Cat Q&A on Training a Cat and Cat Behavior
Q: Can cat behavior be modified by training?
A: Yes, training a cat is not as hard as most cat people consider it is. Kitties probably are not as amenable to training as dogs are but they are trainable. Food rewards given as positive reinforcement is certainly the best means to train your cat.
Q: Why and how do happy cats purr?
A: Grown kitties purr because they are happy and contented and to play on the emotions of humans — Who can ignore a purring cat? Kittens purr in answer to their mother cat’s purr to assist in bonding them. It is generally believed that the purring is a vibration of the voice-box as air is pushed though it. It is also believed that purring is a voluntary action.
Q: What makes some folks are allergic to cats?
A: Cat allergies are caused by the proteins in cat dander generated from the cat’s saliva. The dander dries and becomes airborne. People with cat allergies have a reaction because their immune system is attempting to fight the enemy protein and creates histamines.
Q: How do you halt unwanted cat behavior like clawing?
A: The best way to change bad cat behavior is the same way the mother cat controls an errant kitten. This is by scuffing the cat. You firmly but gently grasp the cat by the scruff of the neck and hold it down until it calms down. You need to do this at the time of the bad behavior.
Q: How do you litter train a cat?
A: You really shouldn’t have to do any training for a cat to use a litter box, but if your adult cat has started to avoid the litter pan you need to determine the cause. The cat may have a urinary tract infection in which case you need to visit the vet. If it is just too dirty you need to keep it cleaner. If you have switched to litter you may have to change back or sprinkle a little catnip in the litter to attract the cat to the new litter.
Q: How do you keep cats off counters?
A: This is the most asked about cat behavior problems and can be a tough one. Cats like high spots and they can find food or food aromas on counters and tables. It is best to keep the surfaces clean and to use something like foil or double sided tape to keep cats off the counters.