Can cats be trained exactly like a dog? The answer is rather no, because cats are by nature more independent and not marked to want to please a human. With dogs, it’s different. They want to subordinate and serve a human. Dogs can remember several commands and behave accordingly. Cats can do the same. But whether they feel like obeying them is another matter. So how can a community of cat and man form?.
Tips and tricks
Kitten are easier to educate than older cats, which already have their peculiarities. The coexistence of man and cat works only with clear rules, which must be observed by all family members at all times. For example, if the cat is to avoid the bed, other family members must also consistently not take the velvet paw into bed with them. Contradictory behavior unsettles the cat. Unwanted behavior can be commented with a clear “No”. It does not matter which word you use. The cat will remember the tone of voice, which should always be the same. After saying “no,” put the cat in a different place. For example, if she has sharpened her claws on the sofa, put the cat on the scratching post or scratching board. If the cat continues to sharpen its claws there, reward the cat with a treat or petting. Specifically, this means:
- Remove the cat from the bed and place the cat on the targeted bed, on the cat pillow, or in the cat basket
- Pick the cat off the curtains and place the cat on the cat tree for climbing
- Remove the cat from the flower pot and place the cat in the litter box for business
Basically, cat training works on the principle in which you reinforce correct cat behavior. Never shout at the cat, because cats have a very sensitive hearing that perceives the most minimal vibrations and moods. Violence, such as picking them up by the scruff of the neck, is also taboo. Cats are very clean animals. If the cat has nevertheless made a puddle, do not dunk the cat in it with its nose. Research why the cat suddenly became unclean and turn off the circumstances that led to the uncleanliness. Perhaps you changed the cat litter or the litter box is in an inconvenient place. In addition, uncleanliness can also be the sign of an illness or mental stress..
To make the cat listen to its name, you can connect the mention of the name with something positive. Then, when the cat comes to you, praise your cat profusely to reinforce the positive expectation. Having the cat listen to your name can be vital in dicey situations or when the cat needs to go to the vet. Don’t stretch out the daily learning sessions too long and focus on a single thing so the cat doesn’t have to divide its attention between several things. Do not force your cat to do anything. This is completely futile when it comes to educating the cat.
Breaking the cat’s habit of marking
This is more than annoying: A cat uses urine to mark its territory on walls and furniture. If the cat does this can, then it may be that the cat is overall dissatisfied with its environment and therefore marks. Therefore, first make sure that the cat has enough retreats and give it attention. With kittens, neutering can help, because often sex hormones are the triggers for marking. With marking, cats distribute odorants to make them feel comfortable. Excessive cleaning and scent-intensive cleaning agents can also be a cause that the cat marks. With the marking it wants then the smell familiar to it again.
Get cats out of the habit of birding
Domestic cats chase birds because it’s a primal instinct, not because they’re hungry. So supervise your cat outdoors between May and June, when young birds are especially abundant. Another way to break the habit of birding is through spaying and neutering. The hunting instinct decreases after that.
The best cat pillows
Raising kittens
Ideally, the mother cat takes over the socialization of the kittens and shows her children the most important behaviors: How to eat from the food bowl, how to clean themselves and also how to use the litter box. The cat offspring contains the most information between the sixth and the eleventh week. Therefore kittens should grow up with their mother until they are 12 weeks old, because the mother cat already disciplines her children if they get too wild. In the new home, the kitten will first explore the territory and test its limits. Already here you can work with the reinforcement of positive behavior, so that the kitten learns what it is allowed and what not. If there is a treat for desired behavior, the kitten will get used to it faster than an adult cat and seek the proximity of its caregiver. The most important commands for admonishing against unwanted behavior are “No, Fie, or Off,” combined with the kitten’s call name. Admonish the kitten immediately after the unwanted behavior and praise it when it changes its behavior. If it does not stop what it is doing, put the kitten in a different place.
When kittens scratch and bite
Kittens bite your fingers or toes not as a game, but it is the hunting instinct that grabs them. Stop this immediately with the command “No” and offer a cat toy as an alternative. The application of mint oil helps to prevent cats from scratching sensitive furniture. Cats do not like the smell. Show the kitten the scratching board or scratching post where he can legally sharpen his claws and praise him when he uses the scratching furniture. You can lightly hiss at the kitten for unwanted behavior. This is similar to the hissing cats use to reprimand each other. If that doesn’t help, try stopping the unwanted behavior with a squirt of water from a flower spray bottle or water gun. Cats are water shy and associate the undesirable behavior with water.
How to housebreak the kitten?
Normally, the kitten learns from the mother cat how to use the litter box. However, the new home and the new litter box can confuse the kitten. Therefore, use an open litter box for kitten where it can easily get in and out. Show the mini house cat the toilet and put the kitten in it without further ado. You can repeat the process several times. It is advantageous to use the same cat litter that the kitten is already used to. Reward the kitten when it has done its business.
Getting kitten used to the carrier
This is easier than you think if you include the transport box in the game. Put the kitten in the box and start the daily game from there by chasing a paper ball or ribbon. Set up the transport box as a cat cave with a cat pillow and a cat blanket so that the kitten sleeps or rests in it. This way, it will associate the transport box with pleasant experiences and the kitten will not be afraid in it.
