It is a common myth that cats can’t be trained. Here are some tips for training your cat!
It is commonly said that cats aren’t able to be trained. This is because they are instinctive creatures and a lot of their behaviors are natural. Unlike dogs, it can prove very difficult to get your cat to sit, stay, and roll over. However, it is not true that they can’t be trained at all. You can condition your cat to behave a certain way or refrain from certain behaviors. Here are some tips for training your cat.
Litter Box Training
Training your cat to use their litter box typically isn’t that hard because they are clean animals and naturally want to bury their waste. To get your cat used to using a litter box, you want to keep your cat and a litter box in a confined room for the first couple of days that you have your new cat (with food and water of course). Some cats may automatically use the litter box, while others may need a little coaxing. If they go outside of it, it can be helpful to place their droppings into the litter box. Having the scent in the litter box will typically encourage them to use it.
Behavior Training
If your cat is displaying some behavioral issues, it is important to figure out why they are doing it. Most of the time, it is an instinct such as scratching, but instead of using a scratching post, they’d rather use your couch. While you can’t train your cat to stop their instinctive behaviors, you can train them to use the appropriate items to do so. When training your cat, use positive reinforcement rather than punishment because cats don’t understand why they are being punished. When they scratch your furniture, pick them up and place them in front of a scratching post and praise them with a treat when they use it.
Aggression
There is nothing wrong with your cat playing, but sometimes they can play too rough and start to bite or scratch you. You want to discourage this behavior so that they don’t inflict injury every time they play with you. Once your cat starts scratching or biting you during play, you want to make a loud noise to startle them. Whether it be the “psst” sound or just clapping your hands, they will likely stop what they are doing. Follow up by walking away to show them that aggressive behavior leads to an end in playtime.
Contact Catonsville Cat Clinic Today!
For 20 years, the Catonsville Cat Clinic has been providing quality veterinary care to the cats of Catonsville and beyond! Dr. Pam Nesbitt, who purchased the practice in July of 2011, runs the Catonsville Cat Clinic with compassion in mind. A team of professionals with an advanced level of veterinary medicine is at your service to make sure your cat is healthy and happy. So stop on by; we’d love to get to know you and your cat!
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