Kitty Querries and Responses on Training a Cat and More
Q: Do cats respond to training?
A: Yes, cat training is not as frustrating as most doubters believe it is. Cats are not as responsive to training as Spot or Fido are but they are trainable. Tasty treats given as positive reinforcement is assuredly the main means to train your cat.
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 — Who can ignore a purring kitty? Kittens purr in response to their mother cat’s purr to assist in bonding them. It is generally assumed that the purring is a vibration of the larynx as air is pushed though it. It is also believed that purring is a voluntary action.
Q: Why are the reasons a number of people 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 develop a reaction because their immune system is attempting to fight the foreign protein and creates histamines.
Q: How do you change unwanted cat behavior such as nipping?
A: The best way to halt unwanted 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 need to do this at the time of the unwanted 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 adult cat has started 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 visit 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 counters?
A: This is the most asked about cat behavior problems and can be a tough one. Cats like high perches and they often find food or food smells on counters and tables. It is best to keep the surfaces clean and to use something like foil or double sided tape to keep cats off the tables.
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