Cats are undoubtedly adorable! Their independence makes them a very good choice for those of us who are on the more introverted side. Yet, they can also be mischievous and downright challenging to manage!
All kinds of issues can arise when our cats misbehave: scratching furniture, biting, or refusing to use the litter box. When they do these things, discipline might seem necessary! But what kind of discipline are we even talking about here?
Well, disciplining a cat requires a very good balance. They’re sensitive animals after all, and improper training methods can harm your relationship with them.
To help you handle catty situations in the most effective way possible, here are some do’s and don’ts to keep in mind when disciplining your cat!
1. Positive Reinforcement
If you wish to nurture a purr-fectly behaved cat, turn to the magic of positive reinforcement as your secret weapon! Reward them with a yummy morsel or some playtime when they exhibit the good behavior you wanna see.
Example: Your cat uses their scratching post instead of your couch! Your response? A delicious treat, their favorite toy, or some loving chin scratches and words of affirmation (we all love those, don’t we?).
Let’s talk about what not to do, though. Don’t yell at your cat! Seriously! Don’t. Raising your voice or shouting at your cat won’t get the message across. Cat’s simply can’t understand scolding like we do, so instead it frightens them.
Anxiety and stress aren’t off the table either! All in all, yelling can in fact have the opposite effect of what you want. Your cat might grow more distant, they might trust you less and they may start acting up even more.
So, keep it calm, and reward the positive!
2. Redirect Their Attention
Cats will be cats, and sometimes that means scratching your favorite chair or knocking over the plants you worked your bum off to keep alive! Instad of getting annoyed or frustrated, gently guide them toward the behavior you do actually want to see. How?
For instance, if your kitty is tearing into the couch and driving you crazy, place a scratching post nearby and encourage them to use it instead! Use the method from the previous step (a.k.a. positive reinforcement) and reward them when they comply!
Besides this, here is a little golden rule to follow: never, ever, use physical discipline, no matter how tempting it may be in the heat of the moment! Hitting or physically correcting your cat doesn’t teach them what’s right, at all.
What physical disciplining does is never good – it creates fear and mistrust, sometimes even aggression. And I am certain you don’t want that! That’s why building trust and guiding behaviour with patience is far more effective.
3. Be Consistent
Consistency is the most important step to training any animal, and that includes cats! Establish rules and stick to them. If you don’t want your cat on the kitchen counter, ensure everyone in your household enforces this rule consistently and all the time!
Don’t change the rules frequently. Cat’s aren’t machines that can update to terms and conditions which constantly shift around! Sending mixed signals by sometimes allowing bad behavior can confuse your cat. This means a harder time at learning!
Cats need their predictability to thrive! They learn best when boundaries are clear and not flipping on and off like switches. Cats aren’t mind readers, and changing rules will frustrate the both of you!
In summary, set clear expectations and you’ll help your cat develop positive habits that will actually stick!
4. Provide Environmental Fun
When it comes to cats, they often misbehave out of sheer boredom. Those mood swings that drive you up the wall, like knocking over items or darting across the room at 3 a.m. might just mean “I’m bored, for the love of God! Entertain me!”
The solution? Create a stimulating environment! That means that you should provide toys, climbing trees, and interactive play to keep them mentally and physically stimulated. Prevent mischief before it starts, essentially!
Remember, cat’s aren’t naughty just for the sake of it. What we think of as bad behaviour is often a sign of their unaddressed needs! By addressing them, you can transform their behavior (and keep your apartment less of a middle-of-the-night mess!).
5. Use Deterrents Wisely
Sometimes, the best way to manage a curious cat is to make certain places look less appealing. Use safe deterrents, like double-sided tape or aluminum foil! This will keep cats away from places you don’t want them to explore.
Don’t spray them with water, though! Although it may seem like the easiest thing in the world to do in order to solve your problems, spraying water can make your cat fear you and damage your trust. Choose deterrents that don’t involve confrontation!
If you use confrontational deterrents, what can happen is that your kitty-cat could start to associate you with unpleasantries rather than love and security! And that is, of course, bad.
6. Address Behavior Immediately
Picture this: you come home to find your shoes nibbled on and your cat nonchalantly licking their paws. Screaming “BAD CAT!” for the next hour won’t do much. It will only confuse them!
Take a deep breath. Think. Cats live in the moment, so scolding them hours later for their shenanigans won’t help. The trick is to respond right away!
In practice, this is how it looks like: you catch your cat in the act and gently clap your hands. There! As simple as that, and your cat will associate the negative consequence with their behavior. Timing is critical!
The immediate response helps the cat connect their actions with the consequence – in this case, the loud noise – and it will paw-e the way for better behavior!
7. Understand Their Body Language
The key to preventing your cat’s naughty ways? Become an expert at reading their body language! Watch for signs of stress, like flattened ears, dilated pupils, or tail twitching.
These can all be indicators of an impending act of mischief. Remember, cats are great communicators, just not in human lingo! So start tuning in to their subtle signs! You’ll handle your cat’s behavior before it even becomes a problem.
Another thing: f your cat is acting out, it might be due to stress or health issues. Don’t rule out these possibilities either! Consult a vet if you suspect that somthing deeper might be going on. Better be safe than sorry!
8. Make Unwanted Behaviors Unappealing
Is your cat’s a wire-chewing fiend? Outsmart them: fight back with a pet-safe bitter spray! A quick spritz of pet-saf bitter solution can deter nibbles without any harm, to your cords, and your cat’s tummy.
Cats avoid bitter tastes, so this is safe, and doesn’t require you to sit guard over every exposed wire in your home. But remember, prevention is always better than cure, so cat-proofing your wires with cable management solutions is another purrfect tactic.
At the same time, avoid using force or punishment to correct the behavior. We already talked about this! But if your cat, for example, scratches you during playtime, don’t grab and hold them down. Instead, encourage a positive alternative.
9. Be Patient And Gentle
When your cat stays cool and collected at times that would normally send them into a tizzy, they deserve a high five (or a treat, they’ll prefer that). Show them that staying calm when stressed is a paw-sitive behavior that you both need (and find useful)!
Have you ever found yourself dealing with a chatty catty? Here’s a manipulation tactic to use: when your kitty is meowing excessively for attention, resist the temptation to cuddle them! Wait until they calm down, and then reward the peaceful behavior.
This teaches cats that keeping their claws retracted and their hisses to themselves is the path to rewards and good times. If you have to be patient with them, they have to be patient too!