Kitten Behavior
Cat Training: Behavioral Modification Training
TIP: Be sure your home accommodates your cat's needs, by creating an environment that provides a natural lifestyle for your cat.
This involves learning to read your cat's "body language" and requires consistency, lots of love and plenty of patience. For most cats, training is well worth the effort and helps prevent many behavioral problems from developing later in life.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
If you are lucky enough to start out with a kitten, teaching her good habits from day one is your best bet. The minute she walks through your door, by giving her a toy to play with, a post to scratch and a litter box to use, you are teaching her what is appropriate to play with and scratch and where it's acceptable for her to do her business.
Using positive reinforcement helps achieve the best results. Observe your cat's natural behaviors; figure out what she likes the most; a toy, treat, or love and use that to reward correct behavior.
If you see your kitten doing something dangerous use negative reinforcement to stop her right away so she doesn't hurt herself. For example, if she's chewing on a toxic plant immediately redirect her attention to an appropriate toy or activity. Your kitten must not associate you with the unpleasant stimulus or she might blame you or become afraid of you. This way, she'll blame the item used i.e. the whistle or water.
Despite our best efforts, problems arise that can not be prevented and require treatment.
Medical conditions that may be responsible must be eliminated first by your vet. Generally a thorough physical exam with or without laboratory tests is required. Referral to a Behavioral Specialist is the next step. A written, detailed history is essential. An at home visit is best, but telephone consults are an option. Behavioral specialists try to pinpoint the exact problem and the stimulus (what triggers the bad behavior) then make recommendations accordingly.
Methods used for behavioral modification vary according to the specific problem. A variety are available but a combination of physical (termed behavioral redirection) and medical intervention work best to resolve most problems. Physical methods, used include positive (toy, treat, love) and negative (loud noise, bell, whistle) reinforcements and obnoxious stimuli. Obnoxious stimuli are strong odors, like perfume that cats dislike. They are used to get cats to avoid certain items, furniture and areas by making them smell bad.
COMPLEMENTARY THERAPY
Four types of medications may be prescribed depending on the specific problem.
1. Antianxiety i.e. Valium
2. Mood Altering i.e. Buspar
3. Antidepressants i.e. Clomicalm
4. Mood Elevators i.e. Prozac, Paxil
HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES
It is important to try to prevent the cause of the stress as much as possible; this is not always possible. If your cat is injured in a fight, then Arnica Montana 6c (leopard's bane) can bring relief.
BACH FLOWER REMEDIES
Use the Bach Flower Rescue Remedy which is made of flowers: cherry plum, clematis, impatiens, rock rose and star of Bethlehem to help calm down a stressed cat. Dose: 2-3 drops in mouth or food two to three times a day or 4 drops in the water if you are not going to be home.
Copyright 2007 Dr. Carol OsborneGet FREE pet advice from Dr. Carol at http://CarolonPets.com/Visit Dr. Carol's blog at http://CarolonPets.com/blog/Buy PAAWS and VitaLife dog and cat vitamin supplements and other pet health products at http://DrCarol.com/
How do you train a kitten?
My kitten play fights alot. I know this is normal and as she grows up she will settle down. But right now she's obsessed with hands and bites really hard, uses her claws...I just want her to learn to be gentle. I have read that if I immediately stop play when she gets too rough she will stop and get the hint that being too rough equals no more play, but I have my doubts it will work. Whenever I stop playing it doesnt seem to phase her. She turns away and instantly plays with something else. Just wondering if anyone has any websites on kitten behavior and training tips.
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what is up with my cat?
i thought my cat had worms when i saw a little white larvae like thing around where it was at. i check its litter to see if there are any in its stool and their are none. i am yet to find any anywhere on her or in the house. does this mean she doesn't have any? she eats fine, acts normal and doesn't do anything out of the normal kitten behavior...whats wrong then?
i cant afford to go to the vet right now and i really love my kitten, is there any way to keep her safe and healthy withought spreading the worms? this is a special bonding time because we just got her and shes so young...i dont want to quarentine her and have her become a loner...
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what is the best new cat book to buy?
I seem to spend my life researching about new kittens, behaviour and how to look after them. Do you suggest any books that will help me whilst Frank is growing? He's about 16 weeks now! Thanks
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Is it normal for my 8 month old kitten to be making so many messes?
I want to know if it's normal kitten behavior and they grow out of it..
Or does she just need to be trained better?
I've had her for almost 2 months and she knocks over anything she can.
This includes grape juice on my bed !
She also unrolls the toilet paper all the time..
I've taught her not to do it and I stop her every time now, but she keeps trying.
I realize that she is probably just trying to get my attention, so I play with her.. But this is constant! I can't always play!
The most recent problem is that she "went #2" ALL over my bathroom. I woke up to it this morning.
She went in a towel and smushed it around.. But her litterbox is untouched. This has never happened.
Could it be because I sprayed deodorizer on it?
I only did one spray, but it's the first time I've ever done it.
I know it isn't the litter because she used it yesterday, before I sprayed the deodorizer...
This is my first cat and I'm taking care of her alone so please help.
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Please help my kitten wont stop meowing!!?
My kitten Ziggy is 21 weeks old and when he gets into trouble we put him into the laundry room. We also put him in there at night because he will get into everything (typical kitten behavior) well when he get put in there he meows at the top of his lungs!! until we let him out in the morning. We do ignore him. That does not work!! It did with our other cat and she is a very well behaved cat:) We have taken him to the vet to get blood work and a physical done and he is in tip top condition. We have also tried calming air freshener's and it helps a little bit but its not exactly shutting him up. But at least he will go to sleep now.. Some please help me im at my wits end with this little guy!! oh and did i mention if you walk out of the room he will start meow... I really need some help!!
I play with him alot getting him fixed is a good idea thank you :) and he has alot of toys!!! plus my other cat to play with... he cant stand being left alone for more than five minutes he gets played with and loved so much more than my other animals and is never just satisfied
Thank you jkittens he does have all those things but the night light and the t-shirt I will try that for sure!! I would have never even thought of that :)
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