idea, as you know that they are getting the vitamins for strong healthy bones, hair, and body. When looking for a good healthy snack, simple little biscuits are a good choice. Alternatively, if you are a good baker there are recipes or prepackage treat mix you may purchase and baked for your cat. With the family making snacks for your cat, can be a great family project.
Have patience with your cat they are learning, and you are learning more about them.
Wednesday, 22 October 2008
Cats like dogs, you will need to get a collar for your cat. There will be times when you will want to walk the cat or let your cat out on a leash. With having a collar it will be easy to do both of these.
Collar training does take time, patience on both cat and your part. If your cat has never worn a collar, you will need to take the training step by step.
Let us look at getting a collar for your cat. The market is flooded with collars all shape and sizes, to every color and design that you can think of, cheap collars to expensive collars. When looking at collars you will also see harness for cats, this can be in place of the collar. You would place the harness around the cat to serve the same as a collar.
Some example of leashed and collars that glow in the dark and some that do have a small light on so at night you would be able to see the cat outside and know where it is.
Which one is the right collar for your cat? One of things when purchasing a collar for your cat is you do not want one that is too big , one with a lot of collar hanging over once you put it on, and of course never get a collar or put a collar on that is too tight for the cat. You will want the collar to have at least a good finger lose on the collar, but not to lose, as you do not want the collar to come off.
When purchasing the collar for the cat, when you get it home the first thing you might want to do with it is wipe it off with warm water, to help gets rid of smells from other people or pets. If there is any other smells on the collar, the cat may not want to have anything to do with the collar. .
Put the collar down and let the cat check it out for a while, they will rub on it, could even hiss at it, which all of these acts are a good sign that thing may go well. You will then after you think the cat has been all right with the collar, is to get your cat to relax. A good idea would be to get the cat in your lap and massage the cat. This will help the cat to relax, after you see that the cat has relaxed for a while, now is the time to lay the collar around the cats neck to get the cat use to the collar. You will want to put the collar on your cat a couple times a day until you know that the cat is allowing the collar to stay there.
The next step would be to put the collar on the cat but to leave it as loose as you can, so if your cat is not ready they will get it off right away. Do not slip the collar over the cats head, but you will need to buckle the collar the proper way. Putting the collar over the cats head could scare the cat. As the cat gets used to the collar, you should then every day tighten up the collar until you have the proper adjustment for the cat.
After the cat has worn the collar for several days that would be a good, time to start the leash for the cat. Following the same principle as you did for the collar on your cat you can do the same for the leash. This will be very important for the cat to know that the leash is a good tool and not something that will harm them.
With the training of the collar and leash, you will want to reward the cat with a small treat at different stages of the cat getting use to having the collar on. This will help also with using the leash.
The training of a cat collar will take a lot of patience and care from you for your cat.
In the end, the rewards for both you and the cat will be great.
Wednesday, 22 October 2008
Ever wonder if you should be training a cat for severe weather? Yes a cat can be trained for severe weather.
First, make sure that the cat has been to the vet for check ups and vaccines. This first will protect them from illness that they pick up during some natural sever weather you may be parted from your cat and this is a good protection that you can give them.
Make sure you train a cat to wear a collar. This is important too to have a collar that will tell what their name is and address where they live. You can purchase the tags from your vet, pet stores, or most places that make tags. Do not get a large one, as it will irritate a cat and be uncomfortable for them. Small but informational is the best kind. Also, make sure you get a tag from the vet with the vaccines and any information that someone that finds your cat cans I deify your cat so that it can be return to you.
There are many different collars for cat. Size, color, and even design ones. This is up to you and the cat, which one would be appropriate for the cat. When purchasing one makes sure that, it is not to snug on the cat neck, and not to lose so that cat can get it off.
You will need to train the cat to ware the collar. Couple of tips would be when you are at home, have the cat ware it for short periods until they are satisfied and comfortable with it. If the cat is a small kitten that is the time to start with the collar. Spray the collar with catnip will help to. Cats love the scent of catnip, which sprays can be purchased to help you with this training.
When sever weather comes you could see your cat running for cover. Allow the cat to do this in safe places. If the cat is not in a good safe place, take the cat to the place that would be safe for them. Make an environment safe area for the cat. To get the cat to go there, Put a snack there when sever weather approaches, make sure they have water, a small toy and near by a small cat litter that is only use for this purpose or the cat will get mixed signs where they should go other wise. Then leave the cat alone. Cats have a natural fear of sever weather and know how to take cover from it. Do not try to train the cat to get use to the sever weather. We have to allow cats to uses some of the natural instinct that they are born with.
If the cat gets wild during sever weather then maybe a lock kennel would be great to start out with. To help them with this when a sever weather is approaching put the cat in the kennel spray or put some catnip in the kennel this will help. Lock the cat in and reassure the cat that everything is fine and they are safe. You will want to put the kennel in the area that eventually the cat will go on his own and be left out of the kennel in case of sever weather.
For weather that is severing enough that maybe you will be apart from your cat, make sure they are will be comfortable. Favorite toys, blanket, pillows, or things that you know that will make them comfortable.
Leave a good amount of water and food for the cat. There are self-feeders that will hold water and dry cat food for the cat. This will allow them to eat and know that they can get to it.
In weather that is sever and your cat will be outside, leave shade for hot days for a cat. You could put out an umbrella, box that allows good airflow or small table so it can climb under for shade. Wintertime or cold days, if the cat is not able to get in where it is warm provide some protection with rags, newspapers or something that will help protect them. Remember if a cat is use to being inside, and are left outside, we need to protect them from the weather.
Wednesday, 22 October 2008
Kitty litter, litter pan, catnip, catnip toys, cat mats, plays mice, scratching tree or post collars, leashes, Supplements, door entrances, treats, and food are all cat-training supplies. All these items plus more can be found in pet stores on the Internet, in the local vets office, and local store that carry a line of pet supplies. In addition, just about any thing that you may need to help you train your cat can be found.
Another way to get very inexpensive and maybe free supplies is check out different articles to come up with homemade remedies and items that will help you with the training of a cat. Cats are not fussy pets. We can make them that way, cats do not know that you made the item or purchased it. This is another good way to get the whole family involved with training the cat. Have them help make the item or come up with some ideas to help train a cat. Children love to make things and this is a good teaching tool for the children. Teaching children that their pet cat needs also to have training in areas that will help the family have a good healthy relationship with the pet cat.
A simple plastic concentrated juice container is a great idea for cats to roll around, and play with. Buy putting something harmless in the container that will make noise and if the cat world get the container open, so the will not be harmed. Put some good tape or glue the top close to the juice container. On the other hand, if someone in the family can sew. Making toys for the cat. Mice, balls, and objects that you can think of. Fill it with soft batting or catnip. The cat will love to play with any of these items.
Build a tree-climbing house for your cat. If you or a family member is a handy person with building small things this is a good idea and cost is very inexpensive. You do not want to make it to high, as we do not want to teach a cat to jump from high places. However, you can have it spread out if there is room for it.
Get some type of idea how much room the cat needs when they are curled up sleeping, you can make a little area particular enclosed for the cat to sleep. Make from the bottom to the next level high enough to allow the cat for a scratching pole. Have a small shelve on it for the cat to sit and play with some toys or couple of toys on a stick with string attached so that cat can swat at the toy. Make a tunnel for the cat to crawl though or to go when they feel they need protection. If the wood does not splinter, you can use just the bare wood. If you are going to paint or stain the scratching post, take time to check out your local paint store for suggestions on this. You would not want to harm the cat if they would lick or try to gnaw the wood. Putting carpeting is a good idea. Make sure the carpeting does not have loops in the weaving that the cat can get the claws snagged. Cats do not like to get claws snag on anything.
When purchasing supplies for your pet make sure that the item will be appropriate to the trick or behavior you intent to train the cat, some of the pet stores will allow you to bring in your pet. This is a good idea if you are able to do this. This way you can tell by a cat's reaction if the supplies that you would like to purchase will be interesting enough to the cat.
Cats are all-different and have very many different natures. If it works for one cat may not work for another cat.
Always remember when training a pet cat that it will take time and patience to trained a cat. In addition, this will be rewarding to your pet cat and the family.
If you are having problems with training the cat there are many articles on the Internet about training cats and call the vet, cats too do get sick or depressed.

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