Basic Training

Cats are Individuals Some cats prefer not to scratch on vertical objects. These are the cats who scratch on welcome mats, carpets, throw rugs, even sofa cushions. You may have a cat who exclusively scratches horizontally or maybe they enjoy the option of being able to engage in both horizontal and vertical scratching. If you ...

  Listen to the audio version of this article Whether it’s a new boyfriend, girlfriend or a new spouse, life in that rose-covered cottage can quickly turn into Nightmare on Elm Street if the cat appears to hate the love of your life. Beginning a new relationship is stressful enough without the cat coming into ...

  If you’re considering expanding your cat family, the question of whether to add another kitten or an adult cat may have you confused. And what about gender? Should the new cat be a male or female? While there’s no magic solution for a perfect kitty match, I’ve got some tips to help you increase ...

  Cats are not big fans of change, so imagine how confusing it must be when there’s suddenly a new family member brought home. From the cat’s point of view this whole event takes place without any warning. Many people incorrectly assume any negative behavior a cat displays toward the new baby is based on ...

Many things can cause a cat to become fearful, such as: Lack of socialization as a kitten Being the target of aggression by other animals Pain and illness Being the target of abuse Stressful living conditions (too many cats, dirty conditions, tense family environment, etc.) A move to an unfamiliar environment (new home, being relinquished ...

  There’s a behavior many cats exhibit that the human family members find endearing and fascinating. If your cat’s nails haven’t been trimmed lately though, the behavior can also be a bit on the painful side. The behavior I’m referring to is called kneading. The behavior looks like this: the cat stands or sits on ...

Cats love to play and they’re usually ready for a game at any time. While a pre-bedtime playtime session is a great way to encourage your cat to sleep through the night, the one place you shouldn’t conduct that game is on your bed. Consistency is important in training and if you send the message ...

  When your cat is displaying a behavior problem it’s a very stressful situation for the entire family. The human family members are impacted by whatever issue the cat is going through. I’ve seen cases where the cat’s behavior problem has caused serious tension between spouses and significant others. Cat parents can be brought to tears ...

Fingers Aren’t Toys When Playing With Your Cat The first rule is to never use your fingers as toys. Even if your cat doesn’t bite hard it sends a mixed message that chomping down on flesh is acceptable. Use only fishing pole-type toys so that there’ll be a safe distance between your fingers and your ...

  Playtime with your cat may seem like a no-brainer but there are actually a few mistakes you can make that can be counter-productive to your cat’s enjoyment of the game. Some mistakes in your playtime technique can even contribute to behavior problems. That may be surprising to learn but when you think about the ...