Simple Cat Training Tips
In the wild, cats have a natural ability and instinct to care for themselves. House cats, on the other hand, depend on humans for care and feeding. They require a considerable amount of attention. Bookstores and local humane societies can provide cat owners with a plethora of educational materials on the responsibility of cat ownership and the care of cats. Here are some tips for how to care for a cat.
Some people have the misperception that cat’s can’t be trained. That’s not true. Cats can be trained through gentle, positive reinforcement. Reward good behavior with a treat. Try to ignore bad behavior, if your cat’s bad behavior illicit a reaction from you that is attention, which the cat considers a reward.
Cats are very clean animals and like to spruce themselves up every day. It is still a good idea to bath your cat about once every three weeks. You can use a specialty cat product, but mild soap will work fine. Remember to keep the soap away from your cat’s eyes. Some cats are difficult to bathe, and you may find it takes a lot of effort and a little first aid. Train your cat to enjoy baths from the time they are a kitten and reward them after a bath with a treat. As they say, start out like you can hold out. You don’t want every bath to be a battle.
Try to keep going into the bathroom for a bath calm. If the only time you take your cat in the bathroom is for a bath, it is going to tense up when you pick it up and head for the bathroom. Allow the cat to enter the bathroom with you at other times so that it becomes just another room in the house. Then, when it is bath time, try to keep your cat calm and entertained.
Don’t forget to clean your cat’s ears and nails with a gentle q-tip. Towel dry your cat after its bath. Don’t even consider using a blow dryer. The noise and hot air will scare the cat, and the hot air can damage your cat’s sensitive skin. Brush your cat after the towel dry.
It’s a good idea to buy your cat its own bed. While it is common for cats to sleep with their owner, your cat will be just as satisfied sleeping beside your bed. This will keep your clothes and bed linens from always being full of cat hair. Some people are allergic to cat hair, and you don’t want to have to choose between your cat and your sleeping mate.
Keep the litter box where any odor will not disturb your family. No one wants to smell the litter box, so clean it often. The less you clean the litter box the worse it will be when you do clean it. Keep some of these tips in mind when it comes to choosing a pet for kids as well.
