Some Tips To Help In Training Your Cat

Posted by Fred on March 22nd, 2008 at 01:38pm

By Chris Snow

There are a number of cat behaviors that may indicate your cat
has a problem that could require a trip to the veterinarian, or
they may just mean the cat needs some training.

A kitten that grinds its teeth could have an improper bite,
while an older cat that has started teeth-grinding behavior
would likely need to go to the vet to be examined for a medical
problem in its mouth, teeth, or gums. It may also help to change
the cat’s diet, since older cats often have problems chewing dry
food. You can switch to a softer or wet type of cat food.
Whenever you change your cat’s diet by adding wet food, be
careful and do it in small steps. Begin by mixing small amounts
of the new food with the usual food. Leave the dry food for the
rest of the meal, and let the cat eat the mixed food you
prepared first. Repeat this procedure until the cat has changed
over to the new food. Be sure to take the cat to the vet if you
suspect an underlying health problem.

If your cat is rubbing its hind end along the floor, it may not
have worms. You should examine its diet and physiology. If the
cat is eating its own hair, for example, it will pass through
the digestive tract and become uncomfortable to pass. If there
is long hair hanging out its bottom, the cat will scoot long the
floor to remove it. If the cat does really have worms, you
should take it to the vet for a de-worming and an examination.
It’s important to keep any cat well-groomed, but this is
essential for long-haired cats. Grooming will help with the
“floor-scooting” problem.

Cats that are too clingy and want attention all the time can be
very annoying. You can train your cat to stop this behavior,
however. Whenever its behavior annoys you, put it in a room by
itself. When it meows, spend a short time with the cat, playing.
When the cat no longer cries out at being left alone in the
room, reward it with a treat to let it know that this is
appropriate behavior.

If you get a new kitten, you must name it, of course. You
should train your cat to come when its name is called. Use a
simple name, and teach the cat to come when called by using a
clicker. It makes a sound that gets the cat’s attention.
Clickers can be found in pet stores and on the Internet. To
teach the cat to respond to its name, put the cat on your lap
and say its name, then click the clicker. The cat will respond
to the click. Keep repeating this, and give the cat a treat
whenever it responds. Bite-sized liver treats are good for this
training. Once the cat realizes that the name, the click, and
the treat are related, the next step is to reward the cat when
it responds to its name without the click. Soon the cat will
associate the treat with its name, and come when you call.

Whatever problem you may have with your cat, it can usually be
resolved with time, caring, and patience. Be sure to hug your
cat often. This ensures that both of you enjoy the relationship.

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Tags: Cat Behaviors, Cat Diet, Cat Food, Cat Kitten, Cat Vet, Chris Snow, Digestive Tract, Dry Food, Gums, Health Problem, Hind End, Long Hair, Long Haired Cats, Medical Problem, New Food, Small Steps, Training A Kitten, Veterinarian, Wet Food, Wet Type

Under Cat Care+ Cat Training