Cat Training: Scratching by Romolo Lerza

Cats have a strange way of saying that they like you, they leave marks in a lot of places of your home. You will frequently know if the house you're in has a cat for a pet yet without seeing the cat. You will be able to see scratch marks in practically each corners of the house. Scratching is very normal behavior for cats and there are lots of factors as to why they do this. A few cats scratch furniture or flooring in order to discharge pent up energy inside of them, they scratch so they become fatigued instead of restless. An additional reason they scratch is because they want to get rid of some parts of their claws or they want to sharpen their claws. Cats also mark their territory by means of scratching surfaces or leaving their scent on it. Cats additionally scratch surfaces for the reason that they want to flex their bodies and move their muscles.Most owners take time to train their animal to change this type of destructive behavior. Kitties can be disciplined to follow instructions so they can also be disciplined to change their behavior towards objects and people. When cat training scratching should be one of the areas you should focus on. Because this is a natural trait for them, you can't actually prevent them from scratching but you can change where they do it. You can provide your cat with things that it can scratch freely. You have to observe what kinds of objects the cat likes scratching, look at where it is situated and aim to figure out what its texture is. You will have to make the cats preferred scratching object appear unappealing by covering it or by spraying it with an odor that cats do not like. Look for a scratching post that will match the consistency of the thing your cat likes scratching and place it close to the area where this favorite object is found. Make sure that the new scratching post has the precise same texture as the preferred object and remember to make it steady. When the cat utilizes the scratching post give it goodies and pet it lovingly. If that cat really comes to like the scratching post, you can gradually move it to a better location. These movements should not be big jumps, keep in mind that you need to take it slow with cats. The much loved scratching object of the cat has to remain unappealing until you are certain that the cat will not go back to using it and has really taken to the scratching post.
You will typically progress with altering this behavior gradually but surely. Just stick to it and you will see results in no time.

About the Author

As a pet lover and someone who devoted his life to animals I consider myself an expert trainer and the one person you can go to when needing advise with regards to your cats. [http://www.howtotoilettrainingcats.com]

Discover How to Treat Cat Bites and Scratches Without Risk of Infection by Madeleine Innocent

I think I'm a rescue freak. I can't bear to see an animal in need. I don't care what animal it is, I'll help them all. However, cats seem to have their own way of finding me. Once two stray cats turned up on my doorstep, the day after I had moved in.

I think they have good bush telegraph.

Or maybe I was a cat in a past life...

Catching abandoned animals can be tricky, though.

Some years ago, I adopted a very frightened young cat. Before she had properly settled in, she managed to escape from the house and luckily, ran up a nearby tree.

I HAD to retrieve her as otherwise she would run feral, not knowing where home was.

I knew I was in for a hard time. Happily the tree wasn't very high and a short step ladder was sufficient to get myself to her level. Then the fun started. She kept backing herself further and further down a narrow branch, until she could go no further. By now, she was really frightened.

I made a grab for her.

She fought and bit and scratched, but I managed to hang on. Somehow we made it back to the house and she bolted to hide under a bed. Well, she was safe, if traumatised. I'll deal with her later. How about me?

My arms and hands were covered in deep scratches and bite marks which were beginning to become sore and swell up.

I found my bottle of homoeopathic Ledum and started dosing myself. Within a couple of doses a few minutes apart, I could feel the pain ebbing away.

A few more doses and there was really only the marks left, the swelling having gone down. A few days later and they were gone too.

How I wished I had known of this remedy some years earlier when I was in a similar situation. Then, my hands and arms were swollen and very sore for over two weeks.

The most obvious problem in such a situation, apart from the pain and swelling, is the risk of infection. Because the remedy had worked quickly on the immediate symptoms (the pain and swelling), I knew it would prevent any infection, and it did.

Ledum is a great acute remedy for any puncture wound. This can be from a cat bite (or any other animal), a splinter, a shard of glass, a vaccination, a rusty nail, a poisonous spider or snake bite. They're all puncture wounds. I routinely give parents and pet owners Ledum to take before and after they have their child or pet vaccinated. This helps with any swelling and limits the harm.

If Ledum is given quickly after a bite, it will prevent an abscess. Abscesses are common in cats who fight other cats, or in cats who hunt.

A quirky keynote of Ledum is that they are cold, but feel better for cold applications. Heat aggravates the situation. So if the area of the bite feels relief from cold applications (we're not talking about the numbing effect of ice here), Ledum is the first remedy to use.

If the remedy doesn't help the acute symptoms (pain and swelling), then infection could set in. If relief is obtained from the remedy, it will also stop infection, even tetanus. So it's important to keep an eye on this.

The homeopathic remedy Ledum is available from homeopaths, homeopathic pharmacies, health shops and now even some chemists. It is in any homoeopathic first aid kit.

About the Author

Madeleine Innocent is a practicing homeopath, a specialised modality of natural health care. She treats both people and animals in her busy West Australian practice. Madeleine loves to spread the good work of homeopathy and other areas of natural health care and writes extensively on the subject.

For a complimentary ebook on how to naturally treat some common ailments at home, visithttp://www.twolegsandfour.com.au or http://www.twolegsandfour.blogspot.com

4 Alternatives To Declawing Your Cat by James Laurie

Your cat scratching the furniture, carpet and other places around the house can cause considerable damage and some people think the answer is declawing the cat. Declawing can cause damage to your cat's paws and possible behavioral problems. I would like to provide you with four safe alternatives to declawing your cat.

Trimming Claws- Trimming your cat's claws is something that should be done periodically anyway. You should start to trim at an early age to get your cat used to doing it. They will never like having it done. But they will learn to tolerate the trimming, while vocally protesting the indignity of it all. Never use scissors to cut claws because that will shatter the claw and be very painful for your cat. Talk to your veterinarian about how to properly trim your cat's nails and choosing what type of trimmers would be the best to use.

Scratching Post- Choosing a sturdy, heavy, tall post is the one of the best alternatives to declawing your cat. It must be tall enough so they can stretch out and get a good grip on it and it has to be sturdy and heavy enough so that it won't move. If it moves or falls over they will stop using the post. The post should be made of a good gripping material like carpet or rope. I personally have had better luck with carpet than with rope. Place the post near or, if you can, on the area being scratched. As an extra bonus to help entice your cat into using the post, sprinkle it with a little bit of catnip on the top and base. Your cat will love you for it.

Use Double Sided Tape- Using a double sided tape is another great alternative. Taping the areas that are being scratched gives the area an unpleasant feeling. Cats don't like sticky feeling or having the hair on the paws pulled and they will avoid the area. Using double sided tape and a scratching post can be a very effective combination to a scratching problem.

Cat Claw Covers- Claw covers are fairly new and I have not personally tried them yet. The word that I've heard is, they work great. However, like declawing, you must keep them in the house, because the claws are covered and, it reduces the ability to defend and escape. Before applying them you will need to trip your cat's claws. The covers are filled with nontoxic glue using a syringe and slid over the nail. They should last between 4 to 6 weeks before falling off due to natural growth of the claws. Keep an eye on your cats paws to see when one falls off. You can then replace it quickly. The first few times applying claw covers you may need some help doing it, as your cat will wiggle around, and it is possible to get glue on their paws and glue their toes together. An added bonus to using cat claw covers is the fact that they also come in assorted colors, creating a great effect.

As always, before doing anything new with your cat, always consult your veterinarian.

About the Author

I have been working with cats for over 30 years, by volunteering at private cat rescue shelters, with feral cats and having a number of cats at home. If you are having litter box issues with your cats I would like to help point you in the right direction. Visit my website http://www.catpeesonbed.com/

What Constitutes Bad Cat Behavior?

It is interesting that you can hear one person talk about the bad cat behavior that they are dealing with while someone else assumes this is perfectly normal behavior because they deal with it every day. Although some behaviors may be up for debate whether they are really bad or not, there are some things that cats do that can make anyone's ears turn a little red.

Please do NOT Lift the Leg!

You know you are doomed when you see that leg go up! Cat spraying is one of the worst behaviors to have to deal with. Urine stains found on walls and furniture at about nose-level are signs that your cat is marking his territory, frustrated, stressed or letting others know his status in the home.

If your cat sprays, figure out the reason and address it immediately or else it will turn into a serious problem. Once it's done a few times, it turns into a behavioral trait which is harder to change. Scrub, scrub, scrub and neutralize!

Scratching

Little Lovebug doesn't seem to quite fit her name when you come home to shredded curtains, furniture and window screens now does it? Cats need to scratch so if you are not providing something to use, they will find something themselves; plain and simple. You may be interested to learn that just like a dog; you can trim or file your cat's claws if you are very careful. Ask your vet to show you how or take your cat for a manicure. Maybe she needs a little pampering! Of course, a new scratching post won't hurt either!

Put that Tongue Away!

While a little lick here and there may seem sweet and innocent, some cats will start licking a lot. Not only can their rough tongue irritate your skin, it can damage wood surfaces. Also, it should be noted that cats that lick more than normal are more prone to bite when irritated as well.

If there is a spot on the wood arm of your chair or the coffee table that your cat consistently revisits to lick, spray a little lemon juice on it and it won't seem so appealing anymore; just the mere smell will often keep them away.

Stealth Attack

There is a huge difference between pouncing because the cat wants to play and you have a toy compared to the cat that stalks your feet, jumps at your ankles as you walk by and might even bite or scratch. While you may think that this is normal behavior because cats have a strong prey instinct, it's not! This is actually most commonly seen in single-cat homes, especially those that are left alone a lot. Yes, cats are independent but they still want companionship. If you are gone all day, come home and leave to go to dinner, run errands, etc., and don't spend time with your cat, consider getting a second one. Really, how much room do they take up anyway?

Biting

No amount of cat biting is cute! Cats bite hard, even when they are just giving you a warning nibble and these types of bites are prone to infection. Cats will bite for many different reasons; frustration, redirected aggression, pain or illnesses are all common causes. Sometimes, they bite because they just don't want to be petted anymore! Watch for subtle signals like twitching ears or tail or a stiff body and you can avoid feeling the pain of this bad cat behavior.

About the Author

Sonia Manning provides interesting information and helpful tips about cats and their behaviors. For more help on problem cat behaviors, go to http://www.catbehaviorsolutions.com/cats-problem-behavior.html.

Visit her website at http://www.catbehaviorsolutions.com for more topics, and solutions for problem cat behaviors. You can also receive free an 8-day Email Mini-Course on "Secrets About Your Cat's Behavior: Why He Does the Things He Does!"

Understanding Your Cats Behavior by Julia Sage

People often fail when they try to train their cat. The main reason for this is failure to understand how your cat thinks. Cats and dogs do not think a like, yet many will use the same techniques for dog training with their cat.

Cats do not respond positively to yelling or physical punishment. This only causes your cat to think you are an unsafe person, and adds mistrust to your relationship. In fact, most cats, being of a stubborn and dominate nature will refuse to cower down, as a dog might when you raise your voice. Their naughty behavior may escalate, or cause your cat to become aggressive.

Cats respond to positive and negative consequences. Make sure though that the negative consequences are attached to the behavior and not to you. Reward positive behavior, no reward for negative behavior teaches your cat to behave better.

By nature, cats are creatures of habit. They respond much better when they are on a set schedule and their environment stays the same. Something as simple as moving the furniture or adding a new piece of furniture can send your cat into a frenzy.

Cats will spend a lot of time each day marking their environment with their friendly pheromones by rubbing their faces on things. This adds their scent throughout the house and helps them feel safe in their environment. Understand that when you move furniture or bring in a new piece of furniture, your cat has an instinctual need to remark his/her territory in order to feel safe again. This scent is not the same as when a male cat sprays to attract a female cat. They are simply putting their friendly scent on things so it is familiar to them once again.

A common reaction for adults when their cat begins to rub up against new furniture is to chase the little critter away and sometimes start yelling. Unless your cat is clawing at the furniture, they will not damage your furniture by rubbing against it.

If you are concerned that your cat will get your furniture dirty somehow, it is safe to bathe a cat once a month, sometimes more often if they go outside and get all muddy from the rain. Some people think bathing a cat will cause the cats to quit cleaning themselves. This generally happens when it is done in access. You may want to use a natural bath solution, so your cat is not ingesting chemicals when they lick themselves dry. Or you could use a dry bath if your cat turns into psycho kitty when they get wet. You can use baking soda for a dry bath. Just rub it into their coat, wait a few minutes, and then brush it off.

Understanding how your cat thinks, and their nature will help you have better results in attempting to train them. It will also help you bond more with your animal friend, and lead to a more fulfilled relationship for years to come.

About the Author

Cats are wonderful companions when we understand their nature and how to provide the care that they need. Learn how you can get your cat to be more affectionate and behave better by visiting:
http://healthycat.blogspot.com