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 tough as many cat lovers consider it is. Kitties may not be as responsive to training as canines are but they are trainable. Tasty treats presented as positive reinforcement is certainly the best means to train a cat.

Q: Why and how do kittens purr?

A: Grown cats purr because they are happy and contented and to play on the emotions of humans — who can resist a purring kitty? Kittens purr in answer to their mother cat’s purr to help bond 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 is the reason certain people 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 have a reaction because their immune system is attempting to combat the foreign protein and creates histamines.

Q: How do you curtail unwanted cat behavior such as nipping?

A: The best way to break 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 should do this at the time of the unwanted behavior.

Q: How do you litter train a cat?

A: You really shouldn’t have to do any training for a cat to make use of a litter pan, but if your previously litter trained 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 vet. 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 counter tops?

A: This is one of the most asked about cat behavior issues and can be a challenging one. Cats like high platforms and they can find food or food smells on tables and counters. It is best to keep the counters clean and to use something like foil or double sided tape to keep cats off the counters.

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