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Issues When You Don't Train Your Cat

Failure to train a cat can have very negative effects on both the cat and the owner. Without some control, a cat is unable to comprehend and regulate its habits, which leads to issues that will be harder to train out of later.

There are some areas that require a lot of focus and training; otherwise, the outcomes will be very frustrating for the owner. Litter training is arguably the easiest to handle but if not trained early on, it could lead to a lot of issues later. For example, if the litter box is not easily accessible, the cat will simply just go somewhere else. A cat that hasn't been taught to use a litter box can eventually stink up the entire house as cat poop can have a strong odor, not to mention the ammonia in their urine. To learn how to train your cat to use the litter box click here.

The scratching of furniture and other household things like curtains is another area that, if not addressed, it will probably turn into a bad habit later. If you do not correct this issue, it will almost always result in a worst behavior later, and the worst part is it is much harder to train a cat out of a bad habit once they have been doing it for a while. There are several techniques that can be used to train a cat out of a bad habit. For basic training continue reading below.

Basic Cat Training

When it comes to training your cat, there are several feline-based approaches that are recommended for the best results. The two clearest methods to try is positive reinforcement and an aversion stimulus.

Some owners use strategies like spraying their cats with water or making a loud startling noise to express disapproval for bad behaviors. These techniques can be highly effective in some situations, but if not done correctly, it can sometimes make your cat fearful and confused because it cannot fully comprehend what the owner is trying to tell them. Some cats actually love being sprayed with water, which would make spraying them absolutely useless and teach your cat that their bad behavior rewards them with play. As a result, sometimes these methods can backfire, which is why it is so important to be consistent and try each method out one at a time.

The best method is to use a strong, demanding voice to express displeasure when the cat engages in a certain unwanted behavior. This is another way to help your cat comprehend the consequences of its actions. For example, if your cat starts to scratch your furniture, use a strong demanding voice and say the words “no” and/or “bad” in a disapproving manner. This helps the cat understand the word associated with an unwanted behavior in the future. Most will agree that physically abusive conduct, such as beating a cat, does not benefit your pet and will just make them fear its owner. The cat will experience behavioral changes as a result of physical beatings, which will ultimately lead to high levels of stress and other undesirable behavior patterns.

Catch Them in The Act:

The most important thing to understand is that you need to catch them doing the crime and deal with it right away as it is critical to understand that they have a short attention span and will not understand if you scold them after the incident have occurred. Therefore, before beginning any specific instruction, it is important to carefully watch the cat during its initial introduction to whatever the situation is and catch them in the act so you can scold them right away. Consistency is key. If you do not do it consistently, they will not understand your command anymore and will simply keep committing the unwanted behavior.

To learn more in detail on how to properly discipline your cat, click here.

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