Declawing

First, please note that declawing your cat so he won’t scratch your furniture is cruel and inhumane. It is the equivalent of cutting off your finger up to the first knuckle. There can be serious physical and psychological effects. Instead, you should train your cat to use a scratching post. Other alternatives include a quick, painless trimming of his claws (which you can do at home using special clippers) or covering the claws with soft sheaths (which you can purchase relatively inexpensively). Scratching is one of your cat’s most ingrained instincts. Keep a scratching post near where the cat usually sleeps or, if he has already picked out a corner of your sofa, keep it next to that chosen spot. You may need to train your cat to use his scratching post. Do not pick him up and put his paws on the scratching post (that will only make him want to avoid it). Make the scratching post appealing to him: rub catnip on it or mist it with catnip spray; drape a heavy string (a long leather shoelace works great) over it and wiggle it to catch his interest; put treats on the very top. Important:  Invest in a scratching post that is 24″ or 30″ tall, with a sturdy base – your cat may be using the arm of the sofa because he can stretch higher than his scratching post will allow. Most of the ones you will find at the store are only 18″ high so you may need to visit a pet supply store. I recently found THE best scratching post for our cats!  It’s made out of rough sisal (NOT the rope, a weave!).  It’s tall (29 inches), doesn’t fall over, doesn’t wobble, and doesn’t slide across the floor.  And, of course, the best part:  all the cats love it.  It’s called the TopCat Sisal Scratching Post. A few cats don’t like scratching on a vertical post, but will scratch willingly on a flat scratching pad. If your cat prefers a flat surface, you can either buy one of the cardboard scratching boxes (typically available from mail order or pet stores), or buy a scrap of plywood and a carpet remnant, large enough to fold around onto the back of the plywood. Cut the corners on an angle, fold the carpet remnant over the wood, and tack the carpet on using carpet tacks or heavy-duty staples. Sometimes changing to a scratching post that is covered with sisal rope or a different texture will kindle his interest in the post, as well. An additional idea, one that worked well when there were more vacant rooms in the house, is to follow the instructions above for a flat-surface scratching pad, then mount it on the wall at a convenient height for the cat, in a hallway or in the laundry room. Other solutions: If he’s scratching wood furniture, rub strong-smelling furniture polish into it. For sofa and chair sides, cover the edges of the sofa with heavy plastic (available at your local fabric store – typically used to cover footstools or protect tablecloths – you can buy twist-pins while you’re there to hold the place neatly in place) or aluminum foil for a retro, funky look (use velcro or double-stick tape to hold in place). Or spray a cloth thoroughly with one of the sprays formulated for keeping a cat off the furniture, and pin it to the sofa, chair, or your speakers (don’t spray directly onto the furniture). Or, put strips of self-adhesive velcro (loop side out) on the favored scratching spots. If all else fails, everytime you see him actively clawing the furniture, spray him lightly from a bottle of water (do this only when he is actually scratching, not when he is approaching or leaving the furniture).

Litterbox Training your Cat

Owning a cat can be both a wonderful and rewarding experience. However, there is a significant amount of responsibility involved in owning a cat, and in helping your cat to understand the rules of your household. Training your cat to use the litter box is a very important part of pet care, since it involves establishing the boundaries of your home with your cat. While some cats may be receptive to litter box training, some cats may have initial difficulty in accepting a litter box training program.

Potty Training your Cat

Choosing to potty train your cat is a very important decision, as it can be very beneficial to your relationship with your cat. Most cat owners view potty training as a very difficult task, and something that requires a large investment both in time and in patience. It’s true, any type of training program that you begin with your cat will require a lot of patience, as well the time to train your cat correctly. However, in reality, potty training your cat can be easily accomplished, as long as you follow a few simple steps.

First, choose the right type of litter box for your cat. Most cat owners choose to purchase an enclosed litter box, as this is the best way to prevent the smell of the litter box from becoming too noticeable. However, your cat may take some time to be comfortable with the idea of going inside an enclosed litter box. A common mistake that many cat owners make is to push or force their cat into an enclosed litter box. In reality, this only causes a cat to become claustrophobic, and may cause them to avoid the litter box altogether. It is best to be patient, and coax your cat to come near the box with treats and gentle words. If you wish, you can also place a small amount of catnip in and around the litter box, so that your cat becomes interested in the area. It is suitable to bring your cat into the general area of the litter box, but don’t force them to explore it. Most cats will discover the litter box on their own. However, if your cat seems to be uncomfortable with the box, try moving it to a different location. Cats prefer to go to the bathroom in private, and may avoid a litter box that is placed too close to loud noises or family activity.

Once your cat is comfortable with the litter box, it’s time for the next step. When potty training, it is best if you feed your cat on a set schedule that remains unchanged each day. This way, you can have a better estimation on when your cat may have to go to the bathroom. After your cat eats, try to closely observe their behavior. If you see your cat pacing, or beginning to sniff at the floor, immediately bring them to the room where their litter box is. If your cat seems uninterested in the box, try placing some catnip inside the box, just as you did when you were socializing them with the litter box. If your cat does not have to go to the bathroom, they may simply leave the area. However, it is important to keep a close watch on them, as they may be searching for an area in which they can go to the bathroom.

If you follow these steps on a regular basis, your cat will eventually become accustomed to using the litter box for their bathroom needs. Remember, it is important to be patient. Potty training does not have to be a difficult process, as long as you are observant of your cat’s behavior.

Tips on training your cat

If you are a first-time cat owner, it is best that you begin training your cat as soon as they become a member of your household. Training your cat is a very important part of cat pet care, since it allows you to shape your cat’s behavior around the rules of your home. In essence, you are your cat’s guide to the human world. As such, it is best if you adapt a training program to help train your cat to be well-behaved.

However, training your cat can be a difficult task, requiring a large amount of patience. Here are a few simple tips that you can follow when training your cat.

1. Do not scold a kitten! Cats are a highly emotional animals, and will not usually respond well to verbal punishment. If your kitten becomes afraid of you at an early age, this will cause them to have behavioral problems once they grow into adulthood. Fear is never a good emotion to use when training your cat, as it destroys the bond between you and your cat. Try to use positive reinforcement on a regular basis, as it is much more constructive towards a successful training program. Cats may become destructive if they do not receive enough attention,
2. Don’t forget to play with your cat on a regular basis. Playing games will help your cat to follow their instinctual behavior, and teach them that social interaction can be fun as well.
3. Try to always keep your cat on a regular schedule. Just like humans, cats eventually develop a routine for their daily lifestyle. As your cat’s owner, you are in complete control of your cat’s routine. You should use this power carefully, in order to establish the best possible schedule for your cat. Most cats will do much better if they are fed at regularly scheduled times each day, so that they do not become hungry in between mealtimes. In addition to this, it is very important to praise your cat on a regular basis. Your cat thrives off of attention, and is always looking to please you through their behavior.
4. Try to set your cat up in a comfortable environment. Make sure that your house is “cat friendly”, and try to keep any indoor smoking to a minimum. Smoking can irritate a cat’s respiratory system, and may produce asthma-like symptoms.
5. Cats are sensitve to abrasive surfaces, and may try to use your furniture as a scratching post. To help train your cat to not scratch your furniture, try adhering double-sided sticky tape to the outside of your furniture. When your cat tries to scratch, they will get their paws caught on the sticky tape. Cats do not like sticky surfaces, and eventually your cat will learn to avoid scratching your furniture. It is best to purchase a designated scratching post for your cat, to help discourage destructive behavior.

Cat Potty Training

Potty training your cat can be a process that involves a significant amount of patience, and the ability to deal with some “accidents” that may occur. However, it is important to be familiar with some of the basics of potty training a cat, as this is a very important part of overall pet care. Teaching your cat to be potty trained can be accomplished in a relatively short time, as long as you have the patience to properly potty train your cat.

Potty training your cat has several advantages, both to your cat’s health, and the overall cleanliness of your home. If a cat is not properly potty trained, they may try to relieve themselves in appropriate areas, such as in household plants. Cats have an instinctual urge to bury their waste, and may try to use the soil surrounding potted plants as a way to cover up their stools. This obviously creates a fair amount of tension between you and your cat, as you may feel frustrated that your cat is “violating” your household environment.

Once your cat is properly potty trained, this will also help to promote good hygiene in your household. If your cat is going to the bathroom in the proper areas, you will be able to maintain a clean and healthy environment in your house. The smell of cat urine is very distinct, and can be detected even in small amounts. Most cat urine smells similar to strong ammonia, and is extremely unsavory to the senses. If you purchase a kitty litter product that contains an odor-absorbing ingredient (such as baking soda) you will notice that you are not able to easily detect the smell of your cat’s urine.

However, potty training your cat is only one part of keeping your house clean and odor-free. As a responsible pet owner, it is your duty to maintain a clean environment where your cat can comfortably go to the bathroom. Even though cleaning your cat’s litter box can often be an undesirable process, it is very important that you clean your cat’s litter on a regular basis. Some cats will refuse to relieve themselves in a dirty litter box, and may stop using the litter box altogether.

If you potty train your cat, you may also save a significant amount on your veterinary bill. Your cat’s stool and urine condition can help you to easily identify if they are experiencing a medical problem, especially if it involves gastrointestinal symptoms. Any changes in the texture, smell and quality of your cat’s stool are always cause for concern, and may actually be indicative of a potentially serious medical condition. If you notice that your cat begins to have constant diarrhea, for example, this could be caused by any number of factors. Certain parasite infections may cause diarrhea, as can viral or bacterial infections. In any case, changes in your cat’s stool should be reason enough for you to schedule your cat to have an appointment with a veterinarian.

How to take care of a cat

Cats are one of the most popular pets for many pet lovers. This may be due to their playful personalities, affectionate behavior or adorable appearance. However, aside from being cute, cats do require proper care in order to stay healthy and content.

FEEDING

Choosing your cat’s food is one of the most important decisions you can make regarding your cat’s health. There are many different cat food formulas available on the market today, which all may advertise as being the right type of diet for your cat. However, when choosing a cat food, it’s essential that you do not choose based on price alone. Low-quality cat food formulas can be very harmful to your cat’s health, resulting in expensive veterinary bills. Never feed your cat a formula that is corn-based, or that contains a high percentage of simple carbohydrates. Cats are obligate carnivores, which means that they will thrive when given a diet rich in meat-derived protein. A quick way to evaluate a cat food formula is to read the first five ingredients, which make up the bulk of the formula. For cats, it’s recommended that at least three or four of the first five ingredients are protein-based.

TOYS

Cats are interactive animals, and will require constant entertainment in order to remain happy. There are many great cat toys available for purchase at many pet stores, which can help keep your cat entertained. If you are unsure of what type of toy to purchase, you may also simply purchase some catnip, which can be used to stuff homemade toys or cloth balls for your cat.

VETERINARY CARE

Veterinary care is incredibly important for cats, especially since many cats can develop serious health conditions. It’s best to keep up to date on your cat’s vaccinations, and have a checkup at least once every two months.

LITTER BOX

Litter box training a cat is fairly simple, since most cats have an instinctual desire to bury their waste. Place your cat’s litter box in a private area, where any residual odor will not bother the other members of your household. It’s recommended that you clean your cat’s litter box once per day, with a complete replacement of the litter in the box about once per week. You may also want to disinfect the box with a non-toxic cleaner to help control odor.