Cat Questions and Answers on Cat Training and More
Q: Is cat training possible?
A: Yes, training a cat is not as frustrating as the majority of people consider it is. Cats may not be as responsive to training as Fido or Rover are but they can be trained. Tasty treats given as positive reinforcement is certainly the best procedure to successful cat training.
Q: Why and how do cats purr?
A: Adult cats purr because they are happy and contented and to play on the emotions of humans — Can you resist a purring cat? Kittens purr in response to their mother cat’s purr to assist in bonding them. It is usually theorized 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: Why are the reasons quite a few folks are allergic to cats?
A: Cat allergies are caused by the proteins in cat dander originating from the cat’s saliva. The dander dries and becomes airborne. People with cat allergies develop a reaction because their immune system is attempting to fight the alien protein and creates histamines.
Q: How do you change unwanted cat behavior like scratching?
A: The best way to halt naughty 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 must do this at the time of the bad behavior.
Q: How do you litter train a cat?
A: You really shouldn’t be required to do any training for a cat to make use of a litter pan, but if your adult cat has begun to avoid the litter box you need to determine the cause. The cat may have a urinary tract infection in which case you need to go to the veterinarian. If it is just too dirty you need to keep it cleaner. If you have changed 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 tables?
A: This is the most asked about cat behavior issues and can be a tough one. Cats like high platforms and they often find food or food smells on tables and counters. It is best to keep the surfaces clean and to use something like foil or double sided tape to keep cats off the counters.