Kitty Q&A on Training a Cat and Cat Behavior
Q: Is it possible to train a cat?
A: Yes, training a cat is not as challenging as many cat people assume it is. Cats most likely are not as amenable to training as Fido or Rover are but they can be trained. Tasty treats presented as positive reinforcement is most likely the primary method to train a cat.
Q: Why and how do pet cats make a purring sound?
A: Adult kitties 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 mostly assumed 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 a number of individuals are allergic to cats?
A: Cat allergies are caused by the proteins in cat dander coming 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 combat the foreign protein and creates histamines.
Q: How do you break naughty cat behavior such as nipping?
A: The best way to halt undesirable 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 naughty behavior.
Q: How do you litter train a cat?
A: You really shouldn’t be required to do any training for a cat to use a litter box, but if your previously litter trained cat has begun 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 go to 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 the kitchen table?
A: This is the most asked about cat behavior problems and can be a challenging one. Cats like high platforms and they can find food or food odors 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.