Cat's Training

Since cats are relatively self-sufficient animals, they require less training than many other pets. Despite their independence, however cats still need effective housetraining and instruction regarding the behavior limits in your house. Cats may also learn to come, sit and perform a variety of commands and tricks.

Several general principles should guide the training of a cat, no matter what are your personal goals.

1. Use praising, petting and playing as rewards for proper behavior. Avoid hitting your cat.

2. Give your cat lots of opportunities to behave properly. Supply it with scratching posts and safe toys for climbing and chewing.

3. Be alert to facial and body clues. Cats that threaten to attack will straighten their tails; bear their teeth and often hiss, spit or growl. Let the cat calm down before you approach or touch it.

4. Be firm and consistent.

House training will be easier if you establish a personal space for your cat right away. It will need a bed or lined cardboard box, food water and a litter box. Put all of these items (as well as toys, scratching posts and climbing objects) in a small room that can be secured at night or when the cat is alone.

Cats are naturally neat and clean, and usually learn to use a litter box very quickly. Usually that cats that arrive at your house are well trained, but you can easily teach this skill yourself. Place the litter box in a quiet place, away from the cat's food and water, and line it with kitty litter. Make sure that the cat can easily find and climb into the box.

Put the cat in the box often, especially after waking up, eating or vigorous play. Praise the cat for correct use. Only scold the cat for incorrect behavior when you catch it in the act.

To ensure that your cat continues to use the box, keep it dry and sanitary. Clean it daily or change disposable pans twice a week. Wash the box with hot water and soap in an outdoor or multi-purpose sink. An inch or two of baking soda under the kitty litter will help absorb odors.

Consult with a veterinarian if your cat later develops problems after having completed a successful house training program.

No matter how often you praise your cat for proper behavior, a reprimand for incorrect behavior will probably be necessary at some time. It is your responsibility to convey clear messages regarding acceptable and unacceptable behavior, since the cat will not automatically know the difference. Unacceptable acts include biting and scratching people, climbing on or scratching furniture and anything that is dangerous to the cat or annoying to you.

When the cat misbehaves, reprimand it immediately using a verbal “NO”, loud handclap or squirt of water from a spray bottle. Scolding the animal “after the fact” will be confusing and ineffective. Hitting or shaking a cat often provokes an aggressive response.

In order to teach your cat its name, speak it often, especially during play and petting times. Most cats will quickly associate the name with pleasant experiences and come to you in response. Never call the cat to you, however in order to scold it, you should always approach the cat in these situations.

Get cat's Training Secrets for further more information on training your cat.