Home | Basic Training (page 15)

Basic Training

Door Darting Behavior in Cats

Door darting is a potentially dangerous behavior for a cat. For a kitty who lives indoors exclusively, escaping through the door to the outside can result in instant tragedy. Even for a cat who is allowed access to the outside, being able to just zip out the front door whenever it’s opened can have very ...

Read More »

10 Pet Safety Tips for Memorial Weekend

Wishing you and your pets a wonderful and safe Memorial Day weekend. As you’re getting ready for those cook-outs and picnics and the start of summer, keep these 10 pet safety tips in mind: Tip #1: Keep water handy. If your pet is outdoors with you be sure to have fresh water handy and place the water ...

Read More »

Keep Cat Toys Fun and Interesting

  You may have purchased countless toys for your cat but when they’re left out all day and all night, it’s easy for them to lose their appeal. Your cat may have a few toys that are his absolute favorites but what about all the others that are left to gather dust on the floor? ...

Read More »

Is the Litter Box in the Right Place?

  When a cat stops using the litter box it’s a very stressful situation. It’s obviously extremely stressful for the poor cat but it’s also very stressful for the human family members. Nobody is happy when kitty pees in locations other than the litter box. There are many reasons for litter box aversion and we have ...

Read More »

Turn an Outdoor Cat into an Indoor Cat

  Making the transition from outdoor life to indoor life is a process, but it’s not as difficult as you might think. It just takes some planning so you can help the cat to not feel overwhelmed by all the changes taking place. What if the Cat Has Never Been Indoors? First on the list ...

Read More »

What is the Vomeronasal Organ?

Cats have a very special piece of equipment known as the Jacobson’s organ or vomeronasal organ. Located in the roof of the mouth, it contains ducts that lead to the mouth and to the nose. This is essentially a scent analyzer. It’s used primarily for analyzing pheromones (scent chemicals) from other cats, especially the ones ...

Read More »

At What Age Should Your Child Have a Pet?

I am frequently asked about the right age for children when it comes to adding a companion animal to the family. In general, it depends on the particular child and the preparation and education done by the parent. My daughter, as a preschooler, was as gentle with our cats as I could’ve ever hoped for. ...

Read More »

Choosing the Right Carrier Size for Your Cat

  When shopping for a carrier for your cat, you may be tempted to think bigger is better. You might feel it would be far more comfortable for your cat to be able to stretch out during travel. Larger Isn’t Necessarily Better When it Comes to Cat Carriers Actually, it’s not a comforting feeling for ...

Read More »

Bunting Behavior in Cats

  You’re sitting in a chair and your cat jumps up onto your lap and starts purring. He moves closer to your face and then literally butts his forehead against your cheek or chin. Sometimes it’s a gentle nudge and then at other times it’s almost a head-to-head bone-crusher. There are also times when kitty ...

Read More »

Are You Misunderstanding Your Cat’s Behavior?

  It still surprises so many people — even cat lovers themselves — that cats are trainable and behavior problems can often be resolved. Where we fail in tackling behavior problems is we assume the cat’s motivation is spite, anger, or stupidity. I promise you, your cat isn’t off in a corner plotting to do ...

Read More »