Sunday, April 30, 2006

Cat Training devices

Cat Training Must-Haves

It is given that the cat is an adorable and lovable pet.  But if it starts to mess the house with all its litter, then it starts to annoy the heck out of an owner.  What to do?  Of course, cat training devices are there to solve this problem.  Remember that a cat is intelligent, therefore constant push from the owner and assistance from a training device can whip out a litter-free, sensible kitty.

Here are some of the cat training devices that can magically transform a misbehaved pet to an obedient one :

1. "The Potty-Cat" This quirky and cute-looking system is a magic of sorts as it has everything - a handy manual and the device that can train the cat without him knowing about it!   No more foul litter, just a smart-aleck of a cat!  Incredible and true !

2. "Pet Agree Training Device" What does it do?   Its ultrasonic system emits sounds that can easily catch the pet's attention.  With its built-in verbal orders, the cat is trained in an instant !

3. "SSSCAT" Because it combines the power of an aerosol can and a motion detector, the SSSCAT emits sound and the spray that can shoo the cat away from places where it is prohibited.

4. "Electrostatic Pet Scat Mat" The name sounds ominous but the "Electronic Pet Scat Mat" is pretty harmless. But that doesn't mean it is ineffective. The electrical pulse and the static electricity can keep the pet cat from messing around the sofas, windows and front yards.

5. "Pet Boundary Indoor Pet Barrier System" It keeps the cat away as it makes its own "unwanted zone" that can be as far as ten feet. The owner just has to place the transmitter to the collar and voila.

6. "Scarecrow Water Spraying Animal Repeller" Introducing the Scarecrow Water Spraying Animal Repeller which goes to water-spraying when it notices an intruder aka the pet cat.

7. "Tattle Tale Vibration Alarm Pet Trainer" Pets keep out!  That's what this device intends to warn the pet cats.  Advanced as it is with the structural vibration technology, the Tattle Tale is so sensitive it detects vibration right away even if there is no apparent movement.

8. "Cat Stop! Ultrasonic" Gardens and front yards will no longer welcome the cats, because of its high-quality motion sensor.

Cat training devices abound, the cat lover will never run out of alternatives on how to keep his cat from getting litter-crazy.

Friday, April 28, 2006

How to Correct a Cat in Cat Training

Punishing is the hardest part in training a pet especially with cat. There are many ways a trainer can punish the cat.  It can be through words, actions or something physical. However, there are things that need to be considered when punishing a cat during cat training.

1. Find the perfect time.  There is a perfect time a cat should be punished during training. A punishment will only be effective if delivered immediately after the cat has done something that is not desirable.
If the cat is punished later after the misbehavior, it will not be able to associate the punishment with the misbehavior.  Cats do not understand the same way people do.  That is why it is important to associate the undesired action to communication of the punishment.

2. Punishment does not mean that the trainer has to hurt the cat.  Cats are just animals and do not have a sense of what is right or wrong.  Punishing a cat by inflicting pain in their body is not right.
Aside from the fact that inflicting physical pain is against Animal Rights, the cat will only be provoked and might fight back.  It may only cause the trainer to be bitten by the cat. This will also result in making the cat become violent which may be very dangerous to kids and other people who may come close to it.

3. Other alternatives may also be used in correcting a cat.  One effective way is the reward and recognition method.  In the rewards and recognition, the cat is reinforced to continue a likable behavior because a reward is associated to it.
Rewards can be in the form of praises, petting, food or toys.  If a cat did something good that it was taught to do, the cat may be given rewards like food, a yarn toy, or a hug.  The trainer can immediately remove the rewards if something undesirable is done. The cat will then learn that the treats will be removed if the undesirable action is made again.

Training a cat, like any other pets, requires patience and understanding in order to be effective. Results may not be fast, but if one is consistent in training, results will be a lot faster. Cats are the sweetest pets one could have and it is only fair that they be treated the same.







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Wednesday, April 26, 2006

How to Deal with Feline Manners

Cats find security in their own territory.  They establish a special place where they can eat, sleep, and where they can hunt and play with their mates.  There are signs which cats use to mark their home base by spraying, leaving urine and feces, scratching, and even rubbing.  These marks provide vital information about their age, sex, and health, thus preventing any close encounters with rival cats.

Since cats have high regard for their territory.  They make sure that their little home bases are kept well tended so they will get a prospective mate’s attention.  Their being keen observers allows them to master each piece of furniture in the house.  They would love to be pampered, fed, bathed, and put to sleep in a routinely manner as to maintain anticipation in their minds.  Familiar situations make them aware of their activities for the day as well as the sequence of actions of their masters.  Once they’ve gotten used to the routine, they will surely give a reminder if someone forgets in the future.

Heard of any deep and long sleepers?  Yes, cats!  They can spend the whole 15 hours of the day just sleeping.  Believe it or not, an eight-year-old feline has only had his eyes open for less than three years.  They have three different categories of sleep:  the short nap, the long but brief sleep, and the deep full sleep.  They have a way of slipping in to a deep full sleep and alternating it with just a short nap.

Be aware that cats spend at least three to four hours of cleaning themselves when they are awake.  The sequence is as follows:

  • licking the lips

  • licking the sides of their paws

  • rubbing the head, the eyes, the ears, with the wet paw

  • licking the front shoulders and legs

  • licking the flanks

  • licking the genitals

  • licking the hinds

  • licking the tail

  • and lastly, the cat’s most awaited part, sleep.

Cats love to have their nap times in an area where they can actually have a bird’s eye view of what is going on around and below them.  In this way they can be quickly awakened if some unusual things happen from afar or beneath them.  Work hand in hand with the cat to develop their instincts.  Endow them with standard home bases where they can feel the security they need.

Create an environment that is suitable to their needs and wants.  It could be for their viewing pleasures or even just for resting.  This will give them the sense of feeling important and being cared for and that they are indeed part of household.

Tuesday, April 25, 2006

Kitten Training Tips

Tips for Training Kittens

Deciding to get a pet and keeping it indoors will take a lot of responsibility. Chores such as feeding the animal or giving it a bath are just one of the few things the owner will have to do but there is more. Since these pets are not yet trained how to behave, the person will have to devote a lot of time and effort to make this happen.  

The best time to train animals especially if one decides to keep it indoors is when it is still young and having kittens in the house is no exception. The good news about raising a cat is that it is easier to teach and maintain, unlike dogs that may require some assistance in a school.

The first thing that a person needs to know before getting a cat is learning about its behaviors. In general, these animals are very affectionate and are well behaved. When one notices certain changes in the mood of the cat, there is usually something wrong that can be corrected once the cause has been determined.

Here are some tips that can help a person train a kitten at home :

  1. Kittens need exercise. If this is not done in the form of toys for the animal to play with, it will become restless and could do damage to your home.

  2. Since kittens are not yet toilet trained, it is best to start by teaching it what to do with a litter box. The litter box should be big enough for the pet to enter and move around in. By adding newspaper and perhaps carpet, the animal will soon learn where to release waste when it is time.

  3. The claws of kittens are not that sharp yet compared to older cats. So that these creatures will not damage the furniture in the future, it is best to get a scratching pad and teaching it that this is the proper place to scratch.


Praising the kitten for doing a good job and feeding it as a reward will help in teaching the kitten how to behave inside the house. The owner should not shout or hit the kitten since this will make the animal fear the person and no amount of effort in teaching it will work after that experience.

Kittens are lovable animals and by spending some time daily with them and with a little patience, this will all pay off as one can finally see that the animal has been finally house trained.  




  







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Monday, April 24, 2006

How to have a happy cat

"Taking Care of Your Cat”

A healthy animal makes for a happy pet. If you are a cat owner and you want to make your pet happy, you need to make sure that your cat is groomed properly, fed on time and is given enough love and attention.

Here are some tips on how you can have a healthy and happy cat :

1. Take care of your cat's health.

As a pet owner, it is your responsibility to make sure that your cat is healthy and free from diseases that may even be transmitted to humans.

Visit the veterinarian if you notice that your cat has become lethargic or less active than usual.

If you see them 'shedding' excessively or has something unusual on their coat, immediately consult a professional.

Your cat might have a skin disease, or this could be a symptom of a sickness that you do not know about.

2. Groom your cat properly.

Cats are in the habit of grooming themselves. You will often see them using their tongue to clean their coat.

In spite of this, you should still do your part in grooming your cat if you want to keep them really clean.

Brush your cat's fur regularly. There are several short-haired cats that need minimal brushing. For this, you can use a comb with soft bristles.

There are also cat breeds which have long, silky furs and this variety needs a much longer grooming time.

Use a wide-toothed comb initially then brush up with a fine toothed one afterwards. You can also use talcum powder in order to separate the hair strands.

Make sure that you brush with gentle strokes so that their skin will not be hurt or scratched.

Cats are also not that fond of taking a bath. But there are times when your cat would need bathing.

This is when they have accumulated a lot of dirt on the skin and coat. Bathing will help eliminate ticks and lice.

Also, there might be substances that could cling on the fur which can be poisonous and it is important for them to bathe.

When bathing your pet, use a shampoo that is specially made for cats.
Prepare the following before bathing:

-a small tub or sink
-slip-proof mat
-water spray attachment
-clean, dry towels
-shampoo
-comb


Adjust the water temperature, then place your cat in the small tub or sink before filling it up with water. It is better to attach a sprayer in the faucet rather than pouring water directly onto its body. Apply a liberal amount of shampoo on the cat's body, and try to avoid the face, especially the eyes and ears.

After rinsing, towel them dry and comb the coat. Bathing time should build trust and create some quality time between you and your pet cat.

This should prevent your cat from making much of a fuss the next time it needs a bath.

Another part of grooming is keeping the eyes, teeth and ears clean. Also remember to keep the paws clean and the nails trimmed.


Go to a pet store and you are sure to find products specially made to clean these parts. You can also look for a nail trimmer specifically designed to use on your pet cat.

Ask a professional groomer or a veterinarian so that you can learn how to properly clean your cat's eyes, ears, teeth and nails.

3. Feed them on time.

Another aspect of keeping your cat happy and healthy is by feeding them well and on time.

Your feline friends can learn how to "stick" to a schedule with your guidance and training.

Make time in your busy day to feed them. You can learn which variety of cat food they prefer by serving different brands and variants.

Along with cat food, you should give them plenty of clean water to drink.

If you have a lot of pet cats, give them individual feeding plates.

If there is just one dish, other cats might not be fed well because dominant felines will take the most part of the food that you serve.

4. Shower them with love and attention.

By giving your cats your undivided attention while grooming and feeding them, you are already showering them with love and attention.

In addition to this, make their play time a lot more fun by appreciating the things that they do.

By following these tips, you are sure to have a healthy cat and be a contented owner.












Naming Your Cats Properly

Pet cats hold a very special place in the hearts of their owners.   Wouldn't it be nice to give a pet cat the loveliest name one can think of ?
Wouldn't it be great to give a pet cat a name that would reflect its personality as seen by the one who owns it or a name which would give recognition to the cat's breed ?  
There are actually a lot of names to choose from in books or in the internet.  But generally, how can an owner choose a name which he will find fit for his cat ?

Many cat owners name their pet cats with human names.   Actually, a whopping fifty percent of pet names are those of persons.  This primarily is because there are owners who are enamored with a certain name and actually desire to christen someone, or something for that matter, with that favorite name.

Another basis for names is personality or appearance.  In this category, examples are Midnight (should the pet be a black cat), Fluffy (obviously, if the cat is fluffy or has long, soft and bouncy coat) and Whitey (of course, if the cat is white).  Pet names based on appearances or personality make up an amazing twenty percent of all pet names. However, unlike human infants where the parents can opt to wait for a few weeks to see the baby's personality before naming the child, cats must be named more quickly.

So how does an owner actually name his pet cat ?  

Here are some tips which cat owners can give some thought.

First off, keep in mind that the name that the owner chooses for his pet cat will not only reflect the cat's character but also how the owner views his relationship with his pet cat. As much as it says a lot about the cat, the name given by the owner will tell much about the owner himself.   It can then be seen how the name can portray an image of the characteristics of the cat.  Many cat names give either a positive or negative impression of the cat.  So, it is important to choose a name which will best convey the proper image of the pet.

A cat's name is for keeps.  No matter which name the owner chooses, the cat's name should be that for the rest of his life.  It is absolutely not fair to change the cat's name every two weeks just because the owner finds another name he thinks he might prefer.   If the cat already recognizes the sound of its name it should not be changed.

Although the cat won’t mind any name its owner may wish to use, it is just not fair to give the cat an embarrassing name.  While the cat would not mind being named "Ooga Booga", it would be embarrassing for the owner to actually use this name. Imagine a person calling out "Ooga Booga" at least eight times a day every time he is looking for his cat. The cat's owner should find his pet a name which he will be proud to use.  Also please remember to pick a name which will be appropriate when your cat is full-grown.  A large tabby cat with a silly name like Mimi or Kitten seems ridiculous.

A name with two syllables will do best.  The response of animals is better to two-syllable names.  A cat owner may decide to give his pet a long name as well as a nick name.  However, the longer name inevitably would be shortened, and this would probably ruin the effect the cat owner originally sought.

The cat's breed heritage may provide great ideas for names.  For instance, if the cat owner owns a Siamese cat, why not name it Siam?  If the cat is a Russian Blue, it would be nice to give it a Russian-sounding or Russian inspired name such as Sofia or Chekov.

Speaking of inspiration, there are a lot of things out there from which you can gain inspiration.  As was said earlier, the name the owner gives his cat will speak just as much about himself.  So why not pick a name for the cat which is derived from the owner's likes, hobbies and favorites?  If the owner were passionate about world history, maybe the names Isis, Genghis, Voltaire or Osiris would sound very classy.  If the owner were an avid fan of the Greek mythology the names Zeus, Athena, Hercules or Jason would be sure to make a good first impression on other people.

On the more contemporary side, names of characters from favorite movies, cartoon series, TV programs or bands will do just as well. Huey, Louie and Duey would sound cute as well as Bonnie and Clyde. A more posh touch would be naming your cat after signature designers. Tommy, Donna, Karan, Calvin and Gianni would not sound so bad for cats--just as long as they are well groomed as their names imply. Naming cats is not the easiest task there is, honestly.  But it can be a lot of fun if these considerations and suggestions are always kept in mind.  Then no doubt, that perfect name will come easily. Wouldn't it be great for an owner to call his pet cat a name which is close to his heart and a name he will be proud to call out no matter what time of the day ?



Choosing the better Cat litter

Cat litters used in the olden days, meaning prior to the commercial cat litters now found in neighborhood grocery stores, are literally litters.  Usually these were dirt gathered from gardens.

Now, there are a variety of cat litters to choose from.  These cat litters, for the most part, are great for the cat as well as good for the environment.  
The following are tips and advice to make better a cat owner’s selection of the best litter possible for their cats.

Choose wisely

The choice of cat litters should primarily be based on how much this litter will affect the environment just as how much such litter is preferred by cats.  Although cats really do not care much about how the litter may soon end up in a landfill, cats really prefer if their litter has no bad scent.  They also care if the litter feels good.

Cats have a very keen sense of smell, so it is important that litters have little or no scents that are made artificially.  It is also best if the litter contains no dust.  It will do cats no good if their noses are irritated since they will try to avoid going thru the litter if it displeases them in any way.

Ask wisely

Cats love the feel of sand with pellets or any surface that has shreds and bits of chunks.  It is best that a cat owner know which kind his or her cat prefers.

But to further help a confused cat owner decide, questions such as the following should be best asked :

Is the cat litter easily flushed in the toilet?  Is it free from odors?  Does the litter contain any form of perfumes or chemicals?  Is the litter safe for the cat, the owner, the environment?  Does the cat like the feel of the litter?  How much does it cost and is it easily accessible ?  

Be aware

There are environment-friendly litters that are made from newspapers that are recycled.  These types of litters can be easily flushed, can easily be burned and are almost a hundred percent free from dust.

There are also litters that came from plants.  These litters usually come from corn – its husks, the cob and the corn itself.  Byproducts of wheat such as wheat grass are also a source of cat litter.

But the best among all of these are the corn cobs because they are odorless as well as it control odor.  It is absorbent as well.  They also do not produce a lot of dust and are easily flushed.

Litter from pine and sawdust

These types of litter are also biodegradable.  They are made by drying and compressing them into pellet-forms.  They absorb moisture a number of times more than their weight until they break down again into natural sawdust. Due to their easily absorbent nature, any odor is naturally eliminated.

Be wary though, pine has natural resins and chemicals that aid in the elimination of insects and odor-causing bacteria because of its insecticide-like properties.  This same feature could also cause respiratory damage as well as asthma and allergies.  Humans as well as cats may easily be susceptible to such allergens.

Do not be afraid of odor

Odor is one way by which nature tells the un-aware cat owner that it is time to replace the litter.  Cat litter should be regularly changed so that bacteria or micro-organisms will not collect in it.  If odor persists check the diet your cat is consuming as that may also be the cause.

Cats and Clay

Clay is the most common type of litter being used today.  A specific kind of clay made of sodium bentonite has a special feature that when it is urinated on by cats a clump is formed making it more convenient to remove the clumps from the litter.  However, such  clay is carcinogenic and is easily absorbed by the lungs of cats.

All in all, the choice depends on the cat owner’s preference, budget and favorites.  After all, cats are everyone’s best fuzzy, soft, cuddly and gentle meowing friends.


Thursday, April 20, 2006

Training Your Cat to Coexist with Your Dog

Tips for Your Cat and Dog to Coexist

The phrase “fighting like cats and dogs” didn’t come up as someone’s idea of a joke just for cartoons (Tom and Jerry comes into mind). Dogs are often territorial and will fight not just new cats but other new dogs as well. They tend to mark their territory and will fight anyone who invades their space. Cats have the same tendencies and even if they are smaller than to dogs, they will scratch and fight for their territory.

Most pet lovers who have both a cat and dog have a hard time making their pets coexist with each other. The usual response to this is separating the two pets and making sure they won’t meet. This is not really a practical solution to this problem as both pets tend to wander around the house and there will come a time when they will meet. This will also cause a lot of wasted time if you have to allot twice the time for playing with your pets. Another response would be to cage both pets but this method is frowned upon by most pet lovers. The best thing to do is to train both cat and dog to coexist peacefully. In this article is a series of steps to finding harmony between cats and dogs.

Perhaps the hardest thing for pet lovers to do is the introduction. Introducing a new pet requires both time and patience as both cats and dogs requires time to adjust to something new. Both cats and dogs take up to 30 days to adjust. It is even longer if you have older pet, but with proper retraining you can teach your old dogs and cat’s new tricks.

The first step is obedience. This is necessary especially for the dog which is usually the aggressor in this kind of situation. You have to train your dog to obey when you say “no”. This can be done by showing him some treat and every time he looks at it you say “no” you stop him from eating it. Do this every day and reward him every time he obeys.

While doing this with your dog, make sure the cat and dog  are isolated from each other, allowing your cat to wander around the house. Cats love to roam and this will make her scent scattered in your home. After doing this, lock your cat in one room and let your dog wander around the house sniffing for the cat’s scent. This will make your dog acquainted to your cats smell and train the dog that the cat is part of the household.

Once you’ve done this for about a week, it’s time for them to see each other physically. This part requires that you have someone to help you. Have someone who can hold your cat safely and that knows how to react quickly and get your cat to safety if the dog is showing aggressiveness. Your part is to be able to restrain your dog and making sure that if he starts lunging for your cat, you’ll be there to stop him.

Dogs usually start barking whenever they see some other animals in their territory, hoping to scare them away. They won’t really lunge at something immediately. Once he starts barking, this is where the obedience part starts to come in. Say “no” and make him realize that the cat is also a pet.

If your dog starts to calm down when in the presence of the cat, then it’s the time to let him sniff the cat. Once your dog starts to decide not to bark at your cat you know that you’ve done the introduction part successfully.

The final step is making sure that both pets have the time to coexist. This part is usually the cat’s fault. Cats have the tendency to be aloof and stay away from the dog and other people. It’s not because they are afraid of the dog but more because it’s their nature to be alone. Be sure that your dog sees your cat as often as possible. You can allot some time nightly where you can do some activities with both your cat and dog. This will allow them to play with each other and you’ll have the confidence that they won’t start fighting when they’re unsupervised.





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Wednesday, April 19, 2006

How to Crate-Train Your Cat

Pet Lovers: How to Crate-Train Your Cat

Taking care of a cat can both be a rewarding and frustrating experience.

The rewarding part is coming home to a cute, furry little creature whose antics can bring a smile to your face.

The frustrating part is trying to house-train and litter train them.

You can get over the frustrating part by starting them young.

Once you have a  kitten that you plan to take home as a pet, you may start house-training them.  Crate training is one of the most effective ways to do this.

Cats can be your best friend for life if you just care for them properly.

If you will train them at a young age, they will learn to follow "house rules" and not litter on your bed or scratch your furniture with their claws.

A cat needs proper care, time and attention.  Here are some tips on how you can use crate-training work to your advantage:

1. Remember that crate training will take some time.

You need all the time and patience that you can muster as a cat owner to fully train a cat. This is why you have to start out while they are young.

Familiarize them with what they can and cannot do using the crate.

If you take your cat along with you when you travel and you are in a place where pets are not allowed to roam around freely, put them in a crate.

This would let your cat know that being outside is not that safe, so your pet will be content to stay inside the crate.

2. Select the perfect crate for your feline friend.

There are some materials that cats love to scratch with their claws.  This would make the time that they spend in the crate more bearable despite being confined.

There are metal and plastic crates that your cat can fit into.  Make sure that it can move freely when inside.  Also, you can put your cat's favorite toy in the crate, like a ball of yarn or a small stuffed toy.

3. Crate-train your pet cat slowly, but surely.

Start by spending time with them while inside the crate.  Then you can introduce your cat to eating food inside the crate.  Do not worry if they do not respond positively the first time, as they will get used to it eventually.

Later on, they will learn to spend time in the crate when you are not at home or during the night.

The key here is to not let your cat feel frustrated inside the crate and spend enough time with them to make them feel loved and cared for.

Tuesday, April 18, 2006

Selecting Cat Toys

Toys for girl cats and boys

When the mouse is away, cats play.  And cats have the tendency to both play hard and play soft.  Toys are to cats the same as toys are to dogs.  It helps fight the boredom experienced by these pets as well as gives our feline friends the opportunity to practice and use their natural inclination to chase and hunt for prey. It also gives the cat owner that great chance to play with their pets, an experience that will aid in bonding their relationship.

But what toys are best for cats?  The following are tips and helpful advice to get that perfect toy for the cat owners perfect pets.

Play safe

The good thing about cats is that they can play ball inside the house and the owners will never know it.  Still, there may be things inside the house that cats could find attractive yet might actually endanger their health and safety.  Houses must be cat-friendly.  As much as possible, take away any string, yarn, needles, rubber bands or other objects that could easily be swallowed by cats.  These things could be lethal to cats.  Do not let them play with these articles no matter how cute they may appear to be.

Play soft

Choose soft toys that can easily be machine-washed.  It is best that the toys chosen to be played with by cats are also the toys marked as safe to be played with by children below three years old.  Toys such as these usually contain fillings that are not hazardous.  Also, avoid giving cats toys that are hard and rigid, these types do not appeal to them that much.  

Know your cat, know their toy

It is best that one also familiarize themselves with your cat.  Doing so helps in ones selection of the kind of plaything that best serves the size of ones cat - the kind of activity the cat likes and its unique preferences.  Know the environment in which the cat likes to spend its time the most.  

Choose active toys

Toys that are great to play with for cats are usually the round plastic ones (such as rings from shower curtains, plastic balls, golf balls, balls used in ping-pong) as these give cats the opportunity to chase and paw around.  They could also carry these in their mouths, make sure though that these are big enough they cannot be swallowed but not so large that they cannot carry them in their mouths.  

Choose active play

Balls can be placed inside bath tubs filled with water.  Watch as cats frolic and play on and around the toy.  It is just as enjoyable to the cat as it is fun for the cat owner.  Another added feature that could be placed on balls are bells.  One not only sees how cats play, one could also listen and take pleasure in the playful sound.

Another simple yet effective plaything for cats is a paper bag.   Use paper bags that do not have handles.  These bags are good for pouncing around.  Cats hide in them too.  As much as possible, avoid the plastic ones as cats have the tendency to chew these and  they may eat the plastic.  This is not good.  

Toys with tails

Cats like playing with soft toy animals - specially the ones that have tails.  They either  bite them, paw them or chase these little stuffed toys around.   It is best if these toys are as big or as small as the cats playing them.  

Toys with catnip

Catnip is sometimes used as stuffing for toys that are soft.  Putting catnip in such playthings make the toys more enjoyable to carry, kick and throw around.  More importantly, it is safe for cats to chew on, roll around in, or eat.
It is okay for owners to place catnip on carpeted floors, or (to make clean-up easy) on towels.  There are now catnip oils that can be placed on carpets, and they usually stay there.  Cats detect these too.  Although small cats, specifically kittens who are younger than six months have shown a certain kind of immunity to catnip.

All in all, it is best that cat owners define what kind of toy should be played by their cats.  It is advisable that different kinds of toys be given on certain days, and that displaying all toys simultaneously may not be a good idea.  Cats can easily tire of seeing the same fluffy toy animal again and again.  Variety always works best.  However if cats show a certain liking to a specific toy, let them play with it, or sleep with it - whichever they like.


Monday, April 17, 2006

Cat Training Aids

Proper Training Aids and Good Cats

Should a cat attend obedience classes?  Actually, there is no need to. Cats can develop good behavior with the proper training aids.

Cat Training Aids

Food Tray
The cat must be taught to eat only in their food trays to avoid begging constantly or having them steal food from the dining table.  These must be situated far from the dinner table.  It will also help to feed the cat before dinner.  They sleep after they eat.

Scratching Posts
It is part of the nature of the cat to claw, however this should not be tolerated.  It can be very damaging to the furniture.  This can be easily resolved by providing scratching posts for cats to claw on instead of the furniture.

Repellent
Liquid repellent can also be used to keep cats from scratching on certain furniture.  The taste of such repellents is so terrible that the cat will learn to stop from scratching eventually.

Yarns and Balls
Cats also need exercise.  They are generally playful.  Kittens like to play with just anything.  To avoid having them tinker with delicate things, it is good to give them yarns or soft balls to play with.  Older cats can be trained to use harmless leads.

Treats
Cats can be taught tricks.  They can be taught to shake hands or fetch something. However, to properly train cats, it is important to give them rewards when they successfully accomplished a task.  Treats are good rewards.

Litter Trays
One of the drawbacks of keeping a cat indoors is dealing with their dirt.  Litter trays will come in handy at this point.  This is a must in toilet training an indoor cat.

Water Spray
Fighting with other cats and caterwauling are also problematic cat situations.  Spraying the cats with water when they do these things will eventually keep them from doing them. The water spray is a helpful deterrent for other bad behaviors.

Cat Grass
Plant eating is also a habit of the cats.  They do this to induce vomiting and sometimes just out of curiosity.  Cat grass is a good substitute to keep your plants safe.

Nesting Spot
Cats enjoy going to elevated spots to see more.  It is their way of seeking company.  To keep them from jumping on furniture, it is best to get a nesting spot.  This should elevated and comfortable.  Rub a treat into the spot to attract the cat.

Training the cat with these aids will still require patience and consistency.  Still, this is worth all the efforts. The good behavior of the cat is reward enough.



Wednesday, April 12, 2006

Choose A Litter Box for Your Cat

Finding the Right Litter Box for the Cat

Before bringing home a cat for a pet, one should do some research on what items are needed to make this feline friend of yours feel comfortable indoors.

Since such pets are not yet toilet trained, it is important to get a litter box to train the cat on where to go when nature calls.  Doing this will save the person time and effort cleaning up the waste the creature has left in various places of one’s home.

To make this happen, choosing the right litter box for the cat is important.  This depends on the size of the cat and if the pet finds it spacious inside.  Since the litter box is the toilet for the pet, this should be easily accessible both for going in and out of the box.

One can buy a litter box that can easily be cleaned from time to time.  This can be found in the internet or at the local pet store that will cost twenty-five dollars and above.  The price depends on the kind of material that is used in making the box- whether it is plastic or another kind of non-absorbent material.

If the person is too lazy to clean it, there is an electronic version that will cost more than a hundred dollars.  Should the person decide not to buy either of the two and would prefer to use a disposable kind, one can use a soda box which should also be changed.

The litter box must have fillers making it easy for the person to clean.  This is needed to prevent odors from staying inside the box that can produce bacteria causing the cat to get sick.

In order for the cat to have some privacy, it is best to choose a litter box that can have a cover on top.  This will make it warm and comfortable for the cat when it is time to go to the toilet.

There are many types of litter boxes available from the small versions for the kittens to the big ones for the full grown cats.  With the many types of fillers available, one should choose the best that will be comfortable for the pet.

Should the person have a hard time choosing the right litter box, one can ask the sales person in the pet store or ask people who have cats for advice.






Tuesday, April 11, 2006

Cat Toilet Training Tips

Cat Toilet Training : Make the Cat More Loveable

Cats are very lovable creatures.  They are tame, cuddly and are indeed beautiful.  Most cat owners want them to be indoors, to keep them safe and clean always.  However, keeping cats indoors poses the problem of dealing with their wastes.  Thus it is necessary to toilet train the cat.

Toilet Training Essentials

1. Cats should be trained early on.  It should start when the kitten is around 8 weeks old.
2. Before starting with the toilet training, make sure that the cat already responds to its name.  This will be very helpful in responding to the behavior of the cat.
3. Cats generally are not difficult to toilet train.  For one, they have the instinct already to bury their wastes.  Thus all that is needed is to provide a litter tray.

This can be bought in pet shops.  A litter tray usually is made of plastic or enamel.  The container should be filled with soil, sand, sawdust or commercial cat litters.

4. Generally, a kitten that is raised together with a mother that uses the litter tray will learn to use the tray itself eventually.
5. For kittens or cats that still have to be trained, it is best to acquaint them with the litter tray.  The cat should be placed inside the tray after being fed, after play or when it wakes up.
6. Make sure that the litter tray is placed in a quiet and secluded place.  Cats would not like to be seen when they use the litter tray.
7. When the cat uses the litter tray, make sure that you praise it for the good behavior.

The best way to praise the cat is to pet it or pat it on its head.  Food rewards are also good tools to praise the cat.

8. However, a cat or kitten being trained that failed to make use of the litter tray should be reprimanded.  The cat must be corrected immediately.  A loud and sharp "no" or squirting the cat with water are the usual ways to reprimand the cat.  Never use physical punishment. It is not a good practice. It also affects the relationship of the cat to the owners.

The cat has to be constantly praised or reprimanded for its toilet behavior until it finally learns to go to the litter tray by itself.

Owning a toilet trained cat can be very rewarding. Attention and consistent effort will be greatly needed at the toilet training stage. Just be patient always.





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Monday, April 10, 2006

Cat Care While Training

Cat Training:  Do It With Gentle Care

Cats are trained and encouraged by treats or rewards.  A clear illustration of such behavior is when cats come running when it hears the food bag rustle or the can opener’s sound.  Cats often relate the sounds to food rewards.

Keep in mind that your cat must be closely examined on a regular basis by the veterinarian, to ensure that there are no unknown problems in your cat’s health that could be aggravated or intensified during training activities.

To further encourage your cat to maintain a good behavior, the most effective way is to offer immediate treats, a full tasty meal, or a favorite toy as rewards.

When saying “good” and offering a treat all together, your cat will later relate the word with its positive act, even if later, food is not available and upcoming.  In place of food rewards, you can give your cat an enjoyable playtime or a rub behind its ears.

With the use of positive emphasis and reinforcement, your cat will be willing to learn good behaviors and basic instructions or commands.

Here are training guidelines:

  1. It is best to begin training with kittens.  They will be more open and responsive to training.  Bad behaviors have not yet been formed and not given a chance to develop.

  2. Confine the training to indoors.  This is essential so that your cat will not be distracted by other neighboring pets or be attracted to climbing trees instead.  

  3. Limit the training time.  Make it brief but frequent.  Cats normally have short attention and interest spans; so it is much more effective to have four to six sessions of five minutes each, during the course of the day than an hour or two of continuous training.  

  4. Use positive emphasis and reinforcement at all times.  A gentle hug, caress, or a whisper has a longer lasting effect than harsh or bitter words.

Discipline should be instilled for a well behaved cat, but tough punishment must be avoided.  In training your cat so to avoid negative acts, you need to approach it positively. Cats generally will not respond to certain punishments like hitting or yelling. They usually correlate the undesirable act with you rather than with their bad behavior. The outcome will be that your pet either stops loving you or will be afraid of you; not the result that will lead to a loving and warm relationship with your wonderful pet cat!








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Wednesday, April 5, 2006

Clicker Training Cats

Clicker Training Cats:  Easy and Effective

Clicker training incorporates the use of a clicker as a reward or encouragement when training a cat.  

Cats are able to relate with the clicker, displaying good actions and behavior. Clicker training is often linked with conventional condition, where cats associate sound with food and operational condition and where cats execute movements for food.

A clicker is found to be more effective than verbal command because cats can hear clicker sounds more clearly than a voice, as human voice tones change while the clicker sound is always steady or constant.

The click is brief and concise, whereas a voice, phrase or a word, is fairly long in cats' point of standing. To say “good boy” will take time than a click.

With the use of a clicker, cats can be successfully trained in three simple steps: obtaining the cats behavior, marking its behavior, and reinforcing its behavior.

Guidelines when training with a clicker:

  1. To make a sound, push the clicker’s spring end and then release.  Treat the cat.

  2. When you notice a behavior that you want your cat to continue on doing, click during while the behavior is being performed, never after it.

  3. Click only once, to express enthusiasm towards the act of your cat and add more treats.

  4. Note that practice periods should be short.  More can be learned in three brief five minute sessions per day than hours of boring and stressful repetition.

  5. Correct bad acts by ignoring and clicking when good behavior is displayed.  Click when your kitten uses the litter box or when it plays on the scratch post, not on the furniture.

  6. Click for accidental and voluntary actions nearing your objective.  You should entice the cat into a position, but never pull or push it or hold it.

  7. Never wait until your cat performs the perfect act that you told it to do, instead click and reward for little actions towards the correct direction.  When your cat is signaled to sit and it crouches in its back, click.

  8. Carry the clicker at all times when you are with your cat, so you can catch good acts.

  9. Make sure to put aside the clicker when you are scolding your cat.

The non-confrontational character of a clicker makes it an ideal tool for training your cat.

You too, can be happy with the results, having achieved all positive behaviors that you worked for with your cat.  With lots of understanding, love, and patience, cat clicker training will continue to give you wonderful results that you and your cat will benefit from for years to come.







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