Correcting Cats Bad Behaviour: How To Discipline Your Cat; Youll Be Happy; Your Cat Will Be Too!


At some time or another even the sweetest cat "misbehaves." Ironically, a cat's bad act is usually quite normal behavior for her, but may have a result humans don't like or want. Screaming at the cat or physically punishing her won't alter negative behavior. The best way to change undesirable behavior is to eliminate the opportunity and/or distract the cat to an acceptable alternative.

Immediacy is vital: even seconds late may be ineffective. You must do it as soon as the cat starts misbehaving.

Distracting a cat away from an act is not very difficult. A loud, unfamiliar noise will quickly get her attention. Some cat owners use a low growling sound, others imitate the grating sound of a game show buzzer. Keeping the sound low-toned and harsh is important, because you want to save high-pitched sounds for praise and reinforcement of positive behaviors.

One well-known way to distract a misbehaving cat is to give her a blast with a spray bottle. While this works, it has some drawbacks. First, you must have the bottle in your hand at the exact moment the cat is about to act in a way you want to discourage. Unless you follow your cat around all day with a spray bottle in your hand, this is unlikely to happen. The second problem is that this technique seems to lose effectiveness after a while with some cats.

The best way to extinguish negative behaviors is to remove the opportunity. If your cat obsessively scratches the side of your couch, place a loose blanket or hard acrylic panel against it. Both techniques remove her access to the satisfying feel of the fabric. If she climbs your curtains, shredding them as she goes, fold or pin them out of her reach unless you are around to stop her. If she has accidents only when you are not home, only give her free run of the house when you are there. When you go out, close her in a room with food, water, litter box, scratching post and a couple of toys.

Avoid, at all times, any form of physical punishment. It doesn't matter if your vet or the "cat expert" down the street suggests it; physically punishing your cat will do more harm than good. Some people feel that a "little" tap on the cat's nose with your finger is an acceptable form of punishment because you are only using one finger. Humane group experts point out, however, that if you look at that finger in proportion to a cat's nose - a very sensitive body part - it would be like someone hitting you on the nose with a rolling pin.

You can try gently pushing the palm of your hand into the face of the cat. This is best used when discouraging something like biting. Don't hit the cat, simply push its face back gently.

Inflicting pain has a negative affect on your relationship with your cat. Even the most outgoing cat will back away from your hands, even if they are only reaching out to pet her. If your cat is shy to begin with, physical punishment can have even more deeply negative results.

Keep in mind, too, what you are communicating when you swat your cat. Swatting is one of the main ways cats fight with one another. When you swing your hand at your cat, she very well may take it as a challenge to fight. Constantly provoking her can create a serious aggression problem.

Pet Medication Supplies http://www.pet-medication-supplies.net can help you get the best possible pet health supplies. Advantix, Arthramine, Cosequin, Frontline, Heartgard - find the best deals in pet medication for flea and tick control, arthritis and lyme disease. Upto 50% discount everyday on brand names.


MORE RESOURCES:

Better Business Bureau

FDA looks into complaints about dog treats made in Mo.
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
The company said Thursday in a statement that it was saddened to learn of the illnesses and deaths of customers' pets, and that quality and safety remain ...
Dog owners: Frick's Dynamic Pet Products ham bones hurt, killed petsBizjournals.com
FDA looking into complaints about deadly dog boneKMOX.com
BBB warns: Locally made dog bones can cause death, serious illnessSt. Louis Globe-Democrat
KOAM-TV
all 15 news articles »


KHON2

Occupants, pets safe after fire guts Pālolo home
Honolulu Advertiser
PĀLOLO — Firefighters combed through the burned-out shell of a Pālolo home yesterday afternoon, after a fire destroyed it early that morning ...
Palolo House Fire Causes $600000 in DamageKHON2

all 8 news articles »


My pet camera: Fujifilm releases special camera for dog and cat lovers
Los Angeles Times
Pet lovers know what I'm talking about when I say it's really difficult to take a picture of your pets and accurately capture just how darnn cute they are. ...



Seattle Post Intelligencer (blog)

Help available for owners struggling to afford food for pets
Tampa Tribune
Gonzalez is just one of many people who because of their financial situation are now being forced to put their pride aside to make sure their pets don't go ...
Casper's Kitchen helps feed hungry petsMyFox Tampa Bay
Pet of the Week: TessieWSET
PET OHANA Some birds make better pets than othersHonolulu Star-Bulletin
Seattle Post Intelligencer (blog) -Winnipeg Free Press
all 8 news articles »


USA Today

Pet food advice: 'Chow Hound' is a guide for loving owners
USA Today
In his new book Chow Hound (Health Communications, Inc., $14.95), veterinarian Ernie Ward looks at the processed foods we give our pets. ...



USA Today

No hungry dogs: New pantry to help people afford pets
USA Today
The Associated Press reports dozens of pet owners lined up over the weekend at the Cincinnati Food Pantry to receive a two weeks' supply of pet food, ...

and more »


Tampabay.com

Pet Expo to be held this weekend
Tampa Tribune
By HERNANDO TODAY STAFF BROOKSVILLE - The Humane Society of the Nature Coast will present their sixth annual Nature Coast Pet Expo from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm ...
Nature Coast Pet Expo offers fun, help for animals and their ownersTampabay.com

all 3 news articles »


HSUS News

Eldon veterinarians open pet food pantry
KRCG
Doctors Kathy Bisges and Joann Kunz at Lake Pet Hospital are on a mission to help pets in Eldon and the surrounding communities. "We pretty much maxed out ...
Cincinnati food pantry helps out pet ownersChillicothe Gazette
Meet Our 2010 KIND Kid of the Year!HSUS News

all 6 news articles »


KOMO News

Manufacturer expands pet food recall
The Associated Press
Nature's Variety has expanded its recall of chicken-flavored pet food because of concerns over salmonella. The Lincoln, Neb.-based company said Monday that ...
Some Nature's Variety pet foods recalledUPI.com
Nature's Variety Expands Nationwide Voluntary Recall to Include All Raw Frozen ...PR Newswire (press release)
Nature's Variety Recall ExpandedAbout - News & Issues (blog)
Seattle Post Intelligencer (blog) -Consumer Affairs
all 301 news articles »


Coyotes Attack, Kill Pets In Greenville County Neighborhood
News Channel 7
Her family found the pet dead in their driveway after an attack. "It's like a dinner menu for coyotes around here," says Ruth DeVorsey. ...
Coyotes Attacking, Killing Pets In UpstateWYFF Greenville

all 2 news articles »

Google News




PetsFriends.com - the best dating site for singles who are pet lovers!

home | site map
© 2006