Michael

Behavior Training for your stubborn Cat



Author:J. Brian Keith



Learning cat behaviors before you start training them would be an good idea for anyone that is going to train a cats behavior.



A cat can jump and land on its feet as this is a natural instinct for a cat. When a kitten is born the cushion in its paws are not developed with the cushion to land on its feet. It takes about 7 weeks to develop the cushion in a kittens paw for landing. A cats bone structure is unique to other animals as the bones are flexible, cats have no collar bone, which enables them to twist and bend their bones. A cat can jump a great distance without sustaining any injuries.



With this behavior, you will want to teach the cat to jump hoops, sticks, or off the scratching tree. Letting a cat jump from extreme heights will cause injury to the cat.



Cats have a unique hearing ability; they are able to hear high tones and pitches, like opening a door or a can of food. Cats also have unique smelling abilities. The reason a cat will scratch or urinate on the floor , rub its self up against a door or furniture, is the cat is leaving their scent in those areas so they will be able to come back and know they were there, in other words marking its territory. In addition, if another cat or animal comes along in the area a cat will know this. Cats can also smell with their mouths. There is a gland called Jacobsons organ, it is a sac in the cats upper mouth filled with blood, as the cat smells the scent and the slightly opens their mouth and upper lip, this allows the scent to be carried in and to the sac, which it will carry the scent goes to the cat brain. This mostly happen to male cats when a female has urinated.



Knowing these natural instincts and behaviors can give you some insight training your cat. With behavior training you will want to make sure that you allow your cat the ability in some way to play out its natural instincts and behaviors.



When training a cat for behaviors there are some things you need to take into consideration. Aggression, especially in older cats, can be caused from illness or other cats in the home. You may want to contact your vet to have your cat checked out to see if its alright at this time to train a cat.



Depression and anxiety can play another part in trying to train your cat. If a cat is separated by a recent owner the cat can become depressed. Stress is not uncommon for a cat. If you think that your cat has depression or high anxiety, this would be a good time to take him to the vet. Vets can talk to you about some of the things that may be causing this. There are also medications that a vet can prescribe for the cat to help with depression and anxiety.



Never hit a cat for punishment, he will learn to fear you, and fearing will be a behavior you will not be able to control or retrain. When they do something that is not right, ignore the problem unless you catch them in the act, you can associate a noise with that behavior you dont like, or in a stern voice tell them 'NO'.



If a behavior is becoming impossible, you may have to resort to the baby proof home, all containers that have food in them have a lid on it. Make sure that the counters are clean and have nothing that a cat would want to play with.



You will want to start training your cat or kitten almost immediately after you get them. This will stop many unwanted behaviors and hopefully not let any new bad behaviors to start.



Healthy cats need healthy relationships with their owners. Good Luck!



J. Brian Keith is a Cat Training author and contributor at RustyCats.com, where innovative ideas and information about Cats is openly shared. See Cat Training related articles.

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Although this is not a "cat health" problem, it can be a cat owner health problem.

Cat Scratch Fever aka Cat Scratch Disease

Recently, our inside cat, Stewart, made a break for his freedom while I was napping and my fiancé decided to go out and get him. Frightened and mad, Stewart attacked the right arm of my fiancé and as an end result, my fiancé ended up with something that is commonly known as “Cat Scratch Fever.”

He developed severe swelling in his arm; he could barely make a fist and his arm bled profusely. The next day, he started developing a high fever and weakness.

I did research and this is what is known about “Cat Scratch Fever” or “Cat Scratch Illness.”

American Chronicle: Cat Scratch Fever aka Cat Scratch Disease

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There seems to be increasing events of rabies in cats.
New York readers of our blog, please contact your local health officials if you have been in contact with a strange acting cat.
People warned to see doctors after rabid cat dies in Rockland

By STEVE LIEBERMAN THE JOURNAL NEWS

(Original publication: October 13, 2006)

NYACK - Rockland health officials today issued a warning to anyone who came in contact with a rabid cat found on Hudson Avenue.Anyone who touched the black and white stray feline should get evaluated for rabies, a deadly virus, Health Department officials said.

People warned to see doctors after rabid cat dies in Rockland

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Michael
Good Cat Care Means A Happy Cat

By: Bruce Walls

Cat care is the most important part of keeping your cat healthy and happy. The more you know about your cats care, the better you will be able to meet your cats physical and emotional needs. The stronger your cats health and the better your cats attitude is, the more you will be able to enjoy your cats unique personality and the more pleasure you will take from the relationship. Good cat care will make your cat more affectionate, and can dramatically reduce any behavior problems that he or she may be displaying. If you want a richer and fuller relationship with your cat, then take the time to care for your cat properly.
Having a cat is a two way street. The better the level of care that you can provide for your pet, the more energetic, affectionate, and well behaved it will be. By giving your pet optimum care, you will make it more agreeable to the training and behavior modification techniques that can take the headaches out of pet ownership. Good cat care often translates into a better cat that will react to commands more willingly than a cat who does not receive enough attention, affection, and care. The more you learn about how to care for your cat, the better the level of health and happiness you will be able to bring to your feline friend. The healthier your cat is, the stronger the emotional bond between you and your pet will be, and that bond often serves as the core of obedience training.

By educating yourself about cat care and practicing the best, tested feline care techniques to provide your cat with optimum attention, you can make sure that your cat is as happy as possible. The happier your cat is, the happier it will be able to make you. A cat that is well cared for is a cat that will be interested in active playtime and in calm relaxation. The better your cat care abilities are, the more fully you will be able to share time with your cat doing all of you pets, and your, favorite activities together. Great care provides a strong foundation for your bond with your cat. Good care and attention can help you grow closer with your beloved pet by making sure that he or she is always up for spending time with you. This is why cat care is an important part of your emotional relationship with your cat.

If your cat isnt getting the right kind of care, from the best kind of diet to the ideal grooming schedule, your cat may develop behavior issues that can make him or her feel like a problem child. However, the positive side of this equation is that conscientious and responsible cat care can help your cat overcome issues ranging from constant meowing to weight issues to destructive tendencies. Good cat care means a happier and healthier pet, and even a problematic cat who receives enough of the right kind of care can become a pleasant companion.

Bruce Walls is an author and webmaster at http://www.catcarefacts.com

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