How to punish a cat for bad behavior, is it possible to beat a cat for educational purposes?

Domestic cats are complex, highly organized creatures, with which problems can often arise due to a person’s lack of understanding of her reactions to various actions. To improve the quality of life not only for cats, but also for humans, you need to understand what conditions are preferable for a pet, their social organization, their habits - how they take food and water, use the toilet. Knowing the habits of an animal will help a person understand how to punish a cat and whether it needs to be done in a given situation. There are several common features that are characteristic of all cats.

A cat by nature is a hunter. Over the course of evolution, cats have developed the physical and behavioral characteristics they need to hunt. The natural rhythms of the animal are adapted to the time of day when its main prey - small animals and birds - are most vulnerable - at dawn and at sunset. At this time, cats are most active, and activity is also higher in spring and summer.

A person needs to understand the habits and habits of a cat

The cat is a territorial animal. The area considered by the cat to be its own is a space in which there are resources necessary for survival and which must be protected. Therefore, many cats do not get along well with other cats, not only in the same house, but sometimes even in neighboring ones. When its boundaries are violated, the animal experiences a strong sense of danger, which can lead to both aggression and, conversely, an attempt to hide. Cats mark their territory in various ways - by rubbing against objects, leaving scratches or markings with urine.

Cats have a developed sense of smell; they are exposed to smells and sounds that are inaccessible to humans. They use scents, along with their keen sense of smell, as a means of communicating with each other, defining territory boundaries, and to keep other cats at a distance. Cats create scent marks that make them feel more confident. When they are calm and do not feel threatened, glands on their faces are used for marking. If the cat is unsure of its safety, then it may begin to use stronger signs by spraying urine.

Cats are very attentive, they have skills that allow them to react to danger with lightning speed, avoid it, noticing the probable source of danger. Cats can be bothered by sounds and smells that are common to humans, mostly new and unexpected ones. An animal can very quickly go on the attack if they are disturbed or unexpectedly frightened by a sudden movement or sound.

Cats react very quickly to danger

Cats generally fit well into human life. However, it happens that an animal cannot adapt well to new conditions, which sometimes causes problems. When under stress for a long time, a cat's behavior may show changes such as refusal of the litter box, fearfulness, or aggression. These reactions are part of their natural behavior, but do not always fit into human expectations from pets.

Raising kittens

When a kitten appears in the house, the first thing you need to do is give it time to get used to its new environment.
Like any small child, the animal will be mischievous. The owner's goal is not to punish for mischief, but to educate. Pets do not understand the reasons why they are punished. The generally accepted rules by which people live are impossible for them to understand

That is why it is important to immediately accustom the kitten to the tray, scratching post and show the place where the food is.

Breeders recommend adopting kittens at the age of 2-3 months. During this period, the baby, following the example of the mother cat, learns the rules of communication with people and behavior in the house.

To prevent peeling of wallpaper, you should buy a scratching post. And show by your own example how to use it.

For every correct action, pet and praise the kitten. Having remembered the praise, the animal will definitely want to repeat it. As a rule, the process of raising kittens goes quickly.

For every correct action, pet and praise the kitten

How to stop a puppy from littering the house

Little puppies learn and experience the world like children, and the owner’s task is to teach the pet good manners from the first day it arrives in the house. Puppies are in quarantine for the first 3.5 - 4 months of life due to mandatory immunization against viral infections. Accordingly, all this time they are in the apartment and are forced to crap in the house. During isolation, the puppy develops a strong habit of going to the toilet in its den.

There are several secrets that will help stop your puppy from shitting all over the house:

• It is necessary to choose a separate room for the baby’s toilet - it’s good if it is a balcony or a storage room.
• Cover the entire floor surface in the designated room with paper or a diaper.
• Every time after sleeping and eating, take the puppy for natural needs to the space allocated for the toilet.
• Do not let the pet out of this room until the pet has done its business.
• After emptying the intestines and bladder, praise your pet vigorously so that he understands that the owner approves of his actions.
• During the day, carefully monitor the baby, and at the first signs of going to the toilet (sniffing, circling in one place), immediately pick up the dog and carry it to the room for defecation. You cannot grab a puppy when he has already started peeing; until he is 4 months old, he does not fully control this process and cannot stop it. There will be only one result - a frightened pet and a path of urine throughout the apartment.
• Gradually, your four-legged friend will choose one place in the designated room to defecate, then all other diapers and newspapers can be removed.

Puppies under 4 months of age practically cannot tolerate it if access to the diaper room is limited (the door is closed); you must be prepared for a puddle to appear anywhere. Moreover, during this period, the baby may simply not reach the diaper if it is far away. You can’t scold a dog for this, this is a physiological feature of the body, it’s not the pet’s fault.

If there was a “problem” and the dog went in the wrong place, although the owner tried his best and did everything correctly - in no case should you shout at the baby, physically punish or poke your nose into a pile (puddle). This can lead to terrible stress and fear for the owner; as a result, the puppy will crap, but hide it under carpets, pillows, bedspreads, or even eat the object of the owner’s anger. Further, the owner’s fear will negatively affect the building of relationships and subsequent education.

Basic Skills

Below you can familiarize yourself with the features of teaching cats basic skills.

Command “Come to me!” - a simple way to force a four-legged friend to come to the owner at the first call. To train him to this command, you will need to use your pet’s favorite treats. When inviting your cat to its favorite food, you need to remain calm

It is very important to pronounce the pet’s nickname (for example, “Come to me, Barsik”). In the first days, the kitten is unlikely to come on its own

He will need to be brought to the bowl of treats, saying the command “Come to me!” Soon the pet will be able to associate the command with receiving its favorite treat and will independently come when called. From now on, you can call the kitten to you in any other circumstances, without forgetting to reward the animal with tasty food or a piece of meat. It is also important to praise your pet and stroke it affectionately. The Bengals and the British learn this command fairly quickly. Command "Stop!" - a very important skill that can save a four-legged friend in situations where he is in danger. At the beginning of the exercises, the bent arm will serve as a barrier for the cat. As soon as the kitten begins to move on its own initiative, you need to bend your arm, blocking its path, and say “Stop, Barsik!” In case of obedience, the animal should be rewarded with its favorite treat. If the cat runs further, it is recommended to start the exercise over again. In order for the furry purr to master the “Stop!” command, it will take a lot of hard training. It is especially important to study the command when the cat is about to visit the street. The command “Sit!” allows you to limit your pet’s physical activity for a short period of time. During training, the team must position themselves at the same level as the animal (on the floor). At the moment when the kitten begins to sit down, you should give the command “Sit!” As soon as the animal sits down, you need to reward it with your favorite treat. If the furry purr does not want to sit down, you can lightly press on the rump and hold it in a sitting position until you receive a treat.

Note! Representatives of the Abyssinian and Bengal breeds, with appropriate training, can fetch light objects

What aerosols are best to use for repelling?

When folk remedies don’t help and the owners are completely desperate, aerosols and special chemicals can come to the rescue that can scare away both an adult cat that is shitting and a kitten that cannot remember the location of the potty.

There are two main types of sprays which are:

• scare away cats;
• attract cats.

You can choose your own litter box training tactics. It all depends on whether you want to attract the cat with a smell to the place where he should directly do his business, or whether you want to discourage him from all his “favorite” places and simply leave him no choice.

The cost of such toilet training products is quite reasonable.

When a pet categorically refuses to go to the toilet and at the same time spoils property and things, the owner can often reach a state of despair.

However, you should not rush to conclusions and think that your cat is doing his dirty tricks to spite you. It is quite possible that a specific reason led to this behavior, which must be identified.

Let's look at all the steps to raising a kitten

Separation from family

The most important point is not to take the kitten away from its mother too early. Some give their babies away at the age of one month, but the kittens are not yet ready to separate from their family. The optimal age for weaning is 2-3 months. Then the little purrs are ready for independent life. As soon as the pet can independently “plan” its day, and not run after its mother, then it is ready to move to a new family.

Try not to delay the education process. In the first six months of life, the foundation is laid on which your pet’s entire behavior is based.

Mode

The regime is necessary not only for children. This also applies to kittens. Feed at the same time, in a specific place and from an individual bowl. Do not allow the animal to eat in different corners of the apartment. If there is a feeding area, then the pet should eat only there. Do not feed from the table. The kitten will quickly get used to this. And then he will begin to climb onto the table and take what he wants, not paying attention to your indignation.

Feeding

Don't indulge your culinary whims. Of course, the food must be complete, balanced, and healthy. But if the kitten starts to turn its nose up, and you immediately replace it with something that it adores, then don’t be surprised that the animal begins to manipulate you. It understands that if you snort and not touch, say, porridge, they will immediately exchange it for your favorite meat or food. Hence the excessive pickiness. It will be almost impossible to fight it in the future. And this will bring a lot of inconvenience to you.

Tray training

One aspect of raising a kitten is litter box training. The process is not immediate, but try to achieve complete obedience in this matter. Even a one-time “trip” past the tray should entail your reaction. The only thing is that the cat should be punished as quickly as possible. If you do this after a few hours, the animal will no longer understand why. And he will take revenge on you.

Don't forget to change the filler on time. Cats are very clean. And if the toilet is full, then even a very well-mannered kitten will not go about its business in it. And too high sides in the tray can cause the kitten to use anything other than the designated space as a toilet. As a result, the entire education process will go down the drain.

scratching post

It shouldn't scare your pet. Start training your kitten from childhood. Otherwise, your furniture and wallpaper will be in trouble. You can purchase a wall-mounted one that is attached to a vertical surface. Or you can use a thick vertical “stick” tied with thick twine and mounted on a stable stand. Or you can do it yourself. To do this, take a piece of board or plywood. Using a furniture stapler, attach a piece of carpet or very thick fabric. Once the scratching post is in the puffs, replace it. Otherwise, the animal will spread to your furniture.

Playing with a kitten

Do not use your hands or feet while playing. Otherwise, in the future the kitten may attack you with its claws, not on purpose, but during play. Therefore, buy special toys, brooms, or even ordinary string and paper. Believe it or not, the animals are wildly delighted by the process of playing with the rustling bag.

Games are very important. On the one hand, this is how the pet gets to know the world around him and the capabilities of his body. On the other hand, this is an excellent opportunity to get to know you better, make friends, and establish contact. Having fun together will help build rapport. The animal will feel loved and will obey you.

Punishment

Don't know how to properly punish a kitten? A simple light, quick flick to the nose will be an excellent punishment. There is no need to hit, scream, throw or drag the poor pet by the scruff of the neck.

Hand training

Some kids don't know human affection. Therefore, your hands can be something scary for him. He will scratch, hiss, and snort. As a result, he will become intimidated and wild. Start slowly. Take it for a couple of seconds and release. Gradually increase the amount of time you have skin-to-skin contact with your kitten. Over time, he will stop being afraid of you and will understand that no danger comes from you. And literally in a couple of weeks he will happily run into your arms for affection.

Methods of punishment

Sometimes there are times when it is a shame to punish a cat, but this is necessary for “pedagogical” purposes. You need to remember one thing: if you can do without punishment, do so. A bad mood and irritation are not a reason to take it out on a cat; it is not to blame for anything. Punishments for a pet can be as follows: a stream of water or air, a loud sound, a menacing tone, boycotting the cat, reluctance to talk to or caress it.

Spraying

One of the most effective ways to punish a cat is to spray it with water from a spray bottle. Most cats do not like to get wet, and splashes of cold water and a sudden sound from the sprayer will frighten the animal.

Spray your cat's face several times if she scratches furniture or tries to steal food from the table. It will be unpleasant for the pet, but it will not cause harm to health and will not injure the psyche. As a rule, a few repetitions are enough for the cat to learn the cause-and-effect relationship and the necessary rules of behavior.

Spray your cat with water if she does something bad.

Use intonation

Many breeders advise using a reprimanding tone, which should be used to pronounce the words “impossible” and “bad”. But the words must be supported by a certain action, otherwise the cat will not perceive them. Therefore, it is recommended to lightly click the cat on the nose and move your index finger in front of the muzzle, repeating “no.” The effect will be good, since cats do not like being manipulated in front of their eyes.

Another effective punishment would be a threatening tone, supported by the faintest click or light tapping of a finger on the nose or forehead.

Cats are excellent at distinguishing voice notes and understanding the emotions of their owner. Therefore, in most cases, a strict reprimand is enough to explain the rules of behavior to your pet.

A menacing tone needs to be backed up with actions.

Frightening loud sounds

Cats don't like loud noises. But this does not mean that you need to shout at her; screaming will not help.

During a crime, you can clap your hands loudly, slam your hand on the table, or drop a bunch of keys.

Other methods

Ignoring. Immediately after the offense, do not pay attention to the cat for a while, do not even look at it, no matter how much it caresses you. This is a very strong measure of influence. If a cat can associate a change in the owner’s behavior with its own specific action, then it will have a serious motive not to repeat it.

Traps are an indirect deterrent to cats. Their advantage is that the animal does not associate the trap with a person. For example, you can place an unstable tray on the edge of the table, and when the cat jumps on it, the tray will fall with a crash. You can also place light tin cans on a table, window sill or shelf so that when a cat jumps, it will definitely bump into something. Then she will have nowhere to put her paws, or she will drop something, making an unexpected sound.

Audacity second happiness

Unpleasant smells and tastes can be used to stop your cat from damaging furniture, chewing wires and leaves of indoor plants. It is enough to spray these items with a vinegar solution or purchase a special repellent.

Fighting boredom. Often, behavioral disorders are associated with the fact that the cat has nothing to do in the absence of the owner. To prevent your cat from damaging the furniture out of boredom, purchase a scratching post and appropriate toys for it. Communicate more with your cat, take time for games and affection, then she will behave better and be more willing to follow the rules of behavior.

How to punish a kitten so that he understands?

Unlike an adult, a kitten cannot fully understand the consequences of its mischief. You need to understand how to properly punish a kitten so that it works and does not leave negative consequences in its psyche.

You cannot hit or shout at the baby, because he is unlikely to be able to understand the owner’s demands. The mother cat hissed at the cub for educational purposes and took him by the scruff of the neck. A person can do the same - you can lift the baby and shake him lightly, showing dissatisfaction with a hissing voice. Do not swing too much as this can lead to injury.

In relation to kittens, it is more effective not to punish for an act that has already been committed, but to prevent it. If you see that your baby is about to sit down in the wrong place or is trying to climb onto the kitchen table, prevent this action. Take him to the litter box or distract him with a toy. This way the kitten will not have time to realize the taste of the prank and will not want to repeat it again.

Correcting bad behavior

Changing the behavior of a cat is like taming a tiger: you need to work on it day after day, slowly and gradually, changing the natural behavior of the animal in a way that suits both the cat and the person.

Analyzing the reasons for bad behavior

In most cases, behavioral disturbances in cats are natural responses to environmental stimuli and do not mean that the cat is aggressive or vindictive. For example, one of the common problems is that a cat shits in the wrong litter box, this problem is caused by a lot of reasons, but not revenge - it is not typical for cats. A cat may refuse to go to the usual litter box just because it is simply dirty, due to stress after a change of environment, or due to inflammation of the urinary tract.

The next most common complaint from owners is the cat's aggressive behavior. It is necessary to distinguish between the types of aggression in cats, to prevent the causes of their occurrence and to stop them from an early age. In severe and advanced cases, you should consult a veterinarian and undergo drug therapy. Since all forms of aggression in cats can have dangerous consequences, in some cases, for example, if the aggression is associated with brain diseases or congenital malformations, it is necessary to decide to euthanize the animal.

The reasons for bad behavior can be stress, lack of socialization, boredom or negative life experiences. Therefore, before dealing with behavior that does not suit the owner, you should establish the reason that led to the consolidation of the bad habit. It is worth taking a close look at your cat’s behavior to find out and understand when and in what situations it commits inappropriate acts.

Before punishing, you need to identify the reasons for bad behavior

Rules for punishing cats

When punishing a cat, you need to follow certain rules:

• Never punish a cat with your hands. It is better to take a newspaper or a towel and swing at the animal, pretend that you want to hit, but not hit. Something pleasant should be associated with a cat's hands.
• Punishment must be timely and follow immediately after the offense.
• The punishment must be sincere. Sometimes, when a cat is caught in the act of a crime or behaves badly, but very funny, the owner is touched and “reprimands” her through laughter. The animal feels human emotions very subtly and will perceive punishment as praise rather than as a prohibition, and in the future it will be very difficult to wean it from a bad habit.
• Punishment must be inevitable. The inevitability of punishment must be observed by all family members. If, for example, the father scolds the cat for stealing, and the mother feels sorry for her and acts in her own way, then in the absence of family members, the cat will continue to steal from the table.
• The principle of minimum punishment. If the cat understands shouting or clapping your hands, limit yourself to this.

Punish your pet correctly to avoid psychological problems

There should be as few prohibitions in the house as possible, but they should be very strict. Owners need to understand what is required from a cat and build the educational process on this. For example, many people do not like it when a cat is in the bedroom and gets into the bed, while others enjoy this behavior. Some people throw pieces from the plate to the cat during lunch, while others feed them only by the hour and in a specially designated place.

There are a lot of norms of behavior and they all depend on the person.

We show attention and care

If everything is fine with the toilet, remember what recent events could have affected the state of the cat's soul. Perhaps you moved from your dacha to an apartment, and your cat suddenly found herself surrounded by smells that she had already lost the habit of, but couldn’t find her recent marks? Or perhaps there is a new smell in the house, especially a cat one?

An even more serious stress for a cat can be a change in family composition, the addition of a child or a new pet. In this case, a period of adaptation and the formation of new relationships is inevitable - we discussed this issue in detail in the article “Why do cats bury their feces.”

The most important thing to remember is that a cat begins to mark its territory when it feels threatened. If a cat’s world is stable, she has enough food, water and attention, and she feels safe, she will not have such a desire. Try to pay more attention to the animal, communicate more with it, do everything to make the cat feel that new residents or a changed environment do not threaten its well-being.

Show that the person is more important

Raising a pet should be done from an early age. Immediately after its arrival in a new home, the animal should be shown who is boss. This approach can be effectively applied if you need to punish a tailed prankster for another offense. If there is a person in the family who is afraid of a four-legged mischief-maker, it is better to entrust a serious conversation with him to him.

A stern conversation with a naughty boy pinned to the floor

To discourage the tailed dirty trickster from committing bad deeds, experienced breeders recommend pressing him to the floor, pressing his hand on the withers. It is necessary to reprimand your pet for his disgusting behavior in an even voice, without breaking into a scream. An animal, accustomed to the fact that the owner usually talks to him kindly, will experience unpleasant sensations during a stern conversation, and the cause-and-effect relationship “action - psychological discomfort” will be deposited in his mind.

Not only a tough conversation will help to reach the consciousness of the mustachioed and striped Skoda. The cat pinned to the floor feels humiliated. It is unlikely that a mischievous person will ever want to experience such sensations.

Use intonation

The only thing we could recommend to you in case you need to convey your displeasure to the cat at any cost is a quiet but stern voice. Cats don’t know words, but they perfectly recognize intonation, and if you call him by name, the cat will realize that you are unhappy with him. Whether this will become a serious argument for him is another question.

In order to stop the cat right at the moment when he is about to misbehave, you can also imitate the sounds with which his mother cat reproaches the kitten: clicking the tongue and (in serious situations) hissing. These sounds have been familiar to the cat since childhood, and unlike the above unwanted types of punishment, the cat understands their meaning, so they will not cause the animal either stress or retaliatory aggression, but will trigger instinctive reactions that it developed in childhood.

The worst thing for a cat is to fly into the air

You think it's funny to throw and catch a cat. However, his instinct of self-preservation makes him think about danger and at this moment he experiences real stress. If you don't want revenge from the cat, don't throw it up.

A cat’s paw performs various functions: from washing to protection, and it is also placed on another, showing dominance. The cat treats you as an equal, and if you don’t want to be scratched, don’t touch the cat’s paws again.

Neither a dog nor a cat can tell you what scares and irritates them. And your responsibility, as the owner, is to respond promptly and correctly to the signs that your pet gives you. Respect your pet, and he will only make you happy.

Beating and humiliating a cat is useless and dangerous

Beating and humiliating a cat for educational purposes is the worst thing the owner of a guilty animal can think of. Humiliation and physical violence will not achieve obedience from your pet. He will not be able to grasp the cause-and-effect relationship between his behavior and moral and physical pressure; he will not be able to somehow connect these events.

Beating and humiliating a kitten or an adult cat is also prohibited for another reason. Felines have an extremely vulnerable psyche. Anything can throw them out of emotional balance. Many cats have a hard time traveling in a car, a change of scenery, the appearance of a child or a new four-legged inhabitant in the house, even moving to another room can have a negative impact on their psyche.

Screaming and physical impact on them can lead to severe mental disorders that will require long-term and expensive treatment. However, there is no guarantee that it will be successful.

Tailed bully is not recommended:

• Poking your nose into urine and feces. Poking in its own excrement will result in severe stress for the animal. It will begin to fear its owner, and its behavior will become even more unpredictable, if not inadequate.
• Beat. In the mind of the pet, physical punishment will be fixed not in connection with the action committed, but with the offender or the object with which he was punished, for example, with a slipper. As a result, he will begin to avoid shoes and the person who offended him, but will not stop doing what he was beaten for.
• You can’t stop doing something using the “no” command. These animals do not understand the meaning of this word, and perceive prohibitions as a violation of their personal boundaries.

Beatings and humiliation will not solve the problem. This will only push the pet away, but will not improve the situation. The only thing that can be done without harming the cat’s psyche is to lightly slap it on the back with your palm at the moment the “crime” is committed.

Which cats shit most often?

The most basic reasons why a cat may pee on the sofa or carpets are:

• Dirty tray. According to its instincts, a cat hides its smells. For them, the cleanliness of the toilet and litter is extremely important. If the cat is faced with the problem that the place is "crowded", the animal will look for a new place.
• I don't like the tray. The cat may not like the toilet itself, for example, its shape, depth, or quality of the filler. Thus, the pet is looking for a new suitable place for this.
• Moving the tray to a new location. For some individuals, even moving the tray a few centimeters is critical. The pet gets used to going to the same place.
• No access. A person or the animal itself can close the door to the toilet, thereby blocking access to it.

It is important to choose the right place to place the tray. The pet should feel comfortable, safe, protected

This is why the cat shits on the bed.

Little kittens

Young kittens do not yet have established habits regarding their toilet. The baby can wet the owner's bed, as it can remind him of the sensations of softness, coziness, and comfort. It is necessary for the small pet to get used to its filler as quickly as possible and stop committing such sabotage.

Question to an expert How to help a kitten master the litter box faster? To speed up learning, it is important to place the kitten in the litter box after each meal. The physiology of furry babies is designed in such a way that they usually relieve themselves after eating

Some kittens will only need a few of these lessons, others may need more time. But in general, litter box training at an early age is easy.

Unsterilized animals

The behavior, character, habits of an animal depend on hormonal levels. During heat, cats can change greatly. Attracting the opposite sex occurs using special means. If an animal has been sterilized or castrated, such phenomena are not observed in the animal, which means the animal ceases to experience such needs. After sterilization, it stops marking its territory, as it does not feel the need for mating.

Elderly animals

This behavior is often demonstrated by older individuals. The age of the animal is one of the main reasons why a cat began to shit. Your pet may become incontinent. It makes no sense to scold or punish such an animal. Such measures will not bring any positive effect, but rather, on the contrary, will destroy the trusting contact between the pet and the person. The cat will begin to look for secluded places to relieve its needs.

Gradually, an adult pet will begin to demonstrate the behavior of a small kitten, both in its behavior and in its level of intellectual development. If the veterinarian cannot help with treatment, the best solution in this case will be special diapers for animals.

When and how to properly punish a pet?

In the most common situations, you should act as follows:

• If an animal sharpens its claws on wallpaper or upholstered furniture, you should scold it and take it to the scratching post, pointing your finger at it.
• If a cat drops or hits household objects, the animal must first be scolded, and then the things must be put away out of reach of the pet.
• If a cat jumps on the kitchen table or appliances, then it needs to be picked up and placed on the floor, gesturing with the index finger and pronouncing the name in a threatening intonation.
• If your pet defecates in shoes, on the floor or on the sofa, then you should show him the tray so that he gets used to fulfilling his physiological needs in one place.

How to properly hold a cat in your arms

When holding your cat close to your chest, be guided by its habits and reactions. Every pet and owner is unique, and so will your relationship. However, there are a number of universal recommendations that will help you and your cat understand each other and enjoy communication.

1. Hold your pet lightly against your chest, with its head and neck raised up - this is how the animal is most comfortable.
2. The cat should sit on one of your hands, and it is best to support it under the chest with the other hand. If she doesn’t like it that way, she will take a comfortable position herself - the main thing is not to interfere with her initiative.
3. Never lift your pet by the scruff of the neck! A mother cat carries her kittens this way, but this is only possible due to the small weight of the kitten. An adult animal weighs much more, so it will be painful and uncomfortable.

It is better not to handle newborn kittens at all - there is a risk of skeletal deformation. In addition, some cats are capable of abandoning their cubs due to the foreign smell.

Kittens should not be picked up too early

When not to pick up a cat:

with an unstable emotional state;

• while playing or hunting;
• during naps and sleep;
• during a fight.

In all these cases, the animal can react unpredictably aggressively. You should also not hold the cat with its paws up - in this position it feels trapped and in danger, and is able to wriggle out, scratching your face. Wash the affected area with soap and water, then treat with a topical antibiotic. For bites or deep scratches, consult a doctor.

How to let go of a cat? Do not throw it on the floor - an unsuccessful landing may cause injury. Gently place him on his paws as soon as he begins to show signs of displeasure.

What can't you do?

In order for the pet to understand and assimilate the rules that its owners force it to follow, it is necessary to correctly approach the punishment for cat misconduct:

• Under no circumstances should you play or pet a kitten immediately after being scolded. The animal will not understand what the owner wants to say with this gesture. If you behave this way, your pet will become afraid and avoid people.
• There is no point in punishing an animal if the offense was committed a long time ago. That is, a person who noticed a plate broken by a kitten only a week after the incident should not scold his pet. The animal has long forgotten about this incident, so the punishment will be perceived as something undeserved, and the owner will become an enemy.
• You can't hit cats too hard. Any physical impact will cause physical or psychological harm to the pet. Also, do not spank the kitten on the head, neck and back - there are nerve endings in this area, and a blow will cause severe pain. If your pet does not understand facial expressions, gestures and intonation, then you can lightly pat its face with your finger - this way the cat will understand that it has done something forbidden, and the owner will not cause it pain or injury.
• There is no need to scold your cat if he tore up the furniture in the place where the claw sharpener used to be. He performs the action intuitively. In this case, you need to return the scratching post to its original place or try to show the animal a new place. Punishment in this case is senseless and cruel.

It is important to remember that a kitten is capable of doing something accidentally or unconsciously. There is no need to try to harm or hurt the animal.

The cat must be punished in such a way that it understands both its action and the person’s attitude towards this offense. Otherwise, the pet will be afraid and distrustful of the owner for a very long time.

Trainer Yu. Kuklachev created a “School of Education” for cats, but excluded mentoring and violence from it. Yuri Dmitrievich encourages his colleagues to love and study furry students. Over the course of 40 years of work, the chief cat expert in Russia has accumulated 4 boxes of diaries of observations of them.

But age-old folk wisdom encourages “stick” methods for educational purposes. “Just show the beaten cat the vine,” says the Russian proverb. So is it possible to punish a cat? Is corporal punishment acceptable in relation to the most sensitive and sophisticated mammal? Let us turn to the opinion of animal psychologists.

The domestication of the furry predator began 9.5 thousand years ago. But even today he behaves as if he is patronizing a person. Cats tend to become attached to the house and owners and establish emotional contact with them. However, they easily return to a wild lifestyle.

Unlike a dog, a cat has not lost the habits of its distant ancestors and has retained the independence of a lone predator. Scientists say: genetically she has not changed. This cannot be ignored when solving the problem of how to punish a cat.

Not punishment, but education!

A four-legged bully should perceive the owner’s actions not as punishment, but as an educational measure. It is recommended to punish him harshly, but without disrespect. Neglect and humiliation will not achieve what you want from the animal; on the contrary, it will begin to behave even more unpredictably. Choosing the wrong approach to raising a pet is fraught with the loss of his trust and the appearance of mental disorders.

Beatings should be prohibited. If you do not calculate your strength, you can seriously injure your cat. No matter how disgusting the cat's act was, it does not deserve such severe punishment. It will be possible to achieve exemplary behavior from the tailed prankster only with the help of consistency, determination, reasonable rigidity, refusal of moral pressure and physical influence.

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Be consistent

Sometimes a cat's behavior is dictated by banal bad manners. A cat is a beast driven by instincts. By the way, he does not consider the apartment to be people’s territory at all, it belongs to him. You cannot explain to a cat that the owner is the one who brings the money and prepares the food. But sometimes a person himself acts inconsistently in raising a kitten, and then is surprised by its lack of culture.

It’s stupid, for example, to lure a cat today by playing with your hair, and tomorrow to scold him for jumping on your head for no apparent reason. At first they encouraged him! Yes, your mood was different on different days and the circumstances were slightly different, and the cat’s actions were not so aggressive. You can find a lot of differences - they are obvious to you, but not to the cat. For him, everything needs to be clearly sorted out and, if an action is undesirable, it should not be encouraged under any circumstances.

First understand your behavior and reactions, sometimes unconscious, and only then take on your pet.

Psychological problems

Stress and resentment in cats are often the reason why they shit in the bed, shoes of their owners or guests. If a small kitten sleeps in the owner's bed, then for him it makes up most of the surrounding world. Maybe he is afraid to jump to the floor or he doesn’t have time to reach the tray. If an adult animal shits in the bed, then you need to try to understand the reason for this behavior and begin to correct it.

To solve most psychological problems, patient treatment, affection and attention help. There are cases where an animal shits in its owner's shoes when left alone at home all day

Thus, it expresses a protest against loneliness.

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Unneutered cats often mark corners and walls, limiting their territory. An animal cannot be punished for such behavior, since it does not understand what wrong it has done. To stop a cat from shitting in corners, we recommend resorting to castration. Timely surgery will relieve you of the problem and give peace of mind to the animal. It is much more difficult, and sometimes impossible, to wean an adult cat from such habits.

Methods of punishment for mischief

There are different ways to punish a cat for mischief. For example, when a cat tries to climb onto the table or steal food from it, you can prohibit the animal from doing this in a stern voice with a moderately elevated tone. If during the prank your eyes meet with the cat, he can easily read dissatisfaction on your face. To enhance the effect, you need to threaten him with your finger without sudden movements and loudly say “no!”

The fear technique also works on animals. To punish, you should not wave your hand at him; it is better to choose available means. This could be a towel, a spray bottle with a stream sent at the cat, a banal clap of your hands, or the creation of other noise. A cat will really not like it if you click it on the nose after doing something nasty and punish it with this.

Arsenal of “punitive measures”: sounds, smells, water

As a punishment for a pet who has committed an unseemly act, it is recommended:

• Spray it with water.
• Clap your hands sharply.
• Apply a product with an unpleasant odor to the object damaged by the cat or the place where the cat has pooped. Cats cannot tolerate the aromas of citrus fruits (lemon, orange, tangerine), garlic and onions, eucalyptus, lavender, and vinegar.

These methods only work when the owner caught the tailed miscreant at the moment of committing a crime. Otherwise, the animal will not be able to associate the unseemly action with punishment.

Solving health problems

Let's say that before your cat always willingly used the tray and litter, and there have been no changes in her life recently.
What then? It is best to take your pet to a doctor. Cats very often communicate their pain to us in this way. Get tested, check your internal organs using an ultrasound. Sometimes urination on upholstered furniture is a consequence of urolithiasis: it hurts the cat to urinate, and he looks for a softer place, in the hope that this will ease his suffering. But only timely treatment can alleviate them, so do not waste time raising the cat, but run to the veterinary clinic.

Another possible reason for bowel movements everywhere is helminthic infestation. Do not neglect regular preventive administration of anthelmintic drugs!

What is the problem

As you know, in the urban conditions of multi-story buildings, walking cats on the street is an impossible task, and therefore they carry out all the “small and big things” in special trays installed in a certain place in the apartment. If the animal defecates carefully and only in a tray, then maintaining sanitary conditions is not so difficult, and the smell can be easily eliminated.

To stop a cat from crapping, you need to identify and eliminate the reasons for this behavior.

The problem arises when an adult cat, for some reason, does not want to “go” to the litter box or suddenly changes its habits and stops doing it. A favorite place in this case can be a sofa, bed, carpet, flower pot or just the floor. Naturally, a “fragrance” appears throughout the apartment, yellow stains, and constant puddles. A reasonable question arises: how to wean a cat from shitting anywhere and teach it to use the designated place.

The first thing you need to understand is that a cat, by its nature, is a fairly clean animal, which means that there are good reasons for its inappropriate behavior. The question of how to stop cats from pooping in inappropriate places at home can only be resolved positively if the cause of this behavior is identified and eliminated. Initially, you should understand the essence of the problem: the cat previously only went to the litter box or is this due to shortcomings in raising the kitten; the cat shits in certain places or does it throughout the apartment; Has the overall character of the animal and its habits changed?

It is also important to understand what has changed dramatically in the apartment or family

Various painful sensations can cause an animal to shit anywhere

What lies behind bad behavior

Breakdowns in behavioral patterns always have a good reason. Since pets are unable to communicate verbally, they demonstrate their mood through changing habits and behavioral strategies.

Table 3. What is hidden behind bad behavior

Behavioral disorders Possible explanations Urinating on the carpet If the animal is physically healthy, this may be the way to express dissatisfaction with changing the litter. The arrival of a new person, rearranging the cat's furniture or changing the daily routine can also negatively affect the pet. Climbing onto the kitchen table In most cases, this offense does not have a negative connotation.

If an animal once, without the knowledge of its owners, feasted on a tasty dish lying on the table, the next time it will certainly repeat this action. Puts its claws into the chair Lack of attention on the part of the owner or a sharp change in his attitude towards the pet. For example, if the owner played with the animal every day in the evening, and then suddenly stopped, the cat will perceive this as betrayal. Manifestation of obvious aggression Such actions can cause inconsistency in the behavior of the owner

If, depending on the mood, you either reward or punish an animal for the same actions, there is a high probability of provoking a behavioral failure. In most cases, the pet becomes aggressive and begins to take revenge on the owner.

Before taking educational measures, it is necessary to analyze the reasons for misbehavior

Boredom and apathy

Although most furry pets tolerate being alone well, they do not cope well with boredom. If no exciting events happen in the room during the day, they begin to amuse themselves. The consequences of games can be very disastrous - from scratched furniture to furniture thrown onto the floor.

Abyssinian cats need a busy daily routine more than others.

Possible solutions to the problem:

1. Buying another cat or dog.
2. Alternating new toys every day.
3. Purchasing a horizontal installation on which the animal can climb.
4. Placing pleasant surprises for the animal in the apartment - unaccounted for feeders, tennis balls or pieces of catnip.
5. Spending enough time with your pet every day in a playful environment.

Despite the fact that cats are smart animals, they lack the ability to concentrate on one action for a long time. Therefore, you should diversify your games.

A kitten should have a lot of toys

The relationship between color and character

According to one theory, there is a direct connection between a cat’s behavior and the color of its fur.

Table 4. Relationship between color and character

Ginger cats are considered homebodies

Cat, you're wrong!

What to do if the kitten still acts out? First of all, remember that the evilness of cats in oral tradition is greatly exaggerated. In fact, they rarely do anything out of spite, revenge or a desire to annoy you. It will be very good if you remember this every time before punishing the kitten for pampering. Because cats don't wish you harm.

Like people, they believe that they have very good reasons for doing what they do. For example, they like it. And naturally, if you take away what gives the cat joy, he will think that you wish him harm. Therefore, in order not to lose emotional contact with your pet, follow this rule: the cat’s negative emotions should not be associated with you in his brain. He should stop loving the process itself, but without your visible participation.

For example, if he jumps on the table and you are not happy with it, wet the edge of the table or place rustling paper on it. Cats' dislike of harsh sounds is a huge help in such work. You can hang a rattle or bells on the curtains, on a roll of toilet paper, or put empty tin cans on the shelf instead of valuable vases.

You can also, for example, apply a plant extract or a special product to the upholstery of your favorite chair, the smell of which is unpleasant to the cat. Read more in the article “What smells cats don’t like.”

Remember that the kitten will develop the habit of going around this or that place in the apartment for some time, during which your actions must be consistent and constant.

Good luck and more patience!

How to explain to a child why you should not hit an animal

Some children at a certain age exhibit some aggressive behavior towards our little brothers. This in no way indicates that the child is depraved or has a bad character. It’s just that a period of personal development has come in his life. He is trying to prove to himself and others that he has some weight in the world. And this proof is most often expressed in tangibly changing something in him through his actions. Throwing cups and plates off the table quickly gets boring, the little man moves on to animate objects.

Subconsciously, the child chooses for his experiments creatures that are weaker and cannot, in his understanding, respond well. So poor cats come across the path of these brats, forced to endure the domination of a person who has just come out of diapers. Parents are required to take some measures and explain to their child why cats should not be hit. After all, this self-affirmation can turn into a habit and, over time, spread to people. And on the other hand, not every cat will tolerate beating. Even well-deserved ones, let alone just like that.

The best lesson for a child, of course, would be some response from the offended animal. But cats, unfortunately, do not know how to lightly spank. If they scratch or bite, it is with all their might. And here the task of parents is to explain why they should not touch animals, not so much for humane reasons as for fear for the well-being of their own children. Probably not all mothers know that cats aim to scratch specifically in the eye. In their opinion, this is the most vulnerable place.

There are several options to influence a child's behavior. Which one to choose depends on each specific case. For some children, it is enough to explain how painful the cat is, that she is crying and offended. That she might die if she thought the child didn't love her. For three-year-old children, who have not yet experienced our cruel world, this option is very effective. They are compassionate and kind by nature.

If the child is too aggressive and sometimes received punishment for mischief, then in this case there is nothing left but to intimidate with the most suitable argument from the parents’ point of view. If a schoolboy beats animals, then talking here is useless. Most likely, he is simulating the behavioral algorithm adopted in his family. And you can’t do it without a child psychologist.

Man by nature is obliged to be humane towards weaker creatures. And the question of why cats should not be beaten is not even worth raising. One popular wisdom says: anyone can offend the weak, but only the weak can want to offend the weak. And we in our world should not be weak. Otherwise, there will always be someone weaker who will offend us.

When it is necessary

If you are still ripe for punishment, you need to clearly define when it will be carried out. The decision depends on the circumstances and whether you are doing what is right for your pet. It is forbidden to “raise” a cat if you do not fulfill the following conditions well:

• Providing sufficient food;
• Providing warmth and comfort;
• Caring for cleanliness and health, timely visits to the veterinarian;
• Confidence that the cat is safe;
• Showing love and providing toys so that the cat can play and sharpen its claws enough.

If at least one point is not fully finalized, the cat simply asks for help. But if you do everything correctly, then move on to choosing the so-called punishment. First of all, remember that a cat is not a person, and he needs special ways to prove that he is doing wrong.

How to properly punish a kitten

Animal psychologists distinguish several types of aggression. Understanding a cat's behavior strategy will help you understand how to properly punish and educate it. There are 3 varieties:

• Defensive. If you want to take away a toy, offer a treat in return.
• Maternal. The kitten, a girl, copies the behavior of an adult cat: creates a “nest” and protects the “offspring.”
• Aggressive. The owner himself often encourages an attack in the game, then the cat asserts itself.

Punishing a cat correctly means stopping in time. As practice shows: first the owner turns a blind eye to the pranks, then in anger he throws or hits the kitten, sometimes damaging the paws and spine.

If you notice incorrect behavior, start training immediately. Otherwise, the “action-punishment” connection is lost, and the kitten begins to fear the owner.

Reasons for disobedience in mustaches

It is no secret that each cat has its own unique character, formed in accordance with the breed characteristics and hereditary traits. How to punish a cat for bad behavior? Its reasons are explainable from the point of view of cat psychology. Knowing its basics makes it possible to quickly recognize the motives of a particular crime, and therefore respond to it appropriately.

A person often explains the actions of a furry pet from his own, human point of view. From this position, every cat's prank looks like a simple prank. But, in fact, this is far from the case. Often, the basis of a behavior pattern that is displeasing to the owner is pain, inconvenience, and stress.

In most cases, in case of inappropriate behavior, the animal must not be punished, but helped.

We must not forget that cats always act as the nature of the predator dictates. Every act of a cat should make you think. After all, this is exactly how pets communicate with us, in a non-verbal way, by changing behavioral strategies.

Body language - cat habits

In order to understand a cat, it is important to know its body language. The pet will not convey its emotions and mood in words, but it will definitely make it clear whether it is happy or angry.

1. If a cat wags its tail, its skin twitches - this is a sign of dissatisfaction.
2. She arches her back, snorts, hisses - she is afraid and ready for aggressive actions. It is better to leave the animal alone and wait until it calms down.
3. The pet presses its ears to its head, hisses or growls - it can hardly restrain itself and is ready to attack. This is not a game, in this state the cat is ready for a fight.
4. Purrs and rubs against the owner - expresses love and devotion, asks for affection.
5. Touches or lightly hits a person's hand with a paw without extended claws, the cat is ready for play and asks for it.

How to deal with cat disobedience?

Only humane and effective means are applicable as methods of combating cat leprosy. By combining these characteristics, the owner can easily cope with the pet’s disobedience.

After applying punishment, you can ignore your pet for a while - the cat does not like to go without communication for a long time. It will be useful not to respond to calls to play with her, not to respond to inviting sounds and the desire to lie on your lap. Then the mischievous woman will realize the wrongness of the act and will try not to do it again.

Cats are independent, inquisitive, capricious and vindictive, so punishment for wrongdoing must be used delicately. Incorrectly selected measures lead to the opposite effect. The best thing is to correct the behavior of the mischief maker by understanding the motives of negative behavior and eliminating them.