Training a cat
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The amount of training and exercise a cat needs varies considerably depending on the bred and where its home is.
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A cat living in a city apartment may get little exercise, whereas cat in rural areas may be allowed to run free.
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Apartment cats may need to be furnished with toys, cardboard tubes, or other play equipment to provide them with a means to exercise.
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Owners of variable purebred or show cats may not want their animals to run free where they risk injury, loss, or unwanted litters.
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Outdoor cats get plenty of exercise; however, they run a greater risk of injury from fights, of death or injury on the roadways and of contracting diseases and parasites.
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Cats living indoors should have a clean litter box and plenty of water.
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Owners should be aware of plants that may be poisonous to their pets and of other dangers if the cat is left alone for long periods.
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To protect the furniture, cats should be trained to use a scratching post.
Cats scratch
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Cat use this to sharpen their claws, to remove loose scales and fragments of dry skin, and to leave a mark for other cats.
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Kittens should be trained to use a scratching post as soon as they are weaned.
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The kitten should be held near the post and its claws placed on the post.
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The kitten will soon learn what to do and will usually continue to use the same post.
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A cloth-covered post may offer the cat an alternative to clawing soft furniture and draperies.
Correct toilet
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Training is easier with cats than with dogs because cats naturally cover their urine and faeces.
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If a mother cat does a good job of raising her litter, she will probably train them to use a litter box.
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If a kitten does not know what the litter box is for, one can train it easily.
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Holding its front paws, the owner should show it how to scratch in the litter material.
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Every time the kitten appears to be looking for a place to urinate or defecate, it should be placed in the litter box.
Urine spraying
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It is a natural part of a cat’s behavior.
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The male cat will spraying walls and furniture to mark its territory.
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If one can catch the cat in the act, spray it with a water pistol.
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Another alternative to try is to hang aluminum foil around the spraying area.
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One can try feeding the cat in the target areas, because cats will usually not spray near feeding areas.
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Some cats can be trained to sit, beg, jump through hoops, and do other tricks.
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Training should be similar to the methods used with a dog, with short training periods, firm verbal commands and instant rewards.
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Whether a cat learns any tricks depends on its intelligence and whether it wants to oblige.
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In any case, training should not be forced on a cat that does not appear interested.
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Last modified: Thursday, 7 June 2012, 10:38 AM