Are you desperate because your cat keeps scratching furniture, peeing out of the litter box or some other unpleasant thing? You may be willing to do anything to get him to stop, but it is important that you understand that there are correct and incorrect ways to educate a cat. You need to find a way to educate him that not only interrupts the unwanted behavior, but also keeps your bond solid and intact.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Understanding Why Cats Are Misbehaving
Step 1. Learn about the medical reasons why cats behave badly
As much as you may be convinced that your cat is misbehaving simply to spite you, there may be medical or behavioral reasons behind her attitude. For example, he may pee around the house due to a urinary problem (urinary tract infection or kidney disease) that prevents him from reaching the litter box in time. Your veterinarian will be able to determine if a medical problem is at the root of the unwanted behavior.
- Pica is a medical disorder characterized by the ingestion or chewing of inedible objects, such as plastic or cardboard. In case your cat keeps chewing or eating unusual things, it could be a symptom of a dental or gastrointestinal disorder.
- Dementia can cause him to meow at night.
- Any medical problems must first be ruled out before considering behavioral disorders.
Step 2. Learn about the behavioral disorders that can underlie an inadequate attitude
If your vet has been able to rule out any medical causes, it's time to start taking a closer look at the cat's behavior. One of the most common behavioral causes is stress. Cats do not adapt easily to changes (such as a new house, a new pet or a newborn), therefore any changes in the environment around them can stress them and cause them to scratch furniture, splash urine or more.
- A cat can misbehave if he is bored. In the event that he does not have enough toys to play with or does not receive the necessary attention, he could devote himself to another activity, such as tearing the toilet paper, to overcome boredom. Remember that the cat is probably not aware that she is behaving badly - she is simply doing something to keep herself busy.
- The cat can behave inappropriately if it has not been trained properly. Although cats are usually very intelligent, they need to be trained to have a correct attitude, otherwise they will not know what is right and what is wrong and will behave however they like.
Step 3. Familiarize yourself with how cats learn
Their way of learning is quite simple: they repeat the positive experiences and avoid the negative ones. It is vital to remember that they do not learn through punishment. The punishment will only serve to confuse and scare the cat, instead of teaching it that what it is doing is wrong. Eventually he will try to stay away from you and this will weaken your bond.
Step 4. Learn what educational measures are ineffective
As mentioned, punishment will not stop negative behavior. Shouting and hitting the cat are punitive forms that should never be used to educate them. Even the use of a spray of water is not recommended, although many people use it.
- Although it may seem effective as a deterrent method, sprinkling water on him will only serve to teach him to avoid a certain attitude when you are nearby. It can also scare him and make him suspicious of you.
- Rubbing his nose in his urine when he gets it out of the litter box is an ineffective educational method. In fact, the cat will remember that place as a great place to relieve himself.
- Taking him by the scruff should not be used as a punitive method. It can be a method of stopping negative behavior, but it is ineffective as a punishment.
Part 2 of 2: Learning How to Properly Educate the Cat
Step 1. Bond with your cat by creating moments of fun and gratification
While it may seem unnecessary to stop negative behavior, the extra attention and playtime could divert his energy from inappropriate behavior. Spending more time with him is also meant to lessen the lectures and punishments you may be resorting to. The greater the chance for the cat to enjoy your company and trust you, the less likely it is to misbehave due to stress or boredom.
In addition to the game, you can also give him massages
Step 2. Make the inappropriate behavior unwelcome or impossible for him to do
Because cats learn by avoiding experiences that have negative consequences, it can be helpful to associate a negative feeling with their inappropriate behavior. For example, if he has the habit of getting his nails done on the sofa, you can educate him by making the sofa difficult to scratch. Covering it with double-sided tape or aluminum foil is a great deterrent.
- Making certain elements of his environment unsightly in your absence is called "environmental punishment".
- If you have the habit of jumping on the kitchen counter or on the table, try to place a baking sheet balanced on the edge of these surfaces. When the cat jumps on it, the pan will fall to the ground producing a loud noise, the cat will not like the sound and landing on an uneven surface will cause it to lose balance. Eventually he will learn not to jump where he shouldn't.
- If he continues to eat the plants, or urinate in their soil, make them unsightly by spraying a natural deterrent such as Bitter Apple (based on apple) or Bitter Orange (based on bitter orange) on the leaves. You can also cover the earth with aluminum foil or gravel.
- Even some deterrent devices on the market can cause inappropriate behavior to become inconvenient for the cat. For example, you can find upside-down mouse traps that blow up when touched and devices with motion sensors that spray a jet of compressed air. These devices are available at pet stores and are useful for keeping the cat away from places where it is not allowed to go.
Step 3. Make the positive behavior particularly rewarding
The more positive reinforcement you give your cat for correct behavior, the more likely it is to repeat it. For example, when you see him nailing his scratching post instead of your furniture, reward him with a moment of play together, food or praise. Make sure you reward him while he behaves well, and not afterwards, otherwise he may not understand why you are rewarding him.
Advice
- Your cat will probably not stop misbehaving overnight. It may take some time before he is able to associate inappropriate behavior with a negative experience and correct behavior with a positive one.
- The ideal is to remove him from any negative behavior as soon as possible and while he is still small. Kittens are usually easier to educate because they are still getting to know their surroundings, unlike an adult cat who is familiar with the environment in which it is found and more ingrained habits.
- Remember that environmental punishment can be ineffective if the cat does not wait until you are gone before behaving inappropriately.
- If he continues to misbehave even after any medical causes have been ruled out and the attempt to make inappropriate behavior unpleasant has not worked, consider going to a behavioral veterinarian. He will be able to provide you with qualified advice to effectively correct unwanted behavior.
Warnings
- Do not use a deterrent device, such as a real mousetrap, that can harm the cat. While it can stop negative behavior, it may also instill fear and distrust of you in your cat.
- Don't use a noisy deterrent if your cat is hyperactive or nervous. The fright caused by the deterrent could worsen the animal's nervousness and lead it to further inappropriate behavior due to stress. He may also be so frightened that he thinks it is dangerous to wander around the house.
