Solid Advice For Pet Owners

Training your cat may seem like an impossible task. After all, it’s not often you hear cat owners asking their cats to sit, heel or roll over. While your cat will almost never respond like a dog, some vets and animal behaviorists believe your strong-willed kitty can be trained to do some things – and one of the most effective training tools is a clicker. A clicker device clicks audibly when pressed, and can be used to create associations with a wide range of tasks, that your cat can learn over time. If you’re going to use a clicker, it’s important that your cat gets used to the sound of it before you attempt any specific training techniques, click the device and wait for the sound to catch your cat’s attention. Once you’re sure the cat recognizes the sound and that it is coming from the clicker in your hand, reward your cat with praise and a small treat. Repeat this process consistently to build a positive relationship between the clicker and your cat’s positive response to it. Once that relationship has been established, the reward can slowly be removed from the process and the clicker will be enough of a reward. At this point, start to associate the clicker (and different clicks) with different commands. For example, if you call your cat to ‘come,’ and they do, click the clicker. This will set the tone for associating the command with the clicker and the process of coming towards you. You can also use this for mealtimes, or for getting your cat to come outside with you.This can also be used in tandem with your cat’s name – which research says they know, but choose to ignore. Inevitably you may find that the clicker may not even be necessary if your cat begins to answer to their name, but it can be an important support for getting your cat’s attention and their understanding that you require something from them. If you’re struggling to get into the swing of using the clicker, consult a cat behaviourist for some tips that work for your cat and his or her unique personality.   Photo by Daria Shatova on Unsplash

We all know that sinking feeling. You come home from a long day, only to find that your dearest kitty has gone to town on your couch with their claws. And while it’s tempting to get irritated, scratching is normal, healthy behaviour for your cat. To keep their claws in tip-top condition, cats need to scratch regularly, but your custom-made curtains should not be the target – and it’s important that your cat knows this. The best thing you can do as an owner is provide suitable alternatives. The best options are designated scratching pads or posts. These should be introduced into the home as soon as possible, so that your cat learns to use them from an early age. When you see your cat scratching your furniture, one of the most effective ways to dissuade them is to try squirting them (very gently) with water from a spray bottle. This action, which should never be done angrily or aggressively, should be accompanied with a firm “no!”. Also, try to cover the item your cat prefers with plastic. Most cats return to the same spot, and the uncomfortable feeling of plastic under their paws should help to dissuade them. On the other hand, when you see your cat using their scratching pad or post, you should reward them with affection and affirmation. This will help to create negative associations with damaging the furniture and positive associations with using the scratching post to keep their claws sharp. Ensure you get the right scratching aid for your cat – both in terms of size and height, and their ability to reach it without obstacles.   Photo by Luiza Sayfullina on Unsplash

Cats, like people, have different personalities – and a hot temper may just be one of the traits your cat possesses. However, if your cat is unusually aggressive or regularly violent, it’s worth looking a little deeper. The first thing to establish is whether your cat is indeed being aggressive, or just tends to be a little overzealous. Some cats may hide and pounce, scratch or even nibble at the strangest times. While this can be playful, or a reflection of their instinct to hunt, overly aggressive behaviour should be attended to with the right kind of corrective measures. Don’t encourage it It is important not to encourage your cat’s aggressive behaviour. Play-fighting with your cat, or encouraging them to do so with other cats and animals sends a signal that you condone this behaviour. Violence begets violence, so any kind of physical reprimand or punishment will generally make your cat more defensive and violent. Instead, try to channel your cat’s energy and need for physical stimulation in a different direction. Providing hanging toys, jingling balls or chew toys allow your cat to play and pounce, without doing any harm. This takes the emphasis away from hurting and redirects their energy toward stimulation and fun. Can’t we all just get along? Often, signs of aggression occur in homes with more than one cat or animal. This is partially to do with cats being inherently territorial, single-minded animals, who enjoy their own space, and the freedom to do things their own way. Encouraging a non-competitive, equally loving environment between cats and/or with other animals in the household is crucial. Any fighting should always be stopped immediately. However, the environment could also be a trigger for this behaviour. Inadequate food provision (in the same bowl for example) or constantly occupied litter boxes can make for a tense environment, so it is important to look after each animal’s needs individually. Getting territorial Beyond your home, neighboring cats can also create a trigger for aggressive or violent behaviour as your cat strives to defend its territory. Try to keep other cats off your property, and certainly do not give them access to your home, your cat’s food or litter box. If necessary, discuss this with your neighbor to figure out a solution for the cats involved. Consult an expert In serious cases of aggression and fighting, the input of a cat behaviorist may be necessary. A history of violence (especially in the case of rescue or stray animals) or temperament issues may need their expert involvement to help your cat react more positively to difficult situations.   Photo by Steve Harvey on Unsplash

We’ve all heard it from cat owners, seen it in movies and experienced it for ourselves – cats hate water. Right? Not always. For some cats, a flowing tap, emptying bath or even a swimming pool is their idea of a fun place to be. Cats don’t necessarily respond to water in the same way dogs do. While your pet pup might happily jump in the tub when it’s time for a bath, it’s unlikely your cat will do the same. Any cat with an attraction to water interacts with it on their terms only. Natural instinct Most of their seemingly unusual behaviors are a response to the way cats would otherwise interact with water in nature – at a trickling stream, or from rain droplets falling off a tree, or even in some cases, a voluntary dip in a shallow pond. This is particularly the case for cats crossed with Bengal, Maine Coon or Turkish Van varieties, where genetics have kept the interest in water intact, due to proximity to water in their wild habitats. It’s important that you don’t discourage your cat from interacting with water if they want to, as this will start to create a negative association. Similarly, a cat who is happy to linger near the pool, or even sip from a garden rock pool does not want to be dunked in a bath whenever it is suitable for you. Don’t push it Most cats, even those with an attraction to water, prefer not to be fully immersed, which is why your playful cat might only appear interested in the bath while it is been drained. Similarly, cats hate being sprayed with water, because of the sheer shock of it. As a result, the use of a light spray of water from a water bottle is often used as a training technique – particularly for preventing against scratching of furniture or fighting. This technique should only be used to gently discourage, and not to punish, especially if your cat has an otherwise positive, happy relationship with water. Trust us, you’re the lucky ones.   Photo by Rebecca Campbell on Unsplash

There are few things more exciting than extending your family (or furiously) with a new fur kid. It’s a chance to provide some company for your existing cat, and bring new energy into the home. But the process takes some time, and it’s important to keep a few things in mind if you want a happy, harmonious relationship between your cats. Get the right personality he first thing to consider is choosing the right cat to add to your family. If you’ve already got a particularly sedentary cat, it’s best not to get an overly playful cat, who may potentially frustrate or even irritate your more relaxed cat. Similarly, if you have an older or more temperamental cat, a kitten with boundless energy may present a source of anger or aggression from your cat, who has clearly established your home as their territory. While the cats don’t have to be the same age or have the exact same personality traits, it’s important to think about your cat’s well being and preferences as much as your own. Ground rules When bringing your new cat into the home, the next consideration is space. Cats are naturally territorial, so it will be important for your existing cat to feel that their territory has not been invaded, and at the same time, it’s important for your new cat to get to know your space. Establish clearly demarcated spaces for eating and sleeping, and a clear separation of litter boxes, to minimize clashes at mealtimes and bathroom breaks. For most cats, being separated entirely might be best, with the new cat (particularly if it is a kitten) best kept in a separate room. One technique used by cat behaviourists is bringing each cat to either side of the door, so that they can smell each other, communicate, with the safety of the door separating them. Your cats may well start to eat or sleep together over time, but it’s important to let them come to that decision on their own, instead of being forced into it. Supervised play When it comes to play, this is where the relationship can be make or break. Cats have different personalities, approaches and habits when it comes to play, so it will be important to make sure that play is initially supervised. Gentle interaction and play will also give your cats a chance to get used to each other’s scents, which is a key part of their bonding process. However, this must not be rushed. Before you allow your cats the opportunity to meet, giving each cat a towel with the other cat’s scent is a more passive way to create familiarity. In the cases where your cats display signs or anxiety, aggression or violence, it may be necessary to take them both to a cat behaviorist who can intervene on a more skilled level, and suggest more techniques for their interaction.   Photo by Ayelt van Veen on Unsplash

Like people, cats have different interests, personalities and bad habits. In the case of stealing, some cats will nip anything they can get their paws on – with some even hoarding their treasures in a special place. There are a number of reasons why cats might steal, and not all of them are negative. Attention seeking The primary reason for cats stealing is that at one point or another, the behaviour got them attention. This is not to say they’re necessarily crying out for attention, but they know that it’s a sure-fire way to either get a laugh or a frustrated sigh. Either way, the fuss created by the stealing may encourage your cat to continue doing this. In this case, it’s best to ignore the behaviour and simply retrieve the object and put it back in its place. In the case of food, making it less accessible or covering it without admonishing your cat is a smart, non-attentive way of showing your cat that you know about their behaviour but will not acknowledge or praise it. Just a bit of fun For other cats, particularly kittens, stealing is seen as a form of play. The process of stealing (especially food) is used to simulate their natural instinct to stalk, pounce and eat their prey. It’s important to provide other avenues and objects to get this response. Make sure your cat has access to toys and balls of different sizes, colours and textures. These will take their attention away from stealing everyday objects around the house. Use these toys to play with your cat, so that they get the necessary stimulation and attention from you. Creating comfort The third possibility is that your cat’s stealing behaviour is a stress management tactic. Stealing things can be an attempt to get your attention, and get you to inject more play time in your day – cats are sensitive to your work life balance. Particularly if your cat is stealing useless objects and hoarding them, this might be happening in an attempt to create a sense of comfort or familiarity in an uncomfortable or unfamiliar situation. In this case, particularly if the behaviour is being compulsive, urgently reach out to your cat’s vet or look into seeing a cat behaviorist.    Photo by Biel Morro on Unsplash

Bedtime for you doesn’t always mean bedtime for your cat. Cats are naturally nocturnal, so just as we are about to hit the hay, they are ready to come alive. Cats tend to do much of their napping during the day, sleeping for as long as four to five hours at one time – and this may be repeated throughout the day (what a life). As a result, being active at night and exploring your furniture (and curtains) is perfectly natural. This kind of behaviour doesn’t mean your cat is ‘acting out’ or deliberately trying to deprive you of sleep – he’s just being a cat. However, if this behaviour is disruptive or destructive to the home (and your happiness), there are some steps you can take to bring their natural rhythm more in line with your own. Get active One of the things you can do is make sure your cat is more active during the day. Engaging toys, scratching posts, and outdoor spaces provide a world of possibilities for your cat to get active. Alternatively, spend some time engaging in purposeful play with your cat after supper, just before bed – as this will help them release some of that pent up energy and exercise their brain and body. The best case scenario is to try mimic your cat’s natural cycle – which is to eat, clean themselves and then sleep. As a result, it’s also important not to feed your cat too late, as this will give them the extra boost of energy that sees them running around while you try to get some sleep.   Photo by Michel Burdieri on Unsplash

Whether it’s an open suitcase, an old box, your brand new black shirt or your open laptop, cats seem to have a habit of sitting in or on whatever they can find. Why does my cat like to sit inside things? It’s all down to basic instincts. Most cats are looking for somewhere to hide when they sit in things. While your little house cat may never have experienced the wild, they are responding to a species-specific desire to see their environment and potential prey, without being seen. Think inside the box Allowing your cat to find new places to sit actually enhances their enjoyment of their home life. There’s no need to invest in expensive ‘cat caves’ – any old box will do. Even better – hide a toy in the box for your cat to find. What about electronics? This one has nothing to do with animal instincts. Instead, cats often sit on electronics like laptops, gaming consoles and keyboards for their warmth (just like the hood of your car). For some cats, it’s also about the images on the screen, which they find stimulating – even though they don’t receive the image and information in the same way humans do. If your cat sits on an electronic device you’re busy using, that’s less about the warmth and more about getting your attention. Make sure there are no dangling or exposed wires (and definitely don’t let them bite into them) so there’s no danger of your cat hurting themselves. As for them sitting on your clothes… invest in a lint roller.   Photo by Chewy on Unsplash