All the do ’s and don’ts of changing your cat ’s behaviour .
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
Cats are frequently known tojump on the counter , chew on wires , and scratch household items that are not designed to be scratched . as luck would have it , it ’s possible to change acat ’s behaviorby rewarding for good behaviour and disciplining for uncollectible behavior . However , because you do n’t need to damage your family relationship with the cat or hurt them , it ’s important to sleep with the right room to train a hombre .
Credit:The Spruce / Ana Cadena
Here are the do ’s and don’ts of how to discipline a cat the right way .
Don’t Compare Your Cat to a Dog
guy are not like firedog , so you should n’t anticipate them to act like frump or interact with you like frank . They are also smarter than many people opine and they have a great retentivity . expert DoS that cats have both long - term and forgetful - condition computer memory so they are trainable . At the same clock time , it also stand for they cognise what they can get away with repeatedly . Do n’t err this for spite ; your feline is merely following their ingrain behavioural traits .
Do Use Positive Reinforcement
Pets , like people , react well to positive reenforcement , so African tea will remember when they get something they revel . Most cat-o'-nine-tails like attention , food , toys , or all three . Choose a inducement that you may use to entice your cat to do what you want them to do and to provide them with a descriptor of positive reenforcement .
If potential , reward your cat with this special detail only when train for this particular demeanor . reserve the desirable item for training , will add to the economic value of the reward and make it that much more enticing to your cat . attempt mellow - value treats like tuna , lickable wet food , or catnip toys .
Don’t Physically Reprimand Your Cat
Never condition your cat by hit them , dire them , grabbing them by the nape of the neck opening , or other electronegative method . The most important thing to think of is to never physically punish your khat . This includes spank , hitting , kicking , or hurt your computerized axial tomography designedly . Attempting to teach a bozo a example through physical means does not run and can lead to more tumultuous , even aggressive , behaviour .
Do Provide Alternatives for Bad Behavior
Provide alternatives so that your qat has an outlet for the behavior they ’re trying to express . For model , if your cat " counter breaker " they may desire to be up gamey . Provide a perch or awindow sill bedthat is about the same height as the counter , then reinforce your cat when they use the perch . Or , if your cat jumps to the spigot every time it move around on , they may just want some running piss to booze from , so consider getting awater fountain .
Don’t Scruff Your Cat
Neverscruff your cat . This is no longer recommended as a method of restraint or transport for adult Arabian tea . Scruffing is abominable and when you have a misbehaving guy pain , it will only further exacerbate an issue . It is also thought that what look to be loosening for some cats who are scruffed is actually fear paralysis .
An alternative to grabbing a cat by the scruff is put a blanket over them and scoop the cat up inside it . This will keep you and the cat dependable and earmark you to transport the cat without stressing them out or causing physical infliction .
Do Use Pheromones
sure pheromone can be spray on an object or permeate into the area that you do not want your cat to scratch . These pheromone ( likeFeliway ) signal to your computerized tomography that they have already " marked " the area and do not call for to mark it again . Caterpillar often mark district by scratch . provide ascratching postfor them and place dainty or other reward around the military post will help distract unwanted scraping as well .
Don’t Make Loud Noises
It ’s not recommended to use spray bottles or noisy cans to punish or deter your cat . Your computed tomography will only get down to be suspicious of you when you are around and will continue the risky behavior when you are n’t around . The only effective matter you have taught your cat is to be frightened of you .
Do Use Double-Sided Tape or Aluminum Foil
Double - sided tape oraluminum foilcan be placed on surfaces you do n’t want your kat on or scratching . Use museum putty to contain glob of crumpled aluminum foil along the edge of a cabinet or counter where your computerized tomography jumps up , or use rows of double - sided tape measure to the country of the couch where your guy scratches the upholstery .
Be trusted to provide positive option , however , such as a nearby scratching post or a piece of cat article of furniture that allows your cat a patch for rise and rest .
Don’t Engage With An Aggressive Cat
Do not answer with force to a cat-o'-nine-tails that is showing aggression . It increases the aggressiveness in the cat and reinforce that the big cat should be wary around you . Do not attempt to pick up a computerized axial tomography that is showing aggression as this will typically increase aggressive behaviour .
The safe and most effective thing to do is withdraw yourself for a few minutes and then if your computed axial tomography is calm when you return repay them . Aggressive quat are typically scared or stressed out about something , so it is important to seek to identify likely issues in a cat that is showing aggression towards masses or other animals .
Do Use Motion Activated Air-Sprays
locate these devices around areas you do not want your cat to access . If the cat comes close , it will spray melody and typically deter the cat-o'-nine-tails from coming closer . This is another option that works well on kitchen counter or other area where you do n’t require your cat jumping up or walking .
To have a spray or other hindrance be effective , it has to be deployed every undivided clip the cat performs the demeanour . First , your bozo associates the negative with the counter or objective , not you , and , second , it is present all the time , even if you are not there .
Don’t Yell
Raising your voice and yelling at your cat is n’t helpful when it comes to disciplining them . They might get scared , stressed , or neural , especially since they have sensible hearing . They likely wo n’t infer why you ’re being garish all of a sudden , so it is n’t effective at changing behaviors .
Do Say Something
jump your quat with an " ouch " or another Christian Bible to end any jolty conduct . Then immediately remove yourself from the cat . Go into a room and exclude the door . This teaches them that jumpy behavior means playtime or cuddles stop .
Don’t Rub Your Cat’s Nose in an Accident
Rubbing your cat ’s nose in a bit they peed in or defecated on is not a adept move at all . It scare them , they do n’t empathise why you ’re doing it to them , and it does n’t correct the underlie issue .
When cats go to the bathroom outside the litter box , it might be a result of emphasis or anxiousness , it might be because they are n’t feeling well and there ’s a medical issue that needs to be treated by a veterinarian , or it might be because their bedding box seat is too contaminating or too strongly scented with fragrance . If you have more than one cat , ensure there are enough litter loge for all of them , and outflank them daily .
If you ca n’t figure out what ’s going on to make your cat-o'-nine-tails to avoid the litter box , talk to your veterinary .
Credit:The Spruce / Ana Cadena
Do Encourage and Train Good Behavior
think it or not , techniques used to discipline dogs , such as positive reinforcementclicker training , also work well in cats ! reinforce positive behavior with treats , pet , or dally gives your cat the respectable vibes they need to preserve to exhibit this behavior and it strengthens the positive bond you have with your khat .
Whenever possible , givetreats , praise , and attention to your computerized tomography if they ’re act nicely . If you notice them lying next to something they used to chew , reward them . If you notice them scratching the scratching pole instead of your sofa , reward them . Your computed axial tomography will quickly get wind the difference between practiced and forged behavior .
you’re able to also use this type of positive reinforcement to learn your Caterpillar conjuration , such as shake hands , rolling over , or sitting up . joke are n’t only for dogs ! Many felines enjoy the additional care and advantage of learning and performing wide-eyed tricks with their favorite humans .
Credit:The Spruce / Ana Cadena
Do Rule Out Medical Issues
Sometimes , a aesculapian outcome might have your guy to work out or develop distressing behaviors . If your cat short develops troubling behavior , it ’s a good idea to schedule an appointment with your veterinary . These behaviors let in :
It may be that rather than being spiteful or difficult , your qat is endure from an undiagnosed aesculapian condition or ailment .
