Cat Training
Simple Solutions to Behavior Issues

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There are several cat training techniques you can learn and apply toward your current needs. Here we will focus on everyday issues and situations that we experienced, and how these cat training techniques and simple solutions to behavior issues helped us.

Fist you need to identify the factors (such as, environmental and/or physical) that caused behavioral changes in your feline friend.

Your cat will try to tell you that something is not right with them by avoiding the litter box, meowing a lot, chewing cables, scratching areas never touched before, biting, etc. If your cat starts to show few symptoms at the same time, I would suggest you to try to address one problem at the time.

Like dogs, you can train your cat although cats have a strong personality, they will do things you want them to do but when they want to do it. So, you should always start with the issues that have most potential hazardous effects and move to less dangerous issues.

If your cat is meowing a lot, specially at night, he/she can be trying to tell you that something is not right, and that can be either physical or emotional, or both. Cat training rule #1 Be Patient.

Remember that, punishments doesn’t really work with cats, and you can end up even hurting your cat. Do not let your own stress and frustration lead you to any kind of animal mistreatment or abuse.

Listen to your cat and learn why he/she is meowing so intensively. Although, if after you address environmental issues (such as, adding a new litter box, new litter, different food, add moist food to your cat’s diet, fresh water daily, clean litter daily, additional play time, new toy, treat, cat grass, etc., your cat still meowing a lot you should take your feline friend to a veterinarian, this could be a sign of illness (consult a veterinarian for proper diagnosis).

Your cat may also start to show signs of aggression towards people or other pets in your house. If you have a kitten you should make sure that your kitten is properly trained.

You should always play with your kitten without aggression…if your kitten start to play ruff with you, make sure that you tell and show that his/her aggression hurt you (e.g., pretend you have a lot of pain, and cry a little bit…it worked for me. Today my two cats are really gentle when we play, and if things get a little tense I do the same, tell them that it caused me pain…it works every time!)

Cat’s aggression can also be based on fear, territorial and/or redirection aggression. Be sure to identify the cause of your cat's behavior or mood change in order to apply the right technique. If the cause is fear, try to keep your cat in a room away from the "danger", and remember, cats see simple things such as a repair man in your house as been in danger.

It is best to wait until the "danger" is gone and go where your cat is and in a calm voice start talking with your cat, bring a toy and treats. It worked for me, once they feel safe again they will get back to their older routine.

The same technique can be applied to situations where your cat or cats are showing aggressions based on being territorial and/or redirecting aggression. Sometimes we are so busy with our daily activities that we forget to pay attention to our feline friend, although they do not understand that, they will miss you and they can show that by aggressive actions towards you, other pets and your stuff. We learned that the solution is quite simple, be there for them! Take a few minutes a day and play, talk and show your love for your cat.

There will be other situations where your cat and/or kitten may start chewing your furniture and other household items, they are trying to tell you that they are feeling bored or even having a nutrition deficiency. You need to address this issue as soon as possible.

Remember, punishment and reprimands do not work, it can cause more issues than you already have. Instead, concentrate on making your relationship positive, rewarding and playful.

By following these simple cat training steps you are setting up your cat to succeed in performing the task you want them to learn and your cat feel rewarded for preforming them.

Keep it fun!

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