how to discipline a cat

10 Dec how to discipline a cat

Never pick up an aggressive cat because he may bite you. LET’S BE HONEST- Most people want a quick method to deter their pet away from doing a bad behavior. Well-timed squirts of water can be an effective way to discipline a cat. It is also not a good idea to get physical with your cat, which means not hitting or smacking them, even lightly. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Avoid yelling, but use a special tone of voice to correct bad behavior so your kitty learns to recognize it. As you’ve probably guessed, training a cat takes a bit more time and patience than training a dog. You should always use positive reinforcement and patience to train your kitty. Playtime? Correcting bad behavior using tactics like double-sided tape, spray bottles, and loud sounds will deter your cat from exhibiting certain behaviors without making you the punisher. "We have to offer instruction. How to Discipline a Cat the Right Way. If your cat is engaged in a negative behavior, don’t provide him with the attention he craves. OK, so maybe that’s a bit of a stretch! You can discipline her by clapping your hands. Whenever possible, give treats, praise, and attention to your cat if it is behaving nicely. % of people told us that this article helped them. "As a new cat owner (after having had dogs for 30 years), I rescued a kitty from a shelter and I had a lot of, "This article was very helpful. Failing to discipline your cat appropriately won’t only prevent you from correcting the behavior, but could also lead to even … You may have to try one or more disciplinary methods before you find one that works best on your cat, it also may depend on the type of behavior they’re exhibiting like cat urinating in the house. Discipline a cats is not easy, but discipline … You need to modify your behavior management approach. You might glance at Yaһoo’s home pɑge and watch how they create post titles to get viewers to opеn the links. Strongly suggest you Google him & learn his methods. Speaking to your cat in a soothing voice, petting him, or letting him cuddle with you can help let him know that you appreciate what he's doing. Support wikiHow by This method is best used when kitty is doing something like climbing curtains, eating plants or jumping on countertops. For A Healthy Cat: Play Therapy . "When I hear the word discipline I think of punishing," Woodard says. What if I throw a cat out of a room? You should always use positive reinforcement and patience to train your kitty. That said, your goal is to train your cat to sharpen her claws on acceptable objects and not on your furniture. For effect, add his name to your complaint, such as saying "Bad Spike!" Tip #1 Response Consistently. If you catch your cat … Now click the clicker, and tell your cat to do as you desired, if it performs the required action give her treat. As long as you answered ‘how to discipline a cat’, everything will be fine. How to stop a cat from scratching. ", have just the right steps to make my life and my my cat's life much better. You can also remove him from the room after grabbing scruff of his neck. He will associate that surface with danger or unpleasantness and won’t jump up after a few encounters with the booby trap. It is always easy to discipline a dog than to impart discipline lessons to your kitty. Home  |  Contact  |  About  |  Privacy Policy & Disclaimer  |  Terms and Conditions  |   Legal Disclaimer  |  Cookie Policy  |  Sitemap. I work from home six times a week. For me this is a far better way to proceed. If you’re wondering how to discipline a cat without going completely crazy in the process, read on. The goal is to avoid the common mistakes of many pet owners. You should know that when you try to discipline your cat, you cannot do things that you think as punishment such as hitting or hurting them in any way.Do cat understand punishment? 3. Instead it may use a tree , fence, or similar to scratch. In summary, If you are a cat owner, don’t worry about their bad behavior. ", "I swatted at my kitten and did not know it was the wrong way to discipline her after she bit me repeatedly. Cats are very receptive to training, especially with the use of treats. Did you know you can read expert answers for this article? There may be other times when your cat can drive you crazy, but any attempt at disciplining him falls flat. If you are just acquiring a cat, give him lots of attention. But be sure to invest in some sort of scratching board for your cat. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. ‘Howto discipline a cat’ and ‘how to discipline a kitten’ Are there any difference? While your cat may be independent, she still does want a loving relationship with you. But now and then he’s a little demon. The Answer May Surprise You, Head Pressing in Cats: 3 Surprising Reasons Your Cat Head Presses. The principle is simple: cause and consequences. It is always easy to discipline a dog than to impart discipline lessons to your kitty. Cats are independent animals and like to live life on their own terms. Cat discipline issues can drive a wedge between an owner and feline. We’d love to hear your ideas! … There is no doubt that you really love your furry friend, your cat! Even if you take its favorite toy, that doesn’t make any sense to it. I can think of only two things that might be described as bad cat behaviour: jumping up onto the kitchen counter and scratching sofas. Blowing in the face is my personal favorite as it is a gentle way to say, “NO,” and it is a quick and easy method and always readily available. Understanding Cat Behavior for Effective Discipline. 5 Ways To Discipline A Maine Coon Cat. A cat can never understand “discipline” or “punishment”. Understanding Cat Behavior for Effective Discipline. When it comes to effective cat discipline training, it’s all about withholding attention in order to create a negative experience. If you are bitten, contact your physician immediately. Contents. If your cat is engaged in a negative behavior, don’t provide him with the attention he craves. If you answered “yes,” sorry folks, this is not a good way to let your furry friend know they’re doing something wrong. If you know how to discipline a cat, you will never have any serious issues with your cat’s behavior. When Does a Kitten Become a Cat? ‘Howto discipline a cat’ and ‘how to discipline a kitten’ Are there any difference? It... Scruffing should not be used as punishment. Don't be too loud or harsh. This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. I don’t ever remember living without a cat and I have dedicated my adult life to making sure my cats stay healthy and happy, and trying to understand their behavior patterns. Do not provoke your cat in any way. in a particularly harsh, even tone. It’s something you cannot completely take out of your cats. Dogs are eager to please their masters, and cats – well, they don’t worry about whether you’re pleased with them or not! Holding your cat by the scruff for 30-60 seconds doesn’t mean that you should hiss non-stop in the meantime. Soak a cotton ball or pad with these scents to keep your cat away from unwanted areas. If your cat’s behaviour is intolerable and includes things like climbing on countertops, biting you or even bringing dead animals into the house as gifts for you then may be wondering if there is any way you can discipline them.. Well, there are many ways to train or discipline a cat that can be very handy when your cat is making a mess. If the response from your cat is negative, you will have to opt for other methods to discipline your pet. As long as you answered ‘how to discipline a cat’, everything will be fine. Never strike a cat if he doesn’t do what you want him to do. A lot of times a spraying bottle of water is a great way to discipline your cat. Cat bites can turn into dangerous infections. Learn to change bad “catlike” behaviors by teaching new ones through positive reinforcement. How to discipline a cat. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. My Cat Training says repetition is key, so remember to continue this cat discipline plan and you’re cat should start getting the hang of it! She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. 1.0.1 1.) It’s important to do this from behind so they don’t see that the spray is coming from you; otherwise, they may become fearful or distrustful of you. Instead, completely ignore him. If a cat starts to act out, and training is unsuccessful, some form of discipline may be required. Is that okay? If you find your cat … This will prevent him from scratching your furniture, the walls, or other objects he shouldn't. Fluffy needs to associate good cat’s behavior with nice outcomes, and the bad one with undesirable results. Even when he is being bad, he can be so cute and cuddly that you don’t want to yell at him or tell him he is doing wrong. I adopt out A LOT of kittens and I teach the new adopter during the adoption process how to use different tactics such as implanting a spray bottle, blowing in the cats face, , or making a loud noise such as “clapping” (all of these tactics are done after a stern “NO” is given). Use a water spray. Training a cat takes a lot of patience, especially since it is so hard to motivate him. Pippa Elliott, a licensed veterinarian, explains: "Showing you love your cat also means meeting all their basic feline needs. You need to consider the reasons why they are biting and respond accordingly to their needs. Why doesn't he hate me like everyone says he will? I have a kitten we have decided to keep, and he has learned a lot of bad biting habits from his brother who is a dog. Tape: Cats hate weird textures and sticky things—tape especially. Consider Water Aversion or Other Sprays. Be firm and consistent with your techniques for the best results! You may even ask yourself, “do I own my cat, or does my cat own me?" An eager or hungry cat may hit that chair so hard it slides halfway across the kitchen, but still the cat is where you want it, not on the table. Your cat will come to love and respect you if you treat him with love, kindness and affection. It is possible that in severe cases, these methods won’t work. Neither will getting angry at a cat hours after a bad behavior has occurred. Learn how to discipline your cat by following these simple tips. Check out the tips below on how to discipline a cat so that you can take the right course of action when your kitty misbehaves. In such extreme circumstances, Follow the instructions: Visit the Vet: Give a full medical check-up to your cat … You will need to first work on gaining his trust before attempting discipline. Gently put a cat out of room and that's fine, it will know it has been excluded for a time. Landsberg, W. L. Hunthausen and L. J. Ackerman. If the cat abides by rules of the house, that is fine. Scratching and Clawing Kittens and cats should keep their claws and they need to scratch to keep their claws healthy. Five methods you can use to discipline your cat. Cats are what we might call customary animals and, once they are comfortable at home, they rarely act differently unless they have some motive. This article has been viewed 534,496 times. Welcome to Meowkai. If your cat always uses soft paws, praise him or just say good mouth or good paws. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. Cat discipline issues can drive a wedge between an owner and feline. It is the way to teach them without complications. Here are five methods you can use to train/discipline your cat: When you catch your kitty doing something naughty, lightly spray them with some water, either from a water bottle or water gun. At least 75 percent of kitten or cat discipline involves troubleshooting to discover the reason for the undesirable behavior and then correcting the situations that caused it. An aggressive cat will need to be evaluated by an animal behaviorist so you don’t get hurt when attempting to discipline the cat. Thank you so much! It is his natural instinct to sharpen his claws. If you notice it lying next to something it used to chew, reward it. It’s important to keep the time-out short, and make sure the cat has something to entertain himself with, such as a cat toy or scratching post. What I need to know is how to discipline a cat, and beyond that I’d like to understand why he’s behaving badly, and if there’s a way to prevent it. If you're the only owner the kitty has ever had, then you can exert more influence over his actions. Your cat is showing you how much he enjoys your company when you are working at home. A lot of OTHER tactics require someone to get up, move the cat to another room “Time-out method”, or run and grab a toy to re-direct them. Water spraying and booby traps make for a nervous timid cat. You migһt try adding a video or a related picture or two to get people interested about whɑt you’ve got to say. The goal is to avoid the common mistakes of many pet owners. Even if you take its favorite toy, that doesn’t make any sense to it. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Never pick a cat up by the scruff. The Facts You Need to Know, Why Does My Cat Follow Me? How to Discipline a Cat the Right Way. The most important tip to remember in learning how to discipline a cat is to spend time, engage with her, and praise her good behaviors. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. To discipline a cat you first need a method, and of course, you’ve done your research and you don’t know where to start. Edited by Julie Shaw and Debbie Martin. and hunt (even if it's toys). By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. But honestly, I’m not sure if there is actually a way to ‘discipline’ a cat as much as … SO TEACH PEOPLE A QUICK AND SIMPLE METHOD! This is essentially letting him know that he’s been given a time out. You might want to learn how to discipline a cat if they behave badly without hurting them and stop them from becoming naughty once again. How To Discipline A Cat Chewing on cables, books, or even furniture. To discipline a cat, identify its key motivator, which is typically a delicious food or treat, and use it to reward good behavior. I disagree with Sarah’s comment. This article has been viewed 534,496 times. Keep to the same time every day so he knows that is the time when he has you all to himself. There are several different disciplinary methods you can try and you might need to try more than one before you find one that works for your cat. If they follow keep walking away. For a demo: If your cat is in a certain room doing something it shouldn’t, try picking him out and gently placing him outside of the room; or, you can put him in his own contained space for a few minutes. Cat is a lovely pet. Check out Jackson’s words of wisdom on best training practices. 2. When it comes to effective cat discipline training, it’s all about withholding attention in order to create a negative experience. If the cat abides by rules of the house, that is fine. The cat discipline which works best to stop this behavior is: Don't yell out (difficult I know, but a must, as yelling is a positive reaction) Walk away from them immediately. While some are really independent, there’s a way on how to discipline a cat. While some are really independent, there’s a way on how to discipline a cat. Whenever possible, give treats, praise, and attention to your cat if it is behaving nicely. Other scents they don’t like include citronella, eucalyptus, wintergreen, aloe and perfumes. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. When trying to discipline your pet, you need to understand how you pet is going to react. Some people think aversion therapy does not work on cats, but it can be effective, depending on your cat. How to discipline a cat. The cat discipline which works best to stop this behavior is: Don't yell out (difficult I know, but a must, as yelling is a positive reaction) Walk away from them immediately. If you can’t get to the root of the problem, ask your vet for advice. Set a booby trap by piling up boxes or light objects, so that when your cat jumps, he will knock over the objects, thus scaring him off. Don't be too harsh or it may be considered animal abuse. For tips on using your cat's personality to determine the most effective training techniques, read on! ", "This gives me more confidence in raising and taking care of my cats and kittens. However, cats can be trained as long as you understand how cats think and interact with their humans. Why do people “hit” their pet? Cats are very receptive to training, especially with the use of treats. If you find your cat … It might take some of your precious time, but trust me, you will certainly succeed just hold some treats in you one hand and clicker on your other. Divert them with a toy or other activity that will direct them away from the naughty behavior. Set aside at least 20 minutes of your day to give your cat full-time playtime, when he has your undivided attention. What do you do to discipline your cats? Make sure his litter box is clean and that he has a safe, calm environment. Cats often like to be where their owners are, and they also like to sit on the keyboard or laptops because it smells of you and is warm. ", "Great article about having a cat and not.understanding it.". If your cat is behaving aggressively consult a pet behaviorist or veterinarian for advice. Although you cannot completely stop your cat from biting, there are some techniques that you can apply to help discipline them. Operant conditioning is a method of training in which the animal learns to associate a particular action with a specific consequence. He will end up resenting you for it and refuse to listen to you. Spend time cuddling with him if he responds to that. I love my cat, he’s delightful, most of the time. Put aluminum foil around the area. When you catch her sharpening her claws on an inappropriate object, you should immediately spray water on your pet to discipline her. If you like all of a cat’s behaviour then there is no call upon you to discipline your cat which eliminates the whole concept of discipline and punishment. Consider Water Aversion or Other Sprays. However, disciplining your cat is more complex than simply grabbing the spray bottle. When your cat suddenly brings out its claws or started to bite, create noise, and aggressively pull your hand just like what other kittens or cats do if they want to stop the games. So the cat can bite us hard at times, but already, he has gotten significantly better with the stern “No” then Blowing in his face, technique. I realized I was being too harsh with my cat. It may be possible that your furry friend may sometimes do things it isn’t supposed to do.. All you need to do is to know – “How to Discipline a Cat?” One morning, you find yourself annoyed at your ankle scratched or your favorite things messed up in the room, and you can’t help yourself but clean the stuff up. The reasoning behind this is that the cat will associate the good behavior with getting a treat. Recognize the complications. Meeting these needs leads to better behavior.". Canine and Feline Behavior for Veterinary Technicians and Nurses. The best way to solve this issue is to find out why your cat isn’t using the box exclusively. Just hiss or say a harsh “No!” in the beginning and then just hold the cat until she calms down. There are a couple of really important principles to understand about disciplining, that is, training a cat.They are not like dogs, don’t learn like dogs and can’t be told what to do. But first, you might want to know the reason why they behave badly so you can see the things that happen from their pov. Create a kitty space or playground in your house that he can use all day long. Because they do not know other methods that are quick. But it is possible to train your cat to stay away from your countertops, curtains, plants, etc. When your cat misbehaves, remove it from the situation or isolate it in a separate room. Although you may think that spraying water on your cat will deter her from the bad behavior, she is actually learning to... Rubbing your cat’s nose in her urine if she goes outside of her litterbox is an ineffective disciplinary method. You can give her a scratching post. To achieve this, you must stop thinking in the human perspective of discipline, which mostly involves beating, yelling, taking something from them. It is the way to teach them without complications. Cat gets on the kitchen table: Train the cat to sit on a kitchen chair for petting and food reward. When trying to discipline your pet, you need to understand how you pet is going to react. Remember that adopted or abused cats may be scared and suspicious of new environments and you, depending on his past experiences with other owners. Quite often, it will emerge from the room with a different attitude. When you remember that cats desperately crave your attention, it only makes sense that one of the harshest punishments is your lack of attention. Anyone who has lived around a cat knows they learn quickly and have a mind of their own. 1.0.2 2.) Give them verbal praise and the occasional treat. If they follow keep walking away. Cat owners often struggle with their cats’ misbehavior and wonder how to discipline a cat the right way and keep control. Cat is a lovely pet. Give a timeout: Gently put your cat in a bathroom or other room without any people in it for 20 minutes if it is misbehaving. The dogs are a very obedient companion of man for years. Make sure that you use positive reinforcement when your cat does what you want it to. Cats can be easy or difficult to train. Bengals are no different no matter how smart they are compared to other cats. Now that you have a good understanding of how your Maine Coon should and shouldn’t be acting, we can jump right into disciplining him/her. If you keep making noise every time your cat behaves badly, he will come to associate the loud sound with his behavior and stop repeating it altogether. If a cat starts to act out, and training is unsuccessful, some form of discipline may be required. Sometimes cats do things because they are bored, not because they are purposely being defiant. We have to change behavior. Some cats go absolutely crazy for the laser pointer and you can move it all over one room from the comforts of your own couch. Try coating cables in a topical solution of something cats find detestable; hot pepper, vinegar, or cheap cologne or perfume. Yes it’s possible! You should also have a spray bottle filled with water on standby. This way you can save money, and still have something for your cat to scratch. If you keep making noise every time your cat behaves badly, he will come to associate the loud sound with his behavior and stop repeating it altogether. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. It’s the age old question, how to discipline a cat. Never strike or hit a cat or throw objects at him. Cats hate it. 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