How to train your cat

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How to train your cat

Learn how to train your cat

LoveMyPet

4/13/2014

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How to Train Your Cat

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Contents

Can You Train a Cat?........................................................................................................................................................................ 5

How Do You Give Your Cat a Bath? .......................................................................................................................................... 6

How to Entertain Your Cat When You’re Away ................................................................................................................ 7

How to Gain the Respect of Your Cat ...................................................................................................................................... 8

How to Introduce Your Cat to a New Kitty .......................................................................................................................... 9

How to Introduce Your Cat to a New Home ...................................................................................................................... 10

How to Introduce Your Cat to a New Puppy ..................................................................................................................... 11

How To Litter-box Train Your New Cat .............................................................................................................................. 12

How to Make Your Cat Famous ............................................................................................................................................... 13

How to Prevent Your Cat Eating Houseplants ................................................................................................................. 14

How to Stop Scratching and Clawing .................................................................................................................................... 15

How to Stop Your Cat Jumping on Counters and Tables ............................................................................................ 16

How to Stop Your Cat Running Out the Door ................................................................................................................... 17

How to Teach Your Cat to Accept Brushing ...................................................................................................................... 18

How to Teach Your Cat to Come When Called ................................................................................................................. 19

How to Teach Your Cat to Have His Nails Clipped ......................................................................................................... 20

How to Teach Your Cat to Sit on Command ...................................................................................................................... 21

How to Teach Your Cat Tricks from Natural Behaviors ............................................................................................. 22

How to Teach Your Kitty to Travel in a Car ....................................................................................................................... 23

How to Teach Your Kitty to Travel in a Carrier............................................................................................................... 24

How to Train Your Cat for Shows ........................................................................................................................................... 25

How to Walk Your Cat on a Leash .......................................................................................................................................... 26

What Basic Training Does Your Cat Need? ........................................................................................................................ 27

What Cat Behaviors Need to be Broken? ............................................................................................................................ 28

What Cat Behaviors need to be learned? ............................................................................................................................ 29

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Can You Train a Cat?

We have heard of dogs performing tricks, but not many people seem to train their cats, apart from

the basic house-training such as using the litter tray. If cats can learn to use a litter- tray and come

for food, they can be trained to do other things as well. The only thing we humans have to learn is

how to train them. Using a cat’s natural traits to train them is one good way.

We know that cats dislike loud noise and water in the face, so a water gun to spray them with or

something that makes a loud noise when they do the wrong thing is a good way to train. Remember,

physical smacks and general abuse is not the way to train a cat. This will only serve to make kitty

mistrust you and that will be the end of any training. You need to establish trust and friendship with

your pet above all else, and any training needs to be carried out in a calm, quiet atmosphere, and at

the right time of day. It’s no use deciding to get kitty out of a lovely snooze and expect to train him

to jump or fetch for you. You need to wait until he is showing signs of liveliness and is ready to play.

Like dogs, cats have different temperaments. Some cats resist training, or else they seem to be

dumber than others. A dumb cat can still make a great pet. It simply means that you will have to be

content with him the way he is. Other cats seem to be very bright and willing to learn whatever you

are trying to teach them. One thing all cats need is a close relationship with their owners. They need

to be handled a lot as kittens. If you have to leave kitty alone all day, you are not likely to develop a

close enough relationship with him to be able to train him properly.

Litter training doesn’t count as training here because it is a very natural thing for the cat to do. If he

were outside all the time, he would dig a little hole to use somewhere soft like in the garden or in

leaf litter. You have provided a litter tray inside, and it is very attractive to kitty to use it. It is other

more specialized training that needs to have a close relationship established to be successful.

Training such as learning to sit on command, or to come when called without it being feed time. But

the most important thing is the loving relationship between you and your cat. That is why you have

a cat in the first place.

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How Do You Give Your Cat a Bath?

How do you give your cat a bath? Some people would say, with great difficulty! But bathing kitty

need not be all bad news. The best thing to do is start when kitty is young. Young kittens are easier

to handle and train, so if he gets used to it when little, bathing him when bigger will be easier.

Why bath a cat when they groom themselves so well? There are many reasons you might need to

bathe your cat. Cats get fleas and if your cat’s fur is thick and long, the ingredients in a cat flea collar

may not penetrate. This means that your cat may end up with a very bad flea infestation, so that

bathing him is necessary.

Use the laundry tub or a large plastic dish and make sure the water is pleasantly warm. It’s a good

idea to shut the door so that if he escapes from your hold, he cannot escape from the room. Have

everything you need – like shampoo and towels close at hand. You won’t want to go fumbling in the

cupboard with an armful of wet cat to contend with. Wear rubber gloves, an apron or a raincoat and

old clothes. Choose a time when your cat is not feeling too playful, but not just after a meal. If he

gets stressed out, he could throw up on you.

Hold your cat firmly tucked under one arm while you sponge his face; this will introduce him to the

idea of getting wet. Gently set him down in the warm water and sponge it over him while you hold

him in the water. This may take two people if he acts up. Have the shampoo ready to squirt along

his back and then work it in with your hands. Make sure the water penetrates right through to his

skin and that every bit of him gets wet. If not, the fleas will survive and all your effort will have been

wasted.

Once he is thoroughly wet and covered with shampoo, you will need to rinse him off. Rinse off the

first lot in the original water, then let it out and refill the tub with clean rinsing water. Or you could

use a water spraying attachment – just don’t let it run too hot or cold. Poor kitty has enough stress

without being burned or frozen.

Once kitty has been thoroughly rinsed, place him on a towel and use another one to gently dry him.

Keep him in a warm place until he is completely dry. Some cats can be trained to accept the noise of

a hair-dryer and this is a good way to dry a cat with thick, long hair. Praise and cuddle him when the

bath is over.

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How to Entertain Your Cat When You’re Away

Cats and kittens need lots of toys to play with or they will get bored, especially if you are away for

any length of time. Your cat may do things when you are away that he would never think of doing

while you’re at home, all because he is bored you don’t want to come home to see your things

trashed all because kitty was playing with them.

A great way to entertain kitty while you’re away is to leave playthings dangling just above the floor.

Tie a light ball or a sheet of scrunched up paper to a string and leave it hanging where kitty will be

able to reach it. A cardboard box in the middle of the room will also entertain him for ages. Cats love

to pounce and tackle; it is part of their hunting instinct, as is hiding in small places, so a box is ideal.

He can rake at the cardboard with his claws just as if it was enemy number one. He can also hide in

it and sleep in it if he feels inclined to.

Add some new toys to his favorite ones, to keep his interest. Other toys that will interest kitty are: -

a ball with a bell inside it, soft toys he can bite, hollow toys made to fill with food treats that come

out when he rolls it and rubber, squeaky toys. A big paper bag left so that he can sneak inside it will

delight him too – never use plastic bags though. Special cat toys are available, but often toys meant

for toddlers are suitable too. Just make sure that they are sturdy enough to take chewing and

scratching without breaking into small pieces that could get swallowed.

You may want to shut the bedroom doors to keep him from possibly damaging something in there

while you are away. If you don’t want to do this, cover the beds with old rugs or blankets just in

case of accidents. Cats can survive quite happily on dry food for a few days, but if you have someone

come in to feed your cat, make sure he knows them, or he might be frightened and run out the door

before they know it. Always leave plenty of fresh water out and leave some in most rooms, just in

case kitty happens to swing the door shut during play and trap himself in a room.

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How to Gain the Respect of Your Cat

Whenever we humans decide to keep an animal as a pet, there are some ground rules that should

be established. Remember that your territory is not your pet’s natural territory and that all animals

still behave as animals no matter where they live. Trying to change your cat's bad behavior requires

consistency and patience. If you love your cat the last thing you want is to seem like the enemy -

someone to be disliked or even feared.

So how can you train your cat so that his behavior is acceptable in your world and still remain

friends? The answer is not to let him rule the roost. Your cat will not respect you if he is the boss.

You need to let him know who is boss while still gaining his trust and affection. This means that he

must be rewarded positively with treats and cuddles when he does things that you approve of. But

when he insists on doing things he knows you don't like, you must remain calm, but just as

determined to get your way, as he is to get his way. From the time they are kittens, cats will obey

the authority of the queen cat; in other words, their mother. So you have to adopt that place in the

cat's life.

One way to do this is to carry the kitten around by the scruff of his neck occasionally. This is the

way in which his mother would have moved him. The scruff of the neck is the loose skin on the back

of the neck. It is quite easy to grab and does not hurt either kitten or grown cat to be carried this

way. You will notice when you pick him up like this he will suddenly go limp and just hang there.

That is what he would do if his mother had him in her mouth by the scruff. Even if your cat is no

longer a kitten, he will let you carry him by the scruff without complaint. So when you find him

doing things he shouldn't do, pick him up by the scruff of the neck and put him down away from his

mischief.

Make sure your kitty has plenty of play and stimulation so that he is not bored and he will be a

better-behaved cat, too. Soft and squeaky toys will keep his attention focused on play instead of

mischief. Even a cardboard box or large paper bag to creep into will entertain him for hours.

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How to Introduce Your Cat to a New Kitty

When you are bringing home a new kitten and you already have a cat, there are some rules to

observe in introducing the two. Because a cat typically likes to live alone, he will consider your

home to be his own personal territory. Unless you take special care in introducing the two, they

may never establish friendly relations. This kind of stress can cause bad behavior to surface in

either cat. So how can you ensure successful integration of the new kitten? Slowly and patiently

does the trick. You don’t want your top cat to be knocked of his perch as it were, so always be sure

to give him plenty of cuddles and attention even when he is used to the new kitten.

Firstly, it might be a wise move to keep the two cats apart. Have the new kitten’s bedding, litter tray

and food bowls in a different room to your older cat. If your old cat is forced to share everything

with the new one, he will be sure to get jealous and harmonious relationships may never be

established. Once the new kitty has been in the house for a few days, bring him out to the same

room your other cat is in, give them both an edible treat so that they are not focused on each other

exclusively. When you put them down to eat, have them side-on to each other so neither one feels

threatened.

Just before you make them share a room, pat each of them. This way, your scent and each other’s

scent will be on them both. Expect the older cat to exert his dominance by hissing or spitting.

Pecking order must be established in this way, as it is part of the natural cat behavior. If the older

cat takes no notice of the new addition that is a good sign and means that he has accepted the

newbie into the household.

It is a good idea to make sure the older cat has a perch up high where the kitty can’t reach. This will

allow him to feel both safe and dominant. When the new kitty is a little older, you may like to

introduce him to a perch of his own, but it should be a little lower than the main cat’s perch, and not

near to him. Cats love to perch up high, whether it’s on the back of the sofa or up on a chair, so you

may as well give him his own space.

Once each cat gets used to the other, they may become buddies and curl up together. Until that

occurs, always make sure each one has his own bedding, litter tray and food bowl slightly away

from the others.

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How to Introduce Your Cat to a New Home

There are many old wives’ tales about how to get your cat to accept a new home. One of them is to

rub butter on its paws and by the time he has licked it off, the place will be home to him. Take no

notice of this. The only thing that will happen if you do this is that your carpet will be ruined. But

there are some other sensible suggestions to take heed of.

First, your cat will probably be feeling a little stressed out due to the move. Cats are very territorial

creatures, so if you let your cat out of his carrier straight into your new home before you’ve even

gotten settled in yourself, he is likely to take off and try to find his way back home. He will certainly

be frightened and attempt to escape as soon as possible, especially if strangers are lugging heavy

furniture around and everything is in a state of disarray.

The best thing to do is keep your cat in the carrier until the movers are gone and everything is

settled down and quiet. When you do let him out, confine him to one room and make sure his

familiar things are in it with him. This will be his food bowl, his litter tray, his bedding and his toys.

Keep him in this room for a few days, or at least 24 hours. When you let him out of the room, make

sure all the outer doors are closed so he cannot escape. It’s a good idea to carry him around the

house at first. This will give him reassurance that you are with him and he will feel safer being up

high.

Once he has had a good look around his new home, let him down to the floor, making sure his food

bowl and bedding are in their new position. See that he knows it’s all there. Allow him to look out

the windows, but don’t allow him outside for several days. When you do let him go outside, keep an

eye on him so that he become frightened and get lost. It’s a good idea to stay out with him at first.

He will probably not want to go too far for a while. Usually, cats make a beeline to some thick shrub

that they can hide under until they’ve made sure there are no enemies around. This is what they

would do if out in the wild. Make sure your cat knows where the door is so that he can go back

inside if he feels the need to retreat.

It won’t be long before your cat gets used to his new territory and once you see him wiping his

cheeks on the trees and bushes outside, you’ll know he is marking out his new territory.

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How to Introduce Your Cat to a New Puppy

Cats and dogs are quite different in both nature and traits. In the wild, a cat and dog would never

live anywhere near each other, let alone in the same cave, yet this is what we often expect of them.

Of course, they are not wild now, yet they still have the same traits. So how are we going to

establish harmonious relationships between our precious cat and the new little puppy we’ve

bought?

The best idea is to separate them from each other for at least a week, at first. Make sure kitty can’t

reach through bars to scratch the puppy and make sure that the energetic puppy doesn’t stress out

your cat to the point that he thinks of leaving home. Cats don’t like the rough and tumble play that

dogs enjoy and if your cat has been used to being the only pet, then it will come as a rude shock to

him that he now has to share his space.

Separating them into different rooms with the door firmly closed between them is not too extreme

at first. Your cat will know the puppy is there by scent and by hearing him. After a few days, bring a

piece of the puppy’s bedding out and allow your cat to sniff it. If not bedding, then use a strip of

cloth that you have first rubbed over the puppy. If your cat ignores it, that’s a good sign. If he shows

signs of stress such as growling or hissing, keep the puppy separate for a few more days before

showing the cat his bedding again. Allow your cat to walk around the bedding and take his time to

inspect it.

Once the cat ignores the bedding, you can bring the puppy out of quarantine and place him in the

same room as the cat. Give each of them a treat so they are not focused entirely on each other. If the

puppy approaches the cat, don’t allow him to take the cat’s food or knock the cat around in any way.

He should not be allowed to try and play with the cat at first. If the cat exhibits aggressive behavior,

separate the two of them again for a few more days, but make sure you allow the cat plenty of

opportunity to inspect and sniff puppy’s bedding.

This may take a few weeks, but it will be well worth your effort to see the two animals accept each

other’s presence calmly.

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How To Litter-box Train Your New Cat

One of the most important things to do with your new cat or kitten is to train it to use the litter box.

In the wild, one of a cat's more useful behaviors is to scratch a hole in some kind of soft medium to

go to the toilet. This behavior is still strong in domesticated cats, which makes it easier to train

them. When cats have access to a yard - especially one with a garden, they will often prefer to go

outside. But if your cat is confined to the house or apartment, it is necessary to provide him with a

litter tray or box to prevent puddles and other nasty things happening to your floor.

The litter tray should be wide and shallow, but with vertical sides. This will help to retain the

medium when the cat is scratching and digging. It should be in a place where human traffic is at a

minimum. The laundry is often the place chosen for the litter tray. Sand could be used in the tray,

but commercial cat-litter is best due to its high absorbency. And cats seem to love using it.

If you have a new kitten, it is not too early to start training him to use the litter box immediately. As

soon as he has finished drinking his milk, take him to the litter tray and set him down gently on the

litter. It's a good idea to feed him close to the litter tray at first, so he will know where it is. If you

feed your new kitten in the kitchen and then carry him into the laundry to the litter tray, you cannot

expect him to know his way into the laundry the next time round.

So feed the kitten next to the litter tray until the habit of using it is well established. After this, it will

be possible to change the feeding place if desired. If the kitten does a puddle anywhere else but in

the litter tray, be sure to clean it up with strong smelling disinfectant to completely remove the

odor, otherwise kitty will simply follow his nose next time he wants to go.

Once you have placed the kitten onto the litter tray a few times, he will soon get the idea of what he

is supposed to do. Cats and kittens are very easy to train to use a litter tray. Placing an attractive

cover over the litter tray is a good idea, but make sure kitty knows how to use the tray without the

cover first. Then you can cover it up and show him the way in.

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How to Make Your Cat Famous

Perhaps you have taught your cat some tricks and you want everyone to know about them. Maybe

you just love your cat and think he deserves to be famous because he’s a gorgeous cat. Whatever the

reason, there are several ways to make your cat famous.

For starters, you must take plenty of photos of him. Catch him when he’s being playful and

mischievous and when he’s snoozing. Follow him about with that camera and you’ll be surprised

just how many lovely shots you’ll be able to get of him. It’s really great fun to label these pictures. If

you have a creative sense of humor, you can make the pictures even funnier with appropriate

labels. Email these photos to all your friends, or make a slideshow of all your cat pics and invite

your friends over for a viewing.

If you are really good at taking pics you may be able to offer them for sale to various cat magazines,

or even family magazines, especially if they have an animal section. Pictures of cats posing with

children are often sought after. Cats doing odd things or in odd poses will probably have an edge

over ordinary sleeping pictures. If your cat is a special breed, you will also have a good chance of

getting his photo in a cat magazine if you write a little piece about the origin of the breed or special

tips on caring for it.

You may even be able to make a short movie of your cat doing something funny or unusual. With

today’s digital cameras, this is easier than ever. If your cat can truly do some unusual tricks, try and

send it to a TV special program like Funniest Home Videos. Your cat will certainly be famous then.

You could pose your cat on the back of a tricycle, or a skateboard, a surfboard, or any number of

other fun ways.

You could upload pics of your cat to your website if you have one. If you don’t, you could get a free

website and use it for kitty’s pics. If you have a quality picture of your cat, you could offer it to a cat-

product manufacturer to use in an advertisement. Imagine having your kitty’s face on thousands of

cat food labels. Just be sure you don’t put him in danger to get a photo. No amount of fame is worth

hurting your special pet for.

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How to Prevent Your Cat Eating Houseplants

Many people grow lovely houseplants that add to the ambience of their home. But what happens

when kitty attacks and eats that houseplant you were so proud of? One day you have a healthy

plant, next day the leaves are hanging in tatters and the only thing left to do is throw it in the trash

bin. Naughty kitty! But wait before you spank.

First, you must decide what caused your cat to attack the plant. There are two main reasons that

cats eat plants. One is that green food is part of their diet. If your kitty has not been given any

vegetables or greenery to eat, he could be simply following his instinct for survival. In this case,

make sure kitty gets to go outside frequently so he can eat the grasses of his choice. Eating grass

will also help to remove fur balls that can catch in his throat. If you cannot let your cat outside, then

grow some special cat grass in a pot and allow him free access to it. A good pet shop will provide the

right kind of seed.

Another reason your cat may have attacked the potted plant is that the breeze rustled its leaves and

so it became an enemy to be attacked and eaten. This is a natural behavior for cats in the wild. If

this is the case, then move the plant to a place where kitty cannot readily see it – somewhere away

from drafts and breezes. It may suffice to place the plant upon a low table, or you may need a higher

shelf for it.

Of course, once kitty has had a wonderful time destroying that plant you loved so much, he might

decide he wants to do it all the time. In this case, you may have to live without indoor plants, or

keep kitty confined to a room where there are none while you are out of the house. On the other

hand, it may have been sheer boredom that made him attack the plant – he could have just needed

something or someone to play with. Give kitty plenty of attention when you are home. Make sure he

has plenty of his own toys. They need not be expensive store-bought toys; homemade ones are easy

to make and easily renewable.

Dangle a small wisp of scrunched up paper a few centimeters off the floor by tying it from

something with string. A chair rung would do, or a cupboard doorknob. Kitty will love to pounce on

this and wrestle on his back with it. A light, small ball will have him skittering all over the floor as

he chases it. With plenty else to interest him, he should soon forget about your indoor plants.

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How to Stop Scratching and Clawing

There is nothing worse than a cat that is constantly scratching the furniture. Your beautiful

furniture can be ruined very quickly by this behavior, so it is wise to do something about it as soon

as possible.

Scratching is natural behavior for a cat, so it won't be possible to prevent him from doing it

altogether. What you must do is train him to scratch on something that doesn't matter. Scratching

poles made of rope wound around a rod are available especially for this purpose. It is a good idea to

get one as soon as you get your kitten. If you teach him to use it right from when he is little, then it

will be easier.

If the kitty doesn't seem to like the scratching pole as much as your best chair, then buy some

catmint and smear it on the rope. The aroma is very attractive to cats. Also get a spray bottle full of

water to spray in his face when he scratches your furniture. Cats hate having water in their faces.

There is only one problem with this; your furniture may be French-polished and so watermark very

easily. What to do?

The idea is to teach kitty, not hurt him, so roll up one or two sheets only of newspaper and use it to

tap his face with. It won't hurt him, but he will hate the noise and feel of it. This is also a good way to

stop him scratching people. After being smacked with it a few times, simply hearing the rustle of

paper will often stop him. Sometimes, cats will crouch around a corner and spring out at you or the

children. Don't forget that while it is normal behavior for a cat to do this sort of thing, the behavior

needs to be controlled or it may cause injury.

The rolled up newspaper trick will soon discourage kitty from pouncing and scratching. If you hold

him up by the scruff of the neck at the same time, you will exert dominance over him, telling him

you are the top cat. Smack him lightly on the paws or face with the paper, and then put him down. If

your cat puts out his claws when you are petting him, gently push at them until he retracts them. In

this way you'll teach him that claws out while being petted on laps is unacceptable behavior.

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How to Stop Your Cat Jumping on Counters and Tables

One important thing in training your cat is to stop him jumping up on the table or counter. You may

think its no big deal to have kitty on the counter – in fact some people may think it rather cute. But

stop and consider. Kitty doesn’t really know what he is going to land on when he makes that big

leap from floor to counter. Do you really want him to land on those cookies that are just ready to go

into the oven? Or he could easily knock something hot or breakable onto the floor not to mention

that it is unsanitary. So how can you stop him?

The trick is to use something he hates to discourage this habit. Most cats hate sudden, loud noise, so

if you make a loud noise in his face when he jumps up, he’ll quickly jump back down. Soon he’ll

begin to associate the loud noise with that particular activity and he’ll stop. So what can you use to

make a loud noise? An empty soda can with a few pebbles or marbles in it is one good idea. Shake it

in kitty’s face so it rattles loudly and startles him. He won’t like that. If you also say no several times

very loudly he may soon stop jumping as soon as he hears that command. Some people believe

growling is a good idea. This is how kitty’s mother would teach him what is allowed and what is not.

This is one way in which cats communicate with one another, too.

A bottle filled with pebbles could also be used, but the noise is slightly muted by the plastic or could

be dangerous in glass. Another idea is to roll a few sheets of newspaper up and slap the counter

right in front of him with it. Then if he does not jump down, pick him up by the scruff of the neck

and place him on the floor. Never scoop him up from the table and cuddle or kiss him, as this is a

positive reinforcement and will encourage him to jump up next time he wants some attention.

Spraying kitty with a spray bottle full of clean water is another method of discouraging the habit of

jumping onto the counter. If kitty simply won’t stop jumping, try doing several things at the same

time. Keep a child’s horn – the sort you can blow into – nearby. As soon as kitty gets to the top of the

counter, blow the horn in his face, spray him in the face with the water and tap him smartly on the

head with the rolled up newspaper. Do it every time you see him up there and he’ll soon get tired of

all that stress and stop. At least, we hope so!

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How to Stop Your Cat Running Out the Door

If you live in an urban area or anywhere near a major traffic route, you may need to stop your cat

from heading out the door every time you open it. Cats can be easily frightened in traffic and you

don’t want your pet to meet with a nasty accident. Not only will an accident be unpleasant for your

pet, veterinarian fees tend to make a large hole in your budget. Stopping kitty from running out the

door will not be easy, but can be managed with patience. It is certainly easier to train a small kitten

than a grown cat whose habits may be ingrained.

Whether you have a cat or a kitten, it will need to be trained to stay indoors unless you allow it to go

out. To do this, use the cat’s natural traits, working with his nature rather than against it. We know

that cats dislike loud, startling noises, so every time the door is open and kitty heads that way, try

and be ready with a loud noise – but between him and the door. Don’t come up behind him with it

or you’ll just frighten him right out the door.

One good way to train your kitty is to enlist the aid of another person to stand just outside the door.

Then you can open it and as soon as your kitten pokes his nose out, have the other person squirt

him with a spray bottle or water gun. Two people will be even better. One can have a spray bottle;

the other can have the noisemaker. This will frighten your cat back into the room where you can be

waiting to soothe him and tell him what a good cat he is for coming back.

To add even more to the lesson, you can be sure to call him back just before the noise and water

spray happen. If you make your voice sound alarmed, kitty will soon get the message and it will

teach him that an alarmed voice means something unpleasant is going to happen to him. This can be

useful at other times, too. He may be outside in the yard and you suddenly notice he’s about to jump

over the fence. To call him back in a voice of alarm will save him from getting lost or chased by a

dog or even another cat.

Of course, always remember to use positive reinforcement such as petting or treats when he does

the right thing.

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How to Teach Your Cat to Accept Brushing

Cats love to be stroked, so it is easy to teach your cat to accept brushing. Brushing will help to

remove loose hair and prevent kitty getting a fur ball stuck in his throat. It also helps to remove

irritating prickles he may have picked up on his walks outside. You will be able to keep tabs on his

general health if you brush him regularly, too.

Choose a time when kitty is feeling a bit sleepy and wants to curl up on your warm lap. Have the

brush handy so you don’t have to disturb him to get it. If he hasn’t seen the brush before, hold it

near his face so he can sniff it all over if he wants. In this way he will understand that it won’t hurt

him and so he won’t be frightened of it. In fact, it’s a good idea to rub your own hands along the

handle of the brush so he can detect your scent on it. If he’s used to you, he will be reassured that

this strange tool is to be trusted.

Once he has inspected and accepted the brush, begin to brush your cat with slow and gently

movements. Always brush with the lay of the hair, not against it. If kitty tries to grab the brush with

his paws to play with it, put it away immediately. You don’t want him to start playing every time he

sees the brush, you want him to learn to keep still and let you brush him.

As soon as kitty has quieted down, start to brush him again. Start at about ear level and work

backwards with a long, fluid movement. Never try to brush his face, or you might damage his

delicate eyes and whiskers. Brushing the tangles out of badly matted hair can cause pain, so be

careful to do it gently. If kitty expects pain every time he sees the brush, he won’t be amenable to

the process.

Several different brushes can be useful when grooming your pet. A large brush with stiff bristles is

good for the body, while a smaller, softer brush can be easier to manage the belly and tail. If your

cat has long tail hairs, you may need a brush with bristles that are a little stiffer then the smaller

brush has. A comb can also be a handy part of your cat grooming toolbox.

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How to Teach Your Cat to Come When Called

It's important to train your cat to come when it is called for a variety of reasons. You may need to go

out suddenly and you don't wish to leave your cat outside where he may be in danger of other

prowling cats or dogs chasing him. If you’ve trained your cat to come when called, the task of

getting him inside will be simple. So how can we train a cat to come when called? One of the easiest

ways is to use his love of food.

You don't have to train him to know his name. Cats may be called a name, but this is often for the

convenience of the owners, rather than the cat. Kitty doesn't care what he's called and often will

answer to any name, so long as it is said in the same tone of voice. But back to using food for

training. When it is time to feed your kitty, make a loud and specific noise, like rattling a spoon or

knife on the side of the cat food can. He will associate that noise with being fed and come very

quickly. But don't leave it at that. You don't want to have to rattle a spoon every time you want your

cat to come.

While rattling the spoon, call the kitty's name over and over. Say it loudly enough to be heard above

the rattling spoon. Very often a high-pitched 'kitty-kitty-kitty' will do the trick. He will get used to

the rattling spoon meaning food, and the sound of your voice will be associated with the rattling

spoon, so that very soon he will come bounding up when you simply call without rattling the spoon.

It is good to reinforce this good behavior by offering a treat, so when he comes at your call and you

don't intend to feed him, give him a little reward instead. It can be a food reward, a cuddle while

telling him what a good kitty he is, or you could offer him a toy and play with him for a while.

Kittens love to chase a wisp of paper tied to a string, so it needn't be an expensive toy. Cats respond

to kindness and play as well as to food.

If your kitty doesn't come promptly to be fed, decrease the amount of food you give him. When he is

really hungry, he will come much more promptly. This is the time to rattle that spoon and call

loudly.

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How to Teach Your Cat to Have His Nails Clipped

Cats can cause a great deal of damage with their sharp claws, not only to furniture, also to the

humans in their household. If you have this trouble, you might want to consider having your cat’s

claws clipped. This is especially important if you have small children in your home.

Cat clippers are available at most pet shops. Don’t use the same clippers on your cat that you may

use for yourself. These are not right for an animal and will pinch his claws painfully. It’s a good idea

to get your kitty used to having his claws handled right from when he is tiny. Wait until he is feeling

sleepy – on your lap is a good place to have him. Handle his paws and claws frequently by gently

holding them squeezing them, picking them up and generally playing gently with them. In this way,

he will see that you mean him no harm when touching his feet. Remember that cats’ feet are very

sensitive and tender.

You will be able to make kitty unsheathe his claws if you gently squeeze his paws. Run your fingers

gently over the claws several times, but if he tries to scratch you, simply stop and wait until he

becomes sleepy again. It may take several days for kitty to begin to accept having his claws and

paws touched. It is wise to do it often, even when his claws don’t need clipping, because then he will

be so used to it he won’t mind.

Once you think he is happy to have you play with his claws and he doesn’t try to scratch you, you

can introduce the clippers. Again, wait until he is in a sleepy mood before you start to clip. It may be

a good thing for you to just hold him, while another person does the clipping, that way you’ll be able

to prevent any sudden movements on kitty’s part that could result in injury to him or you.

When you are playing with kitty’s claws, take a good look and you’ll see the pinkish cloudy part

near where the nail comes out of its sheath. That is the equivalent to the quick of a humans nail. Be

sure to never clip into this part or you will cause a great deal of pain to kitty and his claws will

bleed. If kitty truly doesn’t like to get his nails clipped and yet they must be done, he can be

wrapped up in a towel to help hold him and protect you from scratches.

Some people have their cat’s front claws removed. It can be a painful process, but if you have a cat

that you just are not able to train not scratch your antique furniture this can be an option. This

process should only be done by a veterinarian and if you follow his, or her, instructions the initial

discomfort is short lived.

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How to Teach Your Cat to Sit on Command

Some people would have us believe that it is impossible to teach a cat anything, but if he can be

taught to come for his dinner then he can be taught other things as well. It may require patience and

constancy, but the end result will be worth it. Not many cats have been taught to sit on command,

yet it is not impossible to teach your cat this trick. Make sure your cat is wide-awake and a little

hungry before you start to teach him this one

Get him used to accepting edible treats from your hand, so that he knows when he smells it, that

you have something in your hand for him. Choose a time that the cat is standing. Approach him with

the treat and let him smell that it is in your closed fist. Once he has sniffed your hand, move it over

the top of his head. Not high above him or he might jump to reach it. Just slide your hand over the

top of his head, about one centimeter above it. You will see that to keep his nose near the treat, he

will sit. If he does not sit, gently push on his back –just in front of the tail - until he does.

Of course, you must also give voice commands. Say “Sit” in a firm voice at the same time that you

move your hand. As soon as kitty sits, give him the treat and praise him. You need to do this several

times throughout the day to remind him what it is all about. It’s no use doing it once this week and

then forgetting all about it until next week. Cats are not likely to remember anything like that for a

whole week.

Once your cat sits quickly for his treat, you can try doing it with no treat. Still use your hand motion,

but with nothing in the hand. When he sits, open the hand and show him there is nothing there, but

still praise and stroke him for obeying. The next time you do it and he obeys, have a treat for him,

but gradually wean him off the treats. You will need to make him sit at least twice a day for some

time before he gets the hang of it. Once he is used to sitting without a treat, try giving the command

without the hand motion. If he does not obey, go back to using the hand motion with the treat for a

while longer. In this way you will train your cat to sit, and it will amaze your friends.

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How to Teach Your Cat Tricks from Natural Behaviors

The best way to teach a cat tricks is by making use of his natural behavior. In the zoo you will often

see a lion or tiger that will jump for his food. In the wild, these animals do such things naturally.

They are a part of the cat’s normal behavior, so this makes it much easier to train them. So what

other natural behaviors do cats have?

They love to climb and jump, so any trick that includes this will be one that kitty should take to with

no trouble. For instance, you could teach him to jump from one stool to another to get his food. Of

course, if he then wants to jump from the stool onto the counter where you don’t want him, you

might have a problem.

Cats love to chase and pounce on anything that rustles, so that if you have a trick where you want

kitty to chase something, make sure it also rustles. Little kittens are more playful than mature cats,

so this is a good time to teach them tricks. Kittens will often chase a shadow on the floor. If this is

the shadow of your hand, you can make it go up the wall and kitty will jump after it.

An older cat will often chase a tennis ball the children are hitting to each other across the yard,

especially if it bounces. To the cat, it looks like a mouse bounding along. This behavior can often be

incorporated into what seems to be some kind of trick, but in reality, it is a natural behavior

modified or added to and the result becomes a trick.

Cats are very quick to see moving things, so you can get your cat to look as if it is shaking its head,

just by using a movement at each side of the room. This can be started up a bit closer, then

gradually moved further away. A noise may be used first, to get the cat to look that way.

When teaching your cat tricks, don’t confuse him by trying to do several at once. Use one movement

or trick at a time and stop as soon as kitty loses interest. Choose the time of day that kitty seems to

be most playful to encourage these playful behaviors and kitty will soon come to look forward to

them. In no time you’ll have him doing tricks and he’ll think it’s the best fun he’s ever had. Don’t

forget to reward him every time he does something you want him to and always be patient. Never

punish kitty if he doesn’t do what you want.

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How to Teach Your Kitty to Travel in a Car

When you take kitty anywhere, it will most likely be in a car, so you have to also get him used to

travelling in the car. Make sure you let him sit in the car often. Let him be in it when stationary at

first, then start the motor when he is in it. A short drive such as from the sidewalk into the garage

will be sufficient for the first time. Once he is used to the car, put him in the carrier and put that in

the car. Take him for a short drive and make sure he has something to eat during it. He will then

associate going in the car with food and that will make him happy.

It’s a good idea to let kitty get used to being in the car without being in the carrier. To do this and

keep him safe at the same time, make sure the car is shut in the garage. One good way is to leave the

car doors open and the kitty in the garage with the car. His natural curiosity will soon have him

investigating. You could sit in the car yourself and hold the kitty on your lap, then let him walk

around in it as much as he likes.

Once kitty is used to being in the car, have him in it with the motor running. This will be a little

different for him because there will be the slight movement caused by the engine running. There

will also be the fumes of the exhaust that could upset him. Don’t have the car locked in the garage

with the engine running. It could be dangerous. Reverse out of the garage.

To keep kitty safe, you’ll need to keep the windows almost closed and the doors shut. Let him roam

around in the car while it is idling. It’s not a good idea to drive anywhere with a cat or kitten loose

in the car. Cats should be confined in a carrier for safety – their own and yours.

It’s possible that an unconfined cat could jump on you while you are driving and cause an accident.

Or, if a window is accidentally left down, kitty might jump out into the middle of traffic. He could

easily escape when you park and open the door. Cats get frightened easily and you may not be able

to get him back if he panics and bolts.

If your cat is to be an outside cat, he will need special training to get him used to the car. Otherwise,

not being used to windows, he will try to jump through the glass and panic when he can’t. While it’s

good to let kitty get used to being in a car without being in a carrier, it’s not a good way to travel. Be

sure your kitty is safe at all times by using a carrier while in the car.

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How to Teach Your Kitty to Travel in a Carrier

Once you have that new kitty, you’ll need to teach him to be happy and comfortable in a carrier

because there will be times he will need to go to the veterinarian. You may even need to take him to

a friend’s place or a cat motel while you go on holidays. So the sooner he gets used to being in a

carrier the better.

You don’t want kitty to be stressed out every time he goes into the carrier, so purchase one well

before you need to use it. Once you have it, leave it near his food bowl so he can get used to the sight

of it. Of course, he won’t know what it’s for, but his naturally inquisitive nature will make him want

to inspect it or even play in it. Leave the door of it open and place a piece of his bedding and a food

treat inside, so he will begin to associate being in it with food and other happy things. You could

even place his favorite toy in there.

Once he has been in and out of the carrier several times, then you can shut him in it for a few

minutes each day. If he has food, water and bedding, he should be quite happy. Leave him in it for a

little longer each day. If he seems to be quite settled when inside of it, then you could pick it up and

gently swing it around or walk along with it. Talk reassuringly to kitty all the while, because he

might not like the sensation of movement over which he has no control. Do this often enough so

that he doesn’t forget what it’s like in between times.

Once kitty feels comfortable in the carrier, place it in different rooms with him in it and carry it

around outside. Place it out in the car for a while, but remain with him until he is used to that too.

He will soon get to know that being in the carrier is a normal part of his life and be happy and

settled whenever you have to take him anywhere in it.

Never place your kitty in a carrier as a punishment. If you do, he will begin to associate it with

unhappiness and will never want to go in it. Being in a carrier should be a happy and positive

experience for your kitty and one that he will look forward to without fear.

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How to Train Your Cat for Shows

Many cat-lovers like to take their cat to shows in the hopes of winning that red or blue ribbon that

says their kitty is the best. So what training do cats need to be successfully shown? One of the most

important things your cat needs to know is how to relate to strangers. If your cat bites or scratches

when being inspected, the behavior will not impress the judge. So one of the main things to teach

him is to be at ease with strangers handling him.

The way to do this is to encourage all your friends to pick him up and pet him. If he gets used to this,

he will begin to realize that strangers will not harm him and will accept being handled by the judge.

He also needs to be able to handle being in a cage for certain periods of time without going crazy.

You can confine your cat at home for short periods of time in a cage similar to the one used at the

cat show. To make it a pleasant experience for him, leave food and water in there and some of his

bedding. If he is comfortable, he will be happy. The first time you place him in the cage, choose a

time when you know he is sleepy and he will settle down more quickly. But even before then, place

the cage on the floor with the door open and a treat inside to encourage him to go in by himself.

Training your cat to travel in the car is a necessary part of training him for shows. If he stresses out

about it, he won’t arrive at the show looking or feeling his best. Introduce your cat to the car slowly;

by leaving the door open so he can go in and out at his leisure. Cats are curious creatures; it won’t

take him long to investigate. Once he is used to the carrier, place it in the car so he can become

familiar with it being there.

Grooming is of the utmost importance for showing your cat. You will have taught him to accept

washing and brushing, so he will look his best at the show. You may need to teach him to accept

such things as ribbons in his hair, too.

Cats are normally solitary creatures, but in a cat show there will be many other cats in close

proximity, so this is another area that your cat may need to be trained in. If he feels threatened by

other cats being nearby, he could go ballistic, so make sure he sees other cats close up from time to

time. The best way to do this is to take him to homes where other cats live, or ask your friends to

bring their cats over for a visit. They may need to be confined in a carrier for starters. Start off with

just one cat visitor at a time, and as he gets used to that, increase the number gradually.

With these few tips, your kitty may soon be carrying off first prize at the next show.

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How to Walk Your Cat on a Leash

It is not the most usual thing to see a cat being walked on a leash. Traditionally, it is dogs that have

leads and cats that roam free. However, these days, with so many small birds and animals on the

verge of extinction, you may want to consider training your cat or kitten to walk on a leash. This

will prevent him from hunting down and killing butterflies or small birds. It will keep him from

climbing trees to take baby birds from their nests. It will also keep him out of danger, as you will be

monitoring his whereabouts in a responsible manner.

Rather than just using a collar and leash to walk your cat, think about using a harness. A cat’s head

is quite small compared to the rest of it and a collar may be inclined to pull over his head and off.

The harness straps should encircle the neck and the body just behind the front legs, with two more

straps to join the circles together; one through the front legs and one down the back of the neck.

There will need to be a clip for the leash as well. Light leather or synthetic material is good for a

cat’s harness. Don’t use anything too heavy or the cat will reject it.

It’s also important to get your cat used to the look and feel of the leash before you take him walking

in it. After he has become used to seeing the leash, (you could leave it in his bed) then let him wear

it for a few minutes each day before leading him around by the lead. While still indoors, tug gently

on the lead whilst calling your kitty. When he comes to you, praise him, but never force or scold him

if he doesn’t come, or he’ll think the leash is a punishment.

When you walk your cat on his leash, don’t walk him the same way as you would a dog. Dogs like to

run fast and are happy to trot at a good gait beside you, once they have learned to lead. Cats are

quite different. They don’t usually run or walk fast in a straight line from A to B. They tend to stop

and start, to wander about and to inspect strange rustlings in the grass. For your cat to enjoy

walking outside with you, you must allow him to do at least some of these things. Never pull the cat

along roughly. He will be likely to try and back off very quickly. Gently encourage him to come with

you and praise him when he comes in the right direction. Hold out treats for him as you call him to

come.

Cats also feel the heat easily. You can’t expect to go for a quick run around the block on the hot

sidewalk with a cat. Remember kitty has no shoes for protection against the blistering heat or cold

snow. Wherever possible walk your cat in the shade and on grass. Sun is all right if it’s not very hot.

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Respect your cat’s need to rest when you are walking him. It’s a good thing to stop and smell the

roses yourself. Let your walk be in a calm and stress-free environment. Your cat will likely be afraid

of loud traffic or skateboarders zooming past his tail. With these few pointers, your cat should soon

begin to enjoy his daily walk.

What Basic Training Does Your Cat Need?

Cats are animals. Humans are animals as well but supposedly of a higher order. In order to live

together in a companionable and happy relationship there are some things that your cat needs to

learn. Owning an animal of any sort should be more pleasure than pain, but there will be

considerable pain if the animal is in control of the household.

So what is the basic training your cat needs, to establish a happy relationship in the family?

First, there is toilet training. There would be nothing worse than to come home from a hard day at

the office to find an unmentionable lump on your best bedspread. So where to go to the toilet is one

of the most important things to train your cat or kitten. Cats are naturally clean animals so it is

quite easy to train to use a litter tray. Simply place him on it after his meal.

Other basic training may depend on where you live. If you live in an apartment, you may need to

train your cat to lead so that you can take him outside. If you live in the country, this may not be

necessary. If you live close to major traffic, but have a backyard, you may need to train your cat to

keep away from the road, otherwise he is likely to get run over.

Another important item that will need attention is to stop your cat from scratching the furniture.

Cats love to scratch and it is their nature to sharpen their claws. They don't just do it to ruin

furniture, but this is what will happen if they are not trained. Remove your cat from the furniture

immediately he starts to scratch and place his paws against his scratching pole.

If you travel a lot and wish to take your cat with you, travel training is a must. It's not wise to allow

your cat freedom in the car, as it may happen to climb onto you while you are driving and this can

cause an accident. Also, if you happen to have an accident with the cat loose in the car, it could be

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injured unnecessarily. A cat travel cage should be used, but make sure it is steadied by using a seat

belt to hold it in place.

One more important thing to train your cat in is not to climb up the screen doors and windows. To

save your screen from being torn to shreds, install a cat door and train kitty how to go through it.

Most people start out with a kitten rather than a full-grown cat, so it is easier to train them. Once

cats are fully grown it is very hard to break them of certain bad habits, so start while they are young

and keep it up. Don't let them get away with behavior that is not acceptable to you.

What Cat Behaviors Need to be Broken?

There are several cat behaviors that are not acceptable for pets. However, much will depend on

your own style of living and whether you live in the country or the city. One of the worst cat

behaviors is scratching; that is, scratching humans. Cats' claws can inflict rather nasty scratches, so

this is one behavior that should be discouraged as much as possible. It won't be possible to

eliminate it entirely as it is a cat's nature to scratch and it does so to protect itself. Making sure your

cat is not frightened and never feels threatened will go a long way to preventing scratching you or

others in the family.

Spraying is another behavior that is unwelcome in the home. Cats spray to mark their territory, so it

is simply a natural thing for them to do. One way to discourage this behavior is to buy a bottle

pheromone. It is a synthetic cat spray and is odorless to humans, but cats can smell it. If your cat

thinks another cat has marked out its territory, then it won't be so likely to do the same thing.

Jumping onto high places is also normal cat behavior, but it may not fit in with your lifestyle if you

have antique vases sitting on shelves. Neither is it healthy to have kitty on the counter while you are

preparing food for the children. Cats can be a danger to themselves as well as to others when they

jump unexpectedly onto places that may not support them.

It goes without saying that you will want your cat to use the litter tray. If he does not, he may have

to become an outside cat. Another behavior that is natural for cats is to go hunting. We like them to

catch mice and rats, but when kitty comes in licking feathers from his jowls, we wonder if that little

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bird was amongst those facing extinction. A bell on his collar will help to prevent kitty from killing

too many birds.

It's not a very nice thing to be cuddled up to kitty only to have him unexpectedly sink his teeth into

your arm. Yet biting is also a natural cat behavior. If your cat is a biter, discourage him by placing

him on the floor immediately when he bites. It may be that he had finished with cuddling anyway

and this was his way of letting you know. If his biting seems excessive, you may need to keep that

rolled up newspaper handy. He will soon understand not to bite.

What Cat Behaviors need to be learned?

There are a number of behaviors that your cat needs to learn so that your relationship will be a

happy and stress-free one. Having a cat as a pet has many benefits, but these can be out-weighed if

the cat is allowed to rule the roost, especially if his nature is exuberant and mischievous. Certain

behaviors need to be learned by your cat for the safety of other members of the house as well as to

enhance the relationship between cat and humans.

An important thing for kitty to learn is to use his litter tray. Urinating on furniture or carpet will

spoil it for life and leave an odor that is impossible to remove. It is also unhealthy to have puddles

or other unmentionables on the floor where toddlers may be crawling.

A cat or kitten also needs to learn to come when called. This makes is easier to get him out of

danger if he has wandered away and it also makes feeding time more organized. If you need to go

out and the cat must be shut in, you need to be able to call him and have him turn up in a reasonable

time-frame or you’ll be late for work or wherever you were off to.

Cats are nocturnal animals. That’s why they suddenly come to life around sunset and want to go

wandering. That’s why they snooze a lot in the day. This behavior is impossible to prevent entirely,

but you can keep kitty locked inside at night and play with him during the day. The less he sleeps in

the day, the more he will sleep at night.

If you travel a lot and want to take your cat, then he will need to learn how to travel comfortably in

a car and it’s important for him not to wander away and get lost once you arrive at your destination.

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It would be a good thing for your cat to learn how to lead in a harness, and then you can take him

out for a walk without worrying that he will stray or run into danger.

Cats also need to learn not to be destructive. It’s a cat’s nature to sharpen his claws and to hunt and

jump. These behaviors are not so welcome in the home, so the cat must learn where he is allowed to

scratch and what he can jump on safely. He doesn’t know that the stove will burn him if he jumps

onto it, nor does he realize that he might knock down your antique vase if he jumps up on that shelf.

These are the sorts of things a cat needs to learn.

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How to train your cat

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