Cat Behavior Tips

by Drs. Foster and Smith on May 31, 2010

Helping pet owners learn more about how to care for their pet is one of the most important things we do here at Drs. Foster and Smith. We have a Pet Information Center plus the whole PetEducation.com site to help people through every stage of their pet’s life. Now it’s your turn!

You could win this Classi-Cat Treehouse!

You could win this Classi-Cat Treehouse!

Let’s start with cats. Tell us, and other cat owners…

Your best tip for encouraging good cat behavior OR
how to deal with a cat behavior issue.

Comment in this post
With your cat behavior advice and
You’ll be entered to WIN this
Classi-Cat Treehouse

(valued at $179.99)!

~~~~~
UPDATE: Entry to win is now closed, but you’re welcome to still contribute cat advice. Thanks to everyone for making this post such a valuable resource for cat owners!
~~~~~

To be eligible, you must leave your comment by noon CST on 6/7/2010. To help you get started, here are a few tips from cat owners that work at Drs. Foster and Smith.

From Dr. Kathy Hillestad:

Never underestimate the importance of an adequate number of litter boxes. The rule of thumb is one box per cat plus one extra. Also, the boxes must be kept very clean. Remember that cats are extremely fastidious and if the litter box is dirty, they may just decide to use something else (the rug, your shoe, the laundry basket, etc). Here is a good article for more information about inappropriate elimination in cats.

From Melissa R.:

Our two newest additions are both under a year. We do not plan on declawing them, so training them to scratch on appropriate surfaces is very important to us. Since day one, anytime they start to “claw” on something they are quickly transported to one of the several scratching posts we have. Occasionally we also pepper these posts with catnip to further entice clawing on the “good spot”. So far this has worked great and we haven’t had any furniture or rugs torn up!

From Keri Kelley:

Speak to your cats in their own language! Using human speech usually gets me nothing but a blank look from my two cats, but a real hissing sound gets a quick reaction when they’re caught on the forbidden countertop or trying to knock the garbage over.

Try not to make extended eye contact with a nervous cat. Slowly blink and look away instead to show you’re friendly. Relaxed cats like this signal too — it’s a sign that everything’s okay between you.

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For a chance to win this Classi-Cat Treehouse, simply leave a comment in this blog post with your cat behavior advice. To be eligible, post your comment by noon CST on 06/07/10. Limit one comment per person. We will pick one lucky winner. No purchase is necessary to participate. You should be a legal resident of the United States and 18 years or older. Void where prohibited. Shipping to winner will be supplied by Drs. Foster and Smith. To see who won, go to http://www.dfs-pet-blog.com/2010/05/cat-behavior. Sponsor: Foster & Smith, Inc., P.O. Box 100, Rhinelander, WI 54501-0100. Employees and their immediate family members are not eligible to enter.


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May 31, 2010 at 9:36 am

{ 268 comments… read them below or add one }

Kristine June 3, 2010 at 8:30 am

One thing that I make sure to do for my cats is give them lots of “activities” to do to keep them entertained in between their cat naps. From window perchs, the toys (Fling-ama-string one of the favorites and would highly recommend it!), to having the proper areas for them to scratch. One thing that I have noticed is that they all have different preferences. Some like the floor matts, others like things hanging from the wall, some like the posts, and some like all of the above! lol. Keeping them happy makes me happy :)

Stephanie Linn June 3, 2010 at 8:55 am

I have three cats, and they are all little trouble makers! I give them treats, catnip and those little mice with feathers for a tail. But sometimes, they just have to misbehave-like scratching the woodwork or jumping on the kitchen counters. So, I have this little squirt bottle that sits on the coffee table; it contains half water and half vinegar. I tried just water for a while, they got used to it. I rinse my dog with half water half vinegar after his bath to remove all the soap and deoderize him. So I figured this wouldn’t hurt my cats-they do not like to lick it off themselves. I have only had to actually squirt each of them once or twice when they misbehaved. Now all I have to do is pick it up and point it at them and they take off.

Lynne June 3, 2010 at 9:36 am

I kept my new younger cat occupied by getting another younger cat to play with. I introduced them slowly and now they are all friends and cuddle with each other, play with each other, and have companionship when I am at work or out doing other things. I have lots of different toys and hiding places for them. This way they have many choices which keeps them entertained when they are not napping or with me.

Monica June 3, 2010 at 10:33 am

To encourage good behavior, I speak in quiet, calm tones to my 3 cats and give encouragement when they have good behaviour. I also look at them and smile. When they do something “wrong” they hear the difference in my voice and how I look. A loud, angry “NO” and/or “BAD CAT” and they know what this means! Their response is to sulk since they prefer quiet and calm. They learn very quickly what not to do and rarely do I have to get angry with them.

Judith Crookston June 3, 2010 at 10:34 am

Cat doesn’t like to be held? I have a cat who began his life as an (almost) feral cat. He belonged to a neighbor who let their cats roam free. To make a long story short, when he was about 2 years old he decided he wanted to live at our house. For some reason he took to our large yellow lab. They were great friends. He is an affectionate cat, but does not like to be held. I guess he feels like he is trapped when someone holds on to him. He is now 12 years old, and is just beginning to let us cuddle him. I have been picking him up from time to time and putting him on my lap and gently massaging his cheeks and the tips of his ears. He seems to like this. The more times I do it, the more time he will spend on my lap. We hope he will eventually come and sit on our laps of his own choice. After 10 years, we have gone from no lap sitting at all, to approx. 15 minutes. So if your cat is a loner like Sammi was, try a little cheek and ear tip rubbing. Maybe your cat will like it, too.

Cindy Warren June 3, 2010 at 11:14 am

If I’m around I will clap one time. It stops the ‘bad’ activity. If I’m not around I just prepare ahead for previous ‘bad’ behaviors; covers placed over beds or furniture, leaving the tv on the Home and Garden station for familiar sounds and plenty of toys.

Shaun C June 3, 2010 at 11:22 am

Cats love clean litter boxes. If you are limited on time to take care of the boxes, and who enjoys cleaning them anyways, try the Breeze cat boxes and litter. Since the urnine passes through the pellets and the urine pads only have to be changed once a week, the boxes stay cleaner longer. The cats enjoy this since urine in traditional litter causes large clumps that soon fill a litter box. The only down side is that you will want to scoop the other daily since the pellet litter does not do a good job of masking odors, but without the urine “bricks” cleanup is quick and easy.

Bunny June 3, 2010 at 11:45 am

What a wonderful service you provide to us customers! All of my cats love the tree houses I have purchased, and the shreds on the carpeted posts prove it! They love snuggling in the hideaway sections and spend hours watching the bird feeders from their many condos! Such a life they have thanks to you! Your expertise and advise is always appreciated regarding my cats and dogs health also. Thanks once again.

Rebecca Dunbar June 3, 2010 at 12:20 pm

My cat, Dusty, has just turned 17 years old and is a fine old :gentlecat”. Last year I had his teeth cleaned at the vets and discovered that he was a little dehydrated and his creatinine level was above normal. He was given some fluids and I ws told to make sure that he drank enough water. Easier said than done! Since Dusty likes to drink from the bathroom faucet when I come home from work, I decided to get him his own Drinkwell water fountain so that he would have flowing water whenever he wanted it. It has turned out to be a lifesaver! He never drinks from his water bowl anymore, just the water fountain. It’s a bit more work since it has to be cleaned every week and filters changed every so often but it is worth it. Also, his creatinine level was down at his last checkup and he was no longer dehydrated. Now he is also on a low protein diet, doing well and living gracefully into old age. I would highly recommend one of these fountains for anyone with a cat especially one with any medical issues who needs to drink more water.

Tami June 3, 2010 at 12:21 pm

My cat is spoiled rotten, and she is my first cat so I have learned along the way a lot of things I should have done differently so that she would not do the things she does today. She is in no way a bad cat and I would not trade her for the world! But I chose not to have her de-clawed, but of course have a job, so she was clawing the furniture when I was not at home and when I was shooing her away when I was home was the way I was telling her that it was not alright. Since then she has lost most interest in doing that since I have provided her with some scratching posts, but have also been told if I had been using a spray bottle with a touch of vinegar in it to spray her when she was scratching she would not do it.

Sharon M June 3, 2010 at 1:18 pm

My 2 cats were adopted at different times and never got along. I’ve tried everything but nothing would work until I found a very long thin rope and could play with both of them at the same time. Over time they began to get closer and closer to each other as long as I had the rope for them to play with on each end. Now, they are finally starting to tolerate each other and they actually love to play together with me holding the rope. It’s taken some time but we’re making progress.

Kim R June 3, 2010 at 3:08 pm

I learned this from owning parrots. Start early. With a kitten make sure your touching feet so you will be able to cut their nails. They eventually enjoy your touch and it will make life so much easier. Picking them up and putting into a carrier at a young age even if you dont have to go anywhere. They get use to being put in a little carrier. Touching other body parts so they like the touch so when you have to put drops into ears or even into eyes they are more use to being handled. Getting them use to a towel around them incase you need to towel them for any medical procedure. Getting them use to eating something that you will later maybe use to hide pills in. Like pill pockets etc. Make sure other people handle them at an early age helps out later with socialization. I take care of ferals and strays and these all can be even used with them if they are older but you have to take it very slow. When you see some progress you can go on to the next step. Patience and time can turn any cat around with some behaviors.

Heather N. June 3, 2010 at 4:08 pm

I go all out for my cats, indoors and outdoors. I have a drinkwell water fountain as well as a couple of small gravity waterers inside, and 2 larger gravity waterers for my outsides. Inside I have cozy beds and hiding places (besides the ones they find on their own). I have perches. They’re allowed on the bed and couches, but not on the counters or tables, and I don’t catch them there so I don’t have to scat at them. For my outsides I have a small tower in front of a window, beds and cubbies, a heated bed, and a heated water dish in the loft of the garage. I give them all a LOT of treats! And I give them all lovins when they let me. One of my insides is relatively skittish, and a couple of my outsides are still and probably always be feral. But they do let me get close sometimes, and I’m gentle and loving with them so hopefully one day they will relax more. Overall, never underestimate the power of giving them attention, this is by far the best way to keep them out of trouble. String has always been a favorite game for almost all of my cats! And for those who do like petting, give them as many lovins as possible for good behavior! :)

Gerri Schultz June 3, 2010 at 4:13 pm

My Siamese cat began getting urinary infections. I believed that she was not drinking enough water.
I decided to entice her to drink in every room in the house. The novelty of drinking in different rooms promoted much more drinking. After this “wore off” I had to think of another way to encourage drinking. When I saw that she was looking for water in the Water Pik, I began to change the containers that I left water in. Now she drinks all the time and best of all, no more urinary infections!

sherri voigt June 3, 2010 at 4:55 pm

I have 4 cats, adopted at 3 different dates. The last one adopted had been at the shelter with the 2 youngest (he came home 4.5 months after them). In those months apart, the original cat and 2 younger ones bonded. When the 4th cat came into the house, the younger ones remembered him. Those 3 got along fine through the screen door that separated them. However, he had and the original cat (female) had no interest in being friends. I put up Feliway plug-ins in the “separate” room, which has the main litter box after they were let loose. It helped to reduce the aggression between the 2 cats. I now use them by both litter box clusters (have 5 of them in 2 different rooms). This product really can help with behavior issues, even if it can’t solve the dislike completely.

Brenda T June 3, 2010 at 5:59 pm

A cat’s environment needs to keep them interested and curious. I do this by rotating toys so that when they “reappear”, the cats have a renewed interest in them. I also try to add an actual new toy occasionally to stimulate their senses and I place the toys in different locations throughout my home so that the cats go on a scavenger hunt. I have also placed hard cat treats throughout my place for the cats to discover.

Shawn L June 3, 2010 at 6:14 pm

I inherited an old super grouchy cat named Barney about 5 years ago, when we got him we couldn’t even touch him without getting smacked. But I was set on being his friend. Every time I passed by him on his tree I would run my hand over his back quickly as I passed, and at first he would growl hiss and smack at me. Eventually tho it became a game for him and he looked for me to do it. He is 14 now and is still slightly grumpy but he loves to play and loves our company. I agree it is very good to hold, touch, play with them when they are kittens and it can also help when they are adults it just takes a bit more time and maybe a few more band-aids. (-:

Cindy G June 3, 2010 at 6:57 pm

For the cat that prefers the bathtub as a litter box
Start with an open litter box (no cover) very little cat litter if any at all put the box in the tub, if he is using it, begin putting in a little litter each day, when he is using regularly (be patient and give it time)move it outside the tub but in the bathroom preferably next to tub. Be sure to scrub the tub. At this point you can put a small amount of water in the tub,1/2 inch is good leave it there. He may jump in the tub and you will end up with wet paw prints but most cats will only do that once!
Good luck. Consider using unscented clay litter, I know it’s not as easy to work with as scoop but he may be sensitive to the perfumes & chemicals.

Linda Blasnek June 3, 2010 at 6:59 pm

I own 7 cats. The baby is just full of energy and the older cats get tired of her attacking (playing) with them all the time. So every morning and evening (before and after work) I have a long string that I swing around and she just chases it back and forth for about 10 minutes until she is just plain worn out. After expending all that energy she doen’t bother the older cats near as much.

Jessica Armstrong June 3, 2010 at 8:40 pm

Have a cat that doesn’t like to be brushed? A good option is to begin slowly with a Love glove or a brush that covers your hand completely. I currently use this glove that is fabric on top of the hand and has a grooming side on the palm of the glove. My cat Kizzy loves this and comes to the word brush. Always make it a pleasant experience for both you and your cat.

molly Dumas June 3, 2010 at 9:09 pm

I received a cat that did nit like to be touched at all, Everythime I went to the door he acted like he wanted out.I think he wanted to get back to his former home. I al, sometimes ways felt bad cause he had a previous home he just wanted to get to We don;t know where that is, so I was patient and gave him special attention that the other cats didn;t. It has been a year now but he lets me pet his head now and he follows me around and sleeps with me an once a day he will get on my lap amd stays for about 10 mins every day and I can pet him but not his belly/ Patience and kindness go a long way with stray animals. Now he will meow and rub against me and when I get out of a chair, he is on it in a flash.Sometimes he will let me pick him up,treats,patience and kindness works just as well on animals as it does on humans.People could learn valuable lessons from animals and a little kindness and patience would make a better world also. Thank you for letting me share my story Love every one and every thing. It is such a great problem solver for all, humane or animals. Molly

Dorothy Bunch June 4, 2010 at 12:25 am

I find that one of the biggest trouble starter is simply a bored or ignored kitty. I also find mischief can be an indication of jealousy. So I hide toys, have treats ready for good kitties and most important I make sure each kitty gets special alone time with me each day. It doesn’t have to be long, but it is a good bonding time for both of you. Entertainment is very important to keeping an agile happy kitty.

Dan June 4, 2010 at 12:42 am

I always wonder why my indoor/outdoor (90/10%) cat insists on using the litterbox every time. I would LOVE it if he used the great outdoors maybe just one out of every ten poops!

Alina Koludrovich June 4, 2010 at 12:51 am

hi everyone.I hope everyone is doing well and Happy! I live in Battle creek Michigan out in the country where it is peaceful and nature all around.I am a animal lover all the way! I have 7 indoor neutred and spayed cats. And three dogs two are Dobermans and the other is chihuahua. People drop off their cats in the fileds along the street and the strays seem to find my house.the shelter here in michigan are filled only the NO KILL shelter are the one I tried to get in so now I have 7 cats that I love like family.I don’t have children so they are sort of pet children for me.have a good understanding husband UNTIL the cats started to go potty in corners of some rooms.no matter how and what I used to clean up their potty they would still go back to use it.I clean the litter twice daliy which I don’t mind at all. I tried so many things to stop them.so what I did was to take Duck Tape and fold it so that the sticky side is up and when they think they can go back to the area they will have to touch the sticky tape. as of now they do not go potty there any more YEAH!! for me.

Mary D. June 4, 2010 at 1:32 am

I encourage my cats to drink plenty of water simply by giving them ice cubes in it. My older cat especially seems to enjoy chilled water. He will sit and wait for a few moments until the ice has time to cool the water and then have a nice long drink.

Bethany K. June 4, 2010 at 8:47 am

I live in a house with seven cats, who don’t always get along. Though they can be separated and each taking turns exploring the outdoors I find that sometimes they just need a distraction. Freshly grown catmint is a great distraction, my cats like it better than catnip, plus it grows like a weed so they can go roll in the plant without destroying any single plant and if they do there are other plants for the next day. Until the plant is bigger or if you have an indoor cat you can always just pinch or cut off some leaves or a stem. Best cat distraction I have found to get them focused on something else besides each other.

Ellen B. June 4, 2010 at 8:51 am

Just want to say that I am so impressed with the advice from everyone in this cat community. The combination of creativity and common sense makes this an incredible resource for cat owners. Thanks to each one of you. Few more days of collecting comments and then the lucky person will be selected to win the treehouse!

Connie June 4, 2010 at 9:19 am

I have found that cats soak up praise like sunbeams. When I want them to do something I tend to praise the living daylights out of them when they do it. I find negatives do not work, so being angry and saying no and don’t are pretty ineffective but disappointment (the opposite of praise) seems to sink in a lot better.

that and making sure there is enough vertical surface (such as the cat tree in this give away) per cat is very important. Cats like to get up off the floor and survey their territory. Helps them feel safe and secure and in charge.

Crystal G June 4, 2010 at 1:14 pm

It’s always a good thing to use preventative care when possible. I have my kitty’s teeth cleaned at least once a year,and the vet checks for any problems at the same time-kind of like a physical for cats. Also,good to remember that older cats are like older people-they can have a hard time getting around or jumping up and down on their furniture,etc….I bought a pet step that was not too tall but wide,and sturdy,and it helps my older kitty jump up to/down from her favorite places,even in the back yard.

Pamela Torro June 4, 2010 at 4:06 pm

When our cat was a kitten he would come into our bed and wake us up by pawing our faces. We started making the no noise without saying no and he has learned to stop. Also, when he jumps up if we do not open our eyes he will not attempt to be pet, he will lie down and wait until we open our eyes.

Susan Navidad June 4, 2010 at 5:06 pm

I have a multi-cat/multi-dog household. We have trained the dogs to leave the cats alone, and we provide space for the cats to call their own. This translates to less stress for our felines. (And fresh catnip at all times also helps!).

Barbara June 4, 2010 at 6:14 pm

When it’s time to clip my kitten’s claws, I give her a lot of loving first and get her relaxed and laid back, and before you know it, I’ve got her cradled in my arm and the clippers in the other hand and I’m nearly done before she realizes what I’m up to.

Jackie June 4, 2010 at 6:44 pm

We have rescue cats and really enjoy them. The last one we took in had been cured of distemper and lost good control of his hind legs, so many places are not possible for Leo to get to normally. We have made a special entrance to our screen porch for him using doggie steps to get in and out of the window door we have made. We make sure their cat food is kept up high away from the dogs and have steps for Leo to get to that area. Toys are changed out and they love their Mice. We also keep a couple of big dog balls that have a fabric type outer area which the cats love to grab in their paws and scratch with their hind legs. Also, the pop up cubes make a good hiding place to pop out of when another cat or dog comes by. And our house has pet beds in many hiding places for them to take their much needed naps.

Kate June 4, 2010 at 8:44 pm

I find it works well to use both negative commands (clapping/”No” in firm voice) and positive reinforcement with my crazy calico. I took her over to the sisal scratching post on the kitty cradle if she tried to scratch on the armchair, and then praised her as she took up scratching the sisal. After several times doing that, of course she still tries to scratch on the armchair–I told you she’s a crazy calico–but now I catch her and tell her no, and then I ask in a nice voice, “Where does a GOOD girl scratch?” Then she runs over to the kitty cradle and starts scratching. Yay!

Sue June 4, 2010 at 8:50 pm

Cats are telepathic. Try to suggest a positive action to your cat. If you say “Don’t pee outside the litterbox”, you visualize them peeing outside the litterbox which is opposite of what you want. If instead you say “Keep your rear inside the box” and visualize them on/in the box, that conveys a positive thought.

marlo sicoli June 4, 2010 at 8:59 pm

This has been said numerous times but can not be said enough, litterboxes and cat furniture. Allow one litter box per cat plus one and scoop often. Cats seem to prefer clumping unscented litter ans stick with the same brand. Also cats LOVE to scratch and need to also. So provide cat trees, scratching posts and cardboard scratchers to keep your cats happy. Also provide bird houses and squirrel feeders outside for indoor only cats and just listen to all the chattering and squeeky noises that come from your cat.

deborah darsie June 5, 2010 at 12:06 am

My senior cats are such goofs, and they have had their health challenges.

Good litterbox behavior is something I don’t under-appreciate.
The younger cat had a run-in with struvite crystals…over the last 10 years they have been eating prescription diets ever since.

Now the oldest is dealing with renal failure. With the help of the pharmacy I am better able to deal with her needs at a reasonable cost! I love the resources for pet owners available on the web site as well.

Ashley June 5, 2010 at 1:21 am

I find the best way to keep cats from doing things you don’t want them to do is to keep them entertained! We have 23 animals but out of all of them, they cats have by far the most toys. Cats are very curious creatures so you need to keep their minds stimulated or they’ll find some way to do it themselves. I believe this is especially important for indoor only cats, which all 7 of our cats are. We have a large variety of toys as well, including a cat tree, several scratchers, a laser pointer & toys for them to bat around. If a cat is doing something we don’t want, we redirect their attention to a toy. Scartching somewhere we don’t want? We take them to a scratching post or their tree. Chewing on a twist tie? We take it away and toss them one of their balls. Remember – always keep a cat busy!

Jackie June 5, 2010 at 8:59 am

I reward them for good behavior by giving them treats, For bad behavior I tell them no in a firm voice,and if that don’t solve the problem I reach for a small water gun shaped like an alligator,
For fights I put them in a time out carrier for a few minutes, to calm them down.

Carol White June 5, 2010 at 10:42 am

What has woked for bad behavior with my cat is a little extra TLC. We spend a sometime together in the morning and make time in the evening to pet and brush( which she loves!). Just a little extra attention focused on her once or twice a day has helped to calm her and stop the bad behavior.

Darlyne June 5, 2010 at 4:10 pm

Last spring a kitten adopted our yard (and my husband who happened to be feeding her.) She always greeted us when we went into the back yard and attempted to get in the door everytime we went in. I always assumed she belonged to one of the neighbors. Then we didn’t see her for a week and we were surprised when she came back looking tired and literally jumped at the food and water we put out. Then one day my husband shouted for me from the back yard. Who knew a kitten could have a litter of kittens?!! We never intended to keep them but the shelters were full and none of our friends wanted them. So we gradually “Catified” our house for their safety and our peace of mind. We had them all spayed and neutered at the Humane Association, ordered flea medication from Drs. Foster & Smith, replaced the makeshift litter boxes as money allowed, gave them paper bags and empty boxes to explore, balled up tin foil balls to play soccer through the house and we are happy to say we are parents to five beautiful Cats.

Sandy June 5, 2010 at 5:29 pm

I have 2 indoor cats and a dog. They get along nicely. One of my kitties likes to play in the dogs water dish. All I can say to him is “Baby, stop playing in Daisys water” He listens, sometimes.

Gina C June 5, 2010 at 7:36 pm

I adopted a two year old cat that had been abused by his former owner so he was labeled as “mouthy” (aka a biter). I was able to teach him not to bite by repeating a phase he learned to understand. I told him “no biting please” and said “thank you very much” when he stopped. I always tell him he is a good boy. After a while the patience and kindness I showed him helped him learn not to bite anymore. He is a very happy friendly and loving boy.

Carolyn June 5, 2010 at 10:28 pm

We have a 5 cat household and I find each one does have their own personality. But I find they all like getting groomed. It seems to relax them and after they are brushed I wipe their coat down with a kitty wipe and they also enjoy the quality time that is being spent with them.

Melanie June 6, 2010 at 1:52 am

Being a lifetime cat owner, I’ve found one of the most difficult things to do is to put a cat in the carrier to take it to the vet. I found, after much experimenting, that the following works pretty consistently. Have a lightweight towel that is large (bath-size) handy. Have the carrier open and ready for loading. Drop the towel over the cat and scoop them up together. (Not being able to see for a moment seems to disorient the cat – although time if of the essence.) Put the towel-covered cat into the carrier as quickly as possible. By the time you get the door latched, the cat will have untangled itself from the towel and you’re off to the V-E-T. The next thing to figure out is how to stop them from crying the whole time during the drive over!

Barbara Bowker June 6, 2010 at 9:55 am

My dog found our kitten (probably about 6 weeks old) almost three years ago crying under some bushes. We took her home, tried to find her first home and couldn’t, and kept her. She has been a joy. She sits under a certain dining room chair wating for her treats in the morning and now knows that she’s an indoor cat after being chased after and brought back several times! I think a lot of love is what helps to make a pet a wonderful part of your family.

bonnie June 6, 2010 at 12:06 pm

i dont allow my 3 cats-1 male & 2 females on the counters or the table- i use a spray bottle to keep them off. my male cat still tries to get up there but all i hafta do is shake the water bottle n he doesnt get up there. i have 3 litter boxes in different rooms for them. my male terrorises my 1 female cat – water bottle does not work – i have to keep them separated – if i dont – she will not use the litter box – i guess she is scared that he will attack her – any help will b appreciated =thanx

Amy June 6, 2010 at 2:11 pm

I think it is very important to take care of your cat or any other animal you have. I think you should make time to play with them. Make sure they have food and water. Make sure your cat or dog has plenty of treats when needed. Make sure your cat has a clean litter box because my cat tells me if I don’t. Which she tells me if she needs anything. But every animal is different from another. I know that because I have had two other cats in my lifetime. They are just as wonderful as the next one can be. I have loved cats and other animals as long as I can remember. Thanks for letting me leave a comment. Sincerely, Amy

Eileen Herceg-Brown June 6, 2010 at 4:52 pm

I have five cats inside and they need their space and Foster and Smith’s cat furniture is loved by them all. They do not all like exactly the same furniture which is why I purchased two of the spiral penthouses where they play and sleep in the cup at night and one where they can hide inside. For my sixteen year old cat, the stairs enables him to climb up and look out the window and take a nap. Their heated cup is fantastic in winter and having the furniture as well as enough stimulating toys helps to entertain them and provide enough space for them to play and sleep. For new arrivals, initial isolation to one room and using Feliway as well as Rescue Remedy helps make the adjustment so much easier. Allowing the other cats to get the scent of the other cat before meeting also helps the transition to the household. Brushing them all, even for a few minutes each day can be a bonding experience as well as decreasing jealousy as you spend time with each cat every day. All my cats get along due to a combination and CONSISTENCY that cats need and enjoy. This keeps them happy and the good behavior follows.

Christine June 6, 2010 at 5:44 pm

One thing we’ve learned is to never leave any type of string, yarn, etc. around the house where our cats can get at them. A cat can eat the string or get tangled up in it; even choking themself. If you put the item away and only bring it out for play time, they’ll be so much more excited and ready to play. A simple piece of cotton string has become one of our cats (Hunter) favorite toys (and he has lots to choose from). The string is about 3 feet long and frayed at the end. We pull it around the house and he’ll chase it, pounce on it and sometimes even do a somersault when he attacks it. We were lucky the one time we left the string out. Nothing serious happened but it could have. Hunter ate the string and had issues with his bowel movement a couple days later. It all came out OK in the end (ha ha), but it was a bit messy. The string now “lives” in a closet and Hunter will go to the closet door and meow loudly; asking if the string can come out and play.

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