As much as we love our cats, sometimes we need to set boundaries. The form of discipline presented in this article can apply to just about every naughty behaviour, include those discussed in Naughty Kitty. Please note that is important to agree on the rules for your cat BEFORE bringing the kitten home.
Don’t let the kitten do naughty things when it is young just because it is little and cute. Changing the rules when the cat is an adult is just going to confuse the animal and changing a learned behaviour is really difficult.
You need to show the kitten what they should be doing. For example: If the kitten has gone to the toilet where it shouldn’t have you pick the kitten up and say “NO” in a deep stern voice and take him/her to the litter tray immediately.
Say “NO” in a deep stern voice and take him/her to the litter tray immediately. Rubbing their nose in it DOESN’T WORK and is not going to help them learn the correct behaviour.
If the kitten is scratching the furniture do the same as above and take the kitten to the scratching post.
If the kitten is on a bench or area where he/she is not meant to be – Use the stern voice as above and put the kitten on the ground.
If the behaviour continues a naughty room can also be used. Lock the kitten in a “boring” room such as a laundry.
This acts as a naughty corner so make it a different room to where you may lock the kitten at night or where his/her bed is.
DON’T put in any toys or food this would act as a reward (water and a litter tray is fine). Only leave the cat in there for about 10 minutes and when you let the cat out ignore him/her totally.
REMEMBER: The above suggestions should help you if you are consistent but if you continue to have any form of behavioural problem after trying the above suggestions please let us know as we have other resources that may be able to assist you.
Let’s face it, if you own a cat you know how finicky they can be at times. They just have a mind of their own and won’t always do what you want them to do and trying to change bad behaviours can be quite difficult. Changing your cat’s bad behaviour requires introducing a good behaviour by redirecting them into behaving in a more acceptable way. One of the ways you do this is by rewarding your cat for those good behaviours using praise, treats, playing games with her, and even cuddling and hugging your cat.
If you notice your cat is engaging undesirable behaviour, try to redirect her into doing something else. Therefore, if you spot her scratching and clawing somewhere she shouldn’t, such as your couch, redirect her to use her scratching post. Even though you you’re probably upset with her, don’t hit her, it will just make her agitated and not really solve the problem.
Have a plastic bottle handy that will squirt a stream of water at her, which will get her running away quickly because cats hate water. If you don’t have a water bottle handy, the next best action to take is to make a loud noise such as shaking a pop can filled with a few coins, or you could use a compressed can of air, which will give you a loud hissing noise that should stop her in her tracks. All of these techniques will put a quick stop to her actions.
The only time you can discipline your cat is when you’ve caught her in the act. Discipline will help her realise her bad behaviour isn’t acceptable. However, if you’ve been away and you return home and discover the garbage can has been tipped over, there’s no point trying to punish her for this action, because she will be unable to connect her actions with the reason she’s being punished.
To prevent your cat from jumping up onto your counter top, try using double sided sticky tape, aluminum foil or even plastic wrap. Place a line of tape in places you don’t want her to go. If she tries to go there and steps on the tape, it will stick to her paws, which she won’t like and will inevitably retreat.
Plastic wrap should have a similar effect. Aluminum foil acts like a mirror that will give off a reflection of your cat. Most cats don’t like to see a reflection since they think they’re seeing another cat. A last resort is to place an electric mat on the counter that will give a slight shock. Thes mats can usually be purchased at your local pet store.
You can also purchase items at local pet stores that will prevent your cat from trying to chew on your plants and electronic wires. These are bitter tasting and smelling things to your cat when she tries to bite the plants or wires, but be careful when using these items to make sure they won’t will harm your plants.
There are also special cat grasses that you can grow so they have their own plant to chew on. You might also try plant hangers to keep the plants away from your cat’s reach. Also, get her some toys to keep her occupied and out of mischief.
Any pet needs to learn proper behaviour and since you love your cat, it’s important that you maintain your patience. Cats usually have one or two bad habits, so you’ll usually have to figure out the best way to deal with the situation, so try to understand and be fair. Sometimes it’s just a matter of giving her enough attention. If she knows that being bad will get your attention, then you’ve got a problem on your hands. So give her love and attention on an ongoing and you’ll have fewer problems with bad behaviour.
Upon returning home from work, you discover that your cat has run rampant throughout the house — again. Your drapes are hanging haphazardly, a half empty coffee cup you left behind on the table is now upside down on the floor, it’s contents splattered everywhere, and most of the pens, pencils and sundry items from your desk are scattered around the carpet. On top of all that, your daily paper is now torn to shreds.
So, have you had enough yet? Maybe it’s time to try to do something by training your cat what it shouldn’t be doing when you’re away so that when you get home for the night, you can come home to a peaceful, clean home that hasn’t been turned upside down.
Often when people think they’re doing something about training their cat when they yell and scold her for mischievous behaviour. However, if you’re scolding a cat for something she did an hour ago, or even ten minutes ago, she won’t know remember and won’t be able to understand what she’s being scolded for, so you’re just wasting your time.
It’s never a good idea to run after the cat when she’s misbehaved because she’ll think you’re playing with her, which is exactly what she wants you to do. The only time she can be made aware of her bad behaviour is when you catch her in the act. That’s the time to let your cat know her behaviour isn’t acceptable.
You should get in the habit of rewarding your cat for good behaviour. If you have a consistent problem with your cats’ attitude, there are some options. You might consider getting a kennel to put your cat for short period of time. Or perhaps you might even consider taking her to a cat psychiatrist who will be better able to analyse your cat’s behaviour and come up with some solutions.
Starts when getting home spend some time with your cat relaxing. Cats can also help us to relax; it is known that a cat could help lower our blood pressure. Massaging your cat is another way of showing them you do care about them and helps them to relax, by knowing you will take good care of them.
Cats can bored or lonely and this is when the tend to get into mischief, especially if they’re left home alone all day. Make your home environment safe if you have to be away a lot and setup some areas where they can amuse themselves. Gets some special cat toys and string items they play with. A scratching tree for them to climb can keep their interest, and even an empty carboard box that is there for her to hide and play or even claw to pieces. A window perch is something most cats enjoy and will spend many hours watching the activity outside.
When teaching the cat proper behaviour they’re going to need your help. Cats also need exercise, so make sure you spend some time every day playing with her and showing her how to play with the toys you’ve provided. Reward your cat for good behaviours with a healthy treat or special toy or a nice belly rub.
Mainatining your cat’s health will lead to good behaviours, so make sure your take her for regular visits to the vet for required shots. It’s also important you feed her healthy foods and snacks which helps her to build healthy bones and muscles that will allow the brain to develop well, which means her training will be much easier.
Consider using natural supplements to help with her fears and aggression control. Of course, an older cat will be harder to train then a kitten. A kitten isn’t sure what’s right and wrong, but they are born with a few instincts, such as scratching, that will be considered bad behaviours, if not properly directed.
Kittens are going to be more playful than older cats which means they’ll do much more exploring and want to get into things. So start your cat’s training while she’s young and you’ll have a lot fewer incidents of spilled coffee cups and damaged drapes.
QUESTION AND ANSWER SECTION:
Q: Our cat is constantly playing with things he shouldn’t like the tassles on table runners and the toggles and cords on our ventian blinds. Have you got any suggestions on how to stop this?
A: Well there are a number of things you can try…. Firstly it is important that you wrap or tie up any cords that the cat could get tangled in. There have been a number of cases where cats have accidently hung themselves.
Ensure that the cat isn’t board by providing plenty of toys, a scratching post/climbing gym and human and/or other animal company.
In some cases the cat can have constant company and an endless amount of toys and yet they still insist on playing with items they shouldn’t in these cases you may like to try to training and discipline ideas suggested above. Where possible try to distract the cat with a different toy that has a bell or rattle in it to get their attention.
There are also a huge range of repellant products and items that you can use. Some of these items are bitter tasting some of them have a smell that cats find offensive like citronella. You can also try metho which many cats don’t like at all. By either soaking or spraying the item in these products you should find that the cat keeps away from it.
Q: I can’t seem to cure our new kitten of climbing and using the dining room chairs as a scratch pad, I have tried the stern voice on a couple of occasions with the “Bad Boy – No! No” routine but I don’t think its sinking in yet – will just keep trying and hopefully will sink in – does it usually take some time? Any other tips would be appreciated. I pick him up straight away and take him to him scratch pad but he doesn’t seem to know what its for,
I even take his paws and rub them up and down on the scratch pole.
Thanks for all your help with our new Family member.
Regards,
Lisa
A: Hello Lisa,
First and foremost you need to be consistent. Do this every time you catch him doing this. Also try dangling a toy next to the scratch post and play with him around it so that he learns it is ok to scratch on that.
He used a scratching post here all the time so it may be just settling in and learning the objects and rules.
He will also be in his terrible two’s testing the water and finding what he can get away with. Make sure you have a designated play time with him
and where possible play with him around the scratching post.
You can also use a catnip spray and spray the pole to encourage him to that. Then use a cat repellant spray on your dining chairs.
Finally you can also try any one of the following when you catch him scratching the chairs:
1. Spray him with a water squirter.
2. Give him a light tap on the bottom and lock him in a “Boring” room such as a laundry. This acts as a naughty corner so make it a different room to where you may lock him at night or where his bed is. DON’T put in any toys or food – This would act as a reward. Only leave him in there for about 10 minutes and when you let him out ignore him totally.
3. Keep doing your Angry voice and really Yell “NO, NAUGHTY!” Stomp your foot so you really give him a bit of a fright.
Then when you do see him using his scratch pole really reward him with a high pitched voice and say “Good boy” give him a pat and you can also use a treat if there is something he really likes. Some cats like the liver treats so a couple of small bits of these may help you along.
Also this article may help you….
It’s unavoidable, if you own a cat, that they’re going to spend a lot of time climbing and scratching — it can’t be helped, it’s an instinct they’re born with. If you fail to provide safe scratching areas for your cat, then be prepared, because they’re going to scratch whatever they can find and that includes your furniture, baseboards, drapes, cardboard boxes, counter tops etc. If you have a cork board in your office for pinning up memos, be prepared for a cat attack because cats will just have a great old time removing as much cork from that board as they possible can.
If you’re wondering why cats like to scratch, there’s nothing mysterious about it, they just find it an enjoyable activity, and so would you if you were endowed with long, sharp claws. In addition, it’s a part of their grooming because scratching helps to remove old layers of nails from their claws. Finally, cats scratch out areas in the home to mark their territories, which is their way of making that clear to you and any other cats or animals in the house.
Of course, there are ways to deal with this situation so let’s figure out what to do to teach your cat proper behaviours regarding scratching. First of all, never spray your cat if you catch her scratching on the counter because she’ll just jump down and run away, thinking you’re playing a game. It’s better to remove her from the counter and let her know this behaviour isn’t acceptable. Use a firm voice, but don’t yell. You can also prepare an empty pop by dropping in a few coins, securing it with tape, and shake it to makes noises to let her know you’re displeased with her behaviour.
You should have scratching poles or trees or boxes strategically located in places she’s likely to have a need to scratch. If it’s located next to the furniture, she can be encouraged to use her scratching pole instead of the furniture. You’ll find many different types of scratching boxes and poles. Some are wrapped in carpeting and the super deluxe models allow your cat to climb through various cubbyholes and scratch or have a nap or just sit majestically observe what’s going on around her.
Some cats take to fancy climbing scratching poles quickly, and some need a bit of encouragement. Training your cat to scratch the pole or tree doesn’t always easy. You may have to lead her by the hand and show her the purpose of the pole. You may have to scratch at the pole yourself to make it clear it’s where you want her to scratch. Spend some time playing with your cat and the pole and reward her with a massage or treat when she starts using the pole.
Another plan of action to help her understand she isn’t to scratch the furniture is to wrap sensitive areas in aluminium foil because cats dislike the feel of aluminium foil. You could also place some netting or a woven fabric that would cause her to snag her claws over specific areas.
It’s a good idea to set up your home environment so that it’s safe from undue scratching and climbing when your cat is home alone. Your home should have alternative items where she can play that includes, toys, her scathing pole, of course, hanging strings, balls and her cat litter box. You should also leave her fresh water and food and so she won’t get bored or restless and start getting into mischief.
Declawing isn’t recommended, but trimming your cat’s claws regularly will help reduce the damage. This isn’t an easy task, so consider taking her to a trained pet groomer regularly, and you might even pamper with the full treatment as a reward for good behaviour