Cat Training Without Problems

If you're reading this, you probably adore your feline friend but are also scratching your head over how to get them to behave without resorting to harsh measures. Cats, with their quirky personalities and independent streaks, can be a handful sometimes. But the good news is, disciplining a cat without negative means is not only possible but also a rewarding experience for both you and your kitty.

First things first, let’s talk about understanding your cat. Cats are incredibly intuitive and sensitive creatures. They don't respond well to punishment, and it can actually make behavior problems worse. Instead, we need to get into the mindset of our cats and figure out why they're acting out. Often, unwanted behaviors stem from boredom, anxiety, or just plain curiosity.

One of the best ways to discipline a cat is through positive reinforcement. This means rewarding your cat for good behavior rather than punishing them for bad. For example, if your cat scratches the furniture, redirect them to a scratching post. When they use the post, give them a treat or some extra love. Cats learn by association, and they’ll quickly figure out that scratching the post equals a yummy treat or a fun play session.

Speaking of scratching, let’s address this common issue. Scratching is a natural behavior for cats, so instead of trying to stop it altogether, provide alternatives. Scratching posts, pads, and cat trees are excellent options. Place these near the furniture your cat likes to scratch. Sometimes, adding a bit of catnip to the scratching post can make it more enticing. If your cat continues to scratch the furniture, a gentle “no” followed by moving them to the post can help them understand where it's okay to scratch.

Training cats can also involve setting boundaries. Cats thrive on routine and knowing what to expect. If your cat is jumping on the counters, try using double-sided tape on the surfaces you want to keep off-limits. Cats don’t like the sticky feeling on their paws and will soon learn to avoid those areas. You can also try using aluminum foil or citrus sprays, as cats generally dislike these as well.

Let’s not forget the power of playtime. Cats often misbehave because they’re bored or have excess energy. Regular play sessions can work wonders in curbing unwanted behavior. Use interactive toys like feather wands, laser pointers, or even simple homemade toys to keep your cat engaged. Playtime not only provides physical exercise but also mental stimulation, making your cat happier and less likely to act out.

Another key aspect of disciplining a cat is providing them with a safe and enriching environment. Cats need places to climb, hide, and explore. By creating a cat-friendly home with plenty of vertical space, cozy hiding spots, and engaging toys, you can prevent many behavioral issues before they start. A happy cat is a well-behaved cat.

When dealing with litter box issues, make sure the box is clean and in a quiet, accessible location. Cats are particular about their bathroom habits, and a dirty or poorly placed litter box can lead to accidents. If your cat is having litter box problems, try adding more boxes in different locations and using unscented litter. Positive reinforcement comes into play here too—praise and treats when your cat uses the litter box correctly can reinforce good habits.

If your cat is exhibiting aggressive behavior, it’s important to stay calm. Yelling or physical punishment will only make things worse. Instead, try to identify the trigger for the aggression. Is your cat scared, in pain, or feeling threatened? Once you understand the cause, you can address it more effectively. Sometimes, simply giving your cat space and time to calm down is the best approach. For ongoing aggression, consulting a veterinarian or a cat behaviorist can provide additional guidance.

Patience is your best friend when it comes to disciplining cats. Cats don’t change their behavior overnight, and it takes time for them to learn new habits. Consistency is key—make sure everyone in your household is on the same page with the training methods you’re using. Mixed signals can confuse your cat and make training more difficult.

Remember, our goal is to make our cats feel safe and loved while teaching them how to coexist peacefully in our homes. Positive reinforcement, providing alternatives, and creating an enriching environment are all effective ways to discipline your cat without causing harm. With a little patience and understanding, you’ll find that your cat can be both well-behaved and happy.

So, next time your feline friend is causing a bit of chaos, take a deep breath and remember these tips. Your cat might not always be perfect, but with love and gentle guidance, they can learn to be the best version of themselves. Happy training!

 Oh, let me tell you about the crazy antics of my cat. I swear, sometimes I think she's from another planet. Like, have you ever just sat and watched your cat go absolutely bonkers for no reason? Mine, Trouble, will just dart across the room, full speed, like she's being chased by an invisible ghost. And then, as quickly as she starts, she stops and pretends nothing happened. I’m sitting there like, "Did I just witness a feline marathon?" But to her, it’s just a Tuesday.

And then there’s the whole box obsession. I can buy Fluffy the fanciest, most elaborate cat bed, and what does she do? She ignores it completely and opts for the old Amazon box that I haven’t even finished unpacking. It’s like cats have some secret pact with cardboard companies to make sure every box feels like a palace. Sometimes I think, if I just put a box in every room, she’d be the happiest cat alive.

Oh, and the staring. Don’t get me started on the staring. There I am, peacefully sipping my morning coffee, and I feel this intense gaze. I look over, and Fluffy is just sitting there, eyes wide, staring right into my soul. It’s like she’s plotting something, but then she blinks slowly, and I remember that’s supposed to be a sign of affection. Still, it’s a bit unnerving at 7 AM.

Have you ever had a cat bring you “gifts”? Fluffy once dropped a half-eaten moth right on my pillow. I wake up, and there it is, like some gruesome little present. She looked so proud of herself, like she was saying, “Look, I brought you breakfast!” Thanks, Fluffy, but I think I’ll stick to cereal.

And let’s talk about the weird spots they choose to sleep. I’ve found Fluffy napping in the sink, on top of the refrigerator, and once, in my laundry basket. Clean clothes, mind you. I don’t understand how a hard, porcelain sink is more comfortable than her plush cat bed, but who am I to judge? Maybe it’s the thrill of unpredictability that she loves.

Then there's the midnight zoomies. Just when I think I can finally get some sleep, Fluffy decides it’s time for a full-on sprint session around the house. She leaps off furniture, skids across the floor, and makes this weird chirping noise that’s somewhere between a meow and a bird call. Sleep? Not in her world.

And speaking of sounds, the chirping at birds is another odd one. We have this big window where birds like to gather, and Fluffy will sit there, making the strangest chattering sounds. It’s like she’s trying to communicate with them or possibly hypnotize them into becoming her next snack. Who knows what goes on in that little head of hers?

Cats are truly mysterious creatures. They have this amazing ability to make us laugh, confuse us, and sometimes leave us questioning our sanity. But in the end, it’s all part of their charm. So, if you ever find yourself wondering why your cat does the things she does, just know you’re not alone. We’re all in this crazy cat world together.

Answers to the Cat Quiz Video

 I'm so glad you decided to play with us.  I hope you enjoyed the video, but if you missed it you can find it here: https://youtube.com/shorts/fVdf-xW310Y?feature=share .

I know it was just a quick, 5 question quiz, but it was fun and fast.  I plan to make several more of these fast quizes to see how much we really know about our pets.

I may even make some quizzes about strange animals all over the world that you may not really know much about. I would hope such a quiz would inspire you to learn more about the animals we share this world with.

Here are the answers to the quiz:

1. The average lifespan of an indoor cat is 20-25 years.  The lifespan of an outdoor cat is 5-7 years.

2. The breed of cat known for a lack of tail is the Manx. There are actually scientific studies ongoing right now to determine why they have no tail.

3. Your cat has an average of 24 whiskers total.  12 whiskers on either side of the face. Cats use whiskers to determine where they are in relation to their environment and they use it to detect motion and air currents.

4. This was my favorite. A group of kittens is called a Kindle.  Isn't that cute?

5. The least developed sense a cat has is its sense of taste. It has fewer taste buds on its tongue and cannot taste any sweet taste.

So, how did you do? Please leave me a comment and tell me.  I so enjoy these little quizzes and I hope you do too.  Come back soon for the next one.  Who knows what it will be on?

What the Heck is TNR?

 When I lived in an apartment complex in Texas, there were so many feral cats there.  They were not friendly, not pets.  They roamed the complex and made messes when plants were set outside.  It was obvious that this was their home, even though they belonged to no person.  I used to sit on my porch and watch them; soon you get to know each one by their personality.  

When spring came around, there would always be a huge number of kittens roaming with the adult cats.  Unfortunately, they did not understand about living with humans and many of the babies met terrible fates.  About half of them would live to adulthood and go on to have babies of their own.

I was saddened by their plight.  They were not very healthy, they were always hungry, and they fought incessantly over food and territory.  One day, while sitting on my porch, I decided to see what I could do for them because, although I am a dog person, I do love cats as well.

What is TNR?

I researched rescues in the area and was told that feral cats cannot be adopted and are summarily euthanized in shelters.  I was appalled.  These cats should not meet such a terrible fate.  I then found out about TNR at a cat rescue.  

Trap-neuter-return, or TNR, is a humane and effective approach to managing community cat populations. It involves trapping cats, having them spayed or neutered and vaccinated, and then returning them to their outdoor homes. By sterilizing the cats, TNR helps to reduce the number of kittens born and stabilizes the size of the cat colony over time.

I agreed that this was a great solution to the population problem at my apartment complex. I borrowed a trap from my neighbor and set it with a can of sardines that I punched holes into the top. I placed the trap about 15 feet away from my door and went inside.  In less than 10 minutes, I had trapped my first cat.

How to TNR:

When you are following this program, once you trap your cat, you make an appointment at the SPCA through TNR for a free spay/neuter and exam of the cat.  They also receive a rabies vaccine while under anesthesia.  Another thing that happens while the cat is out is the clipping of one ear tip. Once all this is done, you go pick the cat back up and take it home to recover in a safe, quiet, dark place.  I used a dog crate with a cover in the corner of my living room to recover my cat.  Once I saw the cat up and eating, I took the crate outside and let it go.  

Over the course of the next few months, I probably trapped 60 cats.  I followed the protocol of the TNR and once they were taken care of, I returned them to their homes.  There were fewer and fewer babies roaming the neighborhood, and I was so glad I would not be picking up dead kittens everywhere because people would run over them.

Benefits of TNR

• Reduces cat overpopulation: By preventing cats from reproducing, TNR reduces the number of kittens born each year, which helps to control the size of the cat population.
• Improves cat health: Cats that are spayed or neutered are less likely to roam and fight, which reduces their risk of injury and disease. Vaccinating cats also helps to prevent the spread of diseases.
  
• Saves taxpayer money: TNR is more cost-effective than traditional animal control methods, such as trapping and euthanizing cats. TNR programs rely on volunteers and donations, which helps to keep costs low.
• Supports a healthier ecosystem: Cats are natural predators and can help to control the population of rodents and other pests. By managing the cat population through TNR, we can maintain a healthy balance in the ecosystem.

Why TNR?

While TNR has been criticized by some who believe that cats should not be allowed to roam outdoors, it is important to note that community cats are often too wild to be adopted into homes. TNR provides a humane solution that allows cats to live out their lives in their outdoor homes while also managing their population.

Support TNR in your Community:

If you're interested in supporting TNR efforts in your community, there are many ways to get involved. You can volunteer with a local TNR organization, donate to support their efforts, or advocate for TNR policies with your local government. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of community cats and create healthier, more humane communities for all animals.

Rescue dogs, so many to choose from!

 My daughter has lost two of her dogs this last year and it was heartbreaking.  One was an older rat terrier and he was grumpy but loveable.  The other was a mixed breed rescue dog that came from a terrible hoarding situation and had many issues because of it.

We loved these two very much and miss them to this day; but I think my daughter is finally ready to get another dog or two and has been viewing rescues, shelters, and the pounds on the internet looking for just the right one.

I have been appalled at the sheer number of dogs that are currently looking for homes just in our area of this state.  It breaks my heart that so many dogs need a forever home.  These are all good dogs, but do not have pedigrees so they are viewed as less-than worthy.  

I have always had rescue dogs my whole life.  I currently have two; they are getting up there in years and I worry about losing them but for now they are mine and I love them so much.  I cannot tell you how much love and entertainment you get from a dog.  It seems that rescue dogs, unlike pedigree dogs, seem to realize how lucky they are when they find a forever home and they give back in large amounts of love.

In this current time, there just is no reason for so many dogs, cats, and other animals to be waiting for homes.  If people would just spay and neuter their pets, we could completely erase this problem.  However, for some reason, there are so many people who refuse to spay or neuter their pets.  

Maybe it is a money thing; but if so there are numerous low and no cost spay/neuter clinics around. Maybe they are misinformed about the overburdened pet population in our country and don't see the issue of having puppies all the time.  If so, there are so many ways to learn about how to be a responsible pet owner that you wonder why they don't already know this.

I firmly believe that we need to become a "No Kill" country and with a concerted effort by us all we could make that happen.  No Kill supports shelters and rescues in spay and neuter for their animals.  Trap-Neuter-Return programs catch feral cats and spay or neuter them then return them to their home communities to live out the rest of their lives without offspring.  

It is doable sometime in the future that we could have a No Kill country.  That is my prayer and hope.

Monday's Mood -- Pensive

My little Man!

Today, I sit and look at my little man and I have to realize that he is not quite as spry as he once was.  He no longer can jump up on the bed at night, so I carefully pick him up and tuck him under the covers.  He has trouble getting up in the recliner with me when I watch TV, so I have to lower the foot rest part way down and he uses it like a ramp to get up in my lap.  I am starting to believe that his sight is going and I frequently see "floaters" in his eyes when he looks up at me.



More and more, his mood is irritable and cranky, so I have to believe that he is hurting with his joints.  I give him Ultram from the vet when he appears extremely irritable, but I think he may need the medication more often now.  He does not have the energy he once had and he seems to frighten easily.  I worry about him.  He is my little man and I don't want to lose him.

KT on the stoop

On another note, the cats outside are doing well.  I still never could catch the female, Ditto. She is now having her second set of babies.  She had them on Saturday, I think because she was really big in the morning when I left for work and that evening she was very thin.  I am making sure she is getting plenty of food and water so she and her brood can be healthy.  The male, KT, is quite happy since his trip to the vet.  He lazes on the front stoop and goes for walks with me and the dogs.  He has even come in the house to visit for brief periods and now has his own box to sleep in by the front door, complete with blankets and towels for comfort and warmth.



I will again try to capture Ditto when I am sure she is finished nursing.  I really want her to get shots and be spayed so we have no more babies.

More on those cats!

Image via Wikipedia

Well, we now always have one of the black kittens sitting on the chair outside; every now and then the other will show back up and sit out there with the litter-mate, but then that little cat will disappear for days.

The one who stays on the porch, KT, is becoming friendly.  I still don't know if it is a boy or girl, but it will now rub against my legs and let me touch him/her to scratch its head.  I have even picked it up briefly.

It probably helps that we set canned food out twice a day for these little black fuzz-balls.  Hopefully, soon I will entice KT into the house and then I can see about getting medical care done.

My dogs, Satchmo and Austen, both seem oblivious to these cats unless they start darting around.  Then they want to go play with them.

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