Cat Q&A on Training a Cat and More
Q: Is cat training possible?
A: Yes, cat training is not as challenging as most cat people assume it is. Kitties are not as amenable to training as dogs are but they are trainable. Treats presented as positive reinforcement is assuredly the primary route to train your cat.
Q: Why and how do kittens make a purring sound?
A: Adult kitties purr because they are happy and contented and to manipulate humans — Who can ignore a purring cat? 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 voicebox as air is pushed though it. It is also believed that purring is a voluntary action.
Q: Why are the reasons certain 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 demonstrate a reaction because their immune system is beginning to fight the enemy protein and creates histamines.
Q: How do you halt naughty cat behavior such as biting?
A: The best way to change 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 undesirable behavior.
Q: How do you litter train a cat?
A: You really shouldn’t be required to do any training for a cat to make use of a litter pan, 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 go to the vet. If it is just too dirty you need to keep it cleaner. If you have started using 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 the most asked about cat behavior issues and can be a challenging one. Cats like elevated places and they often find food or food smells 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 tables.