Feline Querries and Responses on Cat Training and Cat Behavior
By randomguy. Filed in Random |
Q: Can cat behavior be modified by training?
A: Yes, training a cat is not as hard as many cat people consider it is. Cats are not as amenable to training as Champ or Rover are but they are trainable. Tasty treats offered as positive reinforcement is certainly the most certain route to train your cat.
Q: Why and how do cats purr?
A: Adult kitties purr because they are happy and contented and to manipulate humans -- Who can ignore a purring kitty? Kittens purr in answer to their mother cat's purr to help bond them. It is mostly believed that the purring is a vibration of the voice-box as air is pushed though it. It is also believed that purring is a voluntary action.
Q: Why are the reasons certain individuals are allergic to cats?
A: Cat allergies are caused by the proteins in cat dander generated from the cat's saliva. The dander dries and becomes airborne. People with cat allergies develop an allergic reaction because their immune system is beginning to attack the enemy protein and creates histamines.
Q: How do you change unwanted cat behavior like nipping?
A: The best way to curtail unwanted cat behavior is the same way the mother cat controls an errant kitten. This is by scuffing the cat. You firmly but gently grasp the cat by the scruff of the neck and hold it down until it calms down. You need to do this at the time of the unwanted behavior.
Q: How do you litter train a cat?
A: You really shouldn't need to do any training for a cat to use a litter pan, but if your adult cat has begun to avoid the litter pan you need to figure out why. The cat may have a urinary tract infection in which case you need to visit the vet. If it is just too dirty you need to keep it cleaner. If you have changed litter you may have to change back or sprinkle a little catnip in the litter to attract the cat to the new litter.
Q: How do you keep cats off the kitchen table?
A: This is one of the most asked about cat behavior issues and can be a difficult one. Cats like elevated platforms and they often find food or food smells on counters and tables. It is best to keep the surfaces clean and to use something like foil or double sided tape to keep cats off the counters.