Why you should never hit a cat

Why does a cat not let a cat near her during heat: reasons

Physiology is designed in such a way that the pet allows mating only during estrus. The optimal time for fertilization is considered to be the period between the third and fifth days of estrus. It is at this time that ovulation occurs. Therefore, animals should be brought together for mating on the second day.

They will get used to each other. The first mating stimulates the movement of the egg from the ovary towards the uterus. The signal is the pain that the female experiences when the cat removes its rough genital organ. In one of the next intercourse, conception occurs.

"Crimes" and punishments

One can only adapt to the habits of semi-domesticated “dwarf lions”. The main principle of education is not to suppress, but to satisfy the needs of a willful animal. Otherwise, the cute kitten will turn into a secretive and vengeful beast. Let's consider the typical offenses of meowing pets and competent methods of “re-education”.

How to punish a cat if she shits

An animal must be toilet trained from the first day it arrives in the house. It’s better to buy two trays: cats prefer to go to different places when they need to be small and big. Every time after eating, it is recommended to take the kitten to the toilet and reward it for correct behavior.

A serious mistake is using newspaper as a filler. It is not able to absorb moisture, and the cat’s wet paws will carry specific odors throughout the house. This will inevitably lead to hygienic disorientation of the animal and conflicts with the owners.

How to properly punish a cat in this case? The usual method - “poking with the snout” - will only add to the problems. The pet will understand it in its own way: “That’s right, continue to act this way.” If you add “spanking” to “poking,” fear and resentment will settle in the cat’s soul. Productive ways to solve the “toilet” problem are obvious: changing the filler and/or moving the tray to a place that is comfortable for the cat.

The inner world of a domestic cat

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.

Why you can't drag a cat by the scruff of the neck

Thanks to the innate reflex, the kitten, when the mother cat drags it, grabbing it by the scruff of the neck, relaxes its body, and also tucks its hind legs and tail. Temporary paralysis is explained by pinching of a bundle of nerves located on the back of the neck. It is much easier for a cat to move a relaxed and non-resisting baby to a safe place. During carrying, the cat does not cause any harm or pain to its cub. The scruff of a cat's neck is considered the most painless part of the body. However, adult pets cannot be lifted or dragged by the scruff of the neck.

Cats drag kittens, biting the scruff of the neck with their teeth

Reasons are physiological

The ban on lifting an adult cat by the scruff of the neck is explained by physiology:

A mature animal's skin is rougher and less elastic than that of a small kitten. The skin does not stretch well and may even tear.
The neck muscles may become damaged (stretched or torn), since the pet is already quite heavy.
The rough skin becomes very tight and puts pressure on the throat, making it difficult for the cat to breathe.
A sharp grab by the scruff of the neck can even damage the spine (in rare cases).

In an unusual position, some individuals panic, break out and scratch themselves badly. At the same time, they cause physical harm not only to the person who grabbed them, but also to themselves.

In principle, it is impossible to take a big cat by the scruff of the neck.

Our previous cat was small and puny. He was constantly playing dirty tricks, and that’s why they often dragged him by the scruff of the neck. This did not cause him any visible suffering. The current cat is distinguished by good quality and fatness. It is not easy to grab her by the scruff of the neck, and besides, these actions clearly cause severe pain to the cat.

Reasons are psychological

From a psychological point of view, the consequences of grabbing by the scruff of the neck can be as follows:

the pet will be very frightened and then will not approach the owner, and sometimes even people;
when a cat is taken by the scruff of the neck, he becomes helpless and weak-willed, which is a huge stress for him;
a timid animal after such violent actions will try to escape from the house at the first opportunity;
an offended cat will perceive pulling by the scruff of the neck as an undeserved punishment that may not be forgiven;
a self-sufficient cat will feel humiliated and lose trust in its owner.

In this position, the cat feels unprotected and it makes him angry.

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.

Building a cat's character without beating

Is it possible to raise an animal to be obedient without beating and screaming? Of course you can. The main thing is patience. First, understand that you will still have to punish the cat, but not by force, but by special methods. Otherwise, the animal may grow up arrogant and spoiled, which will cause you a lot of problems in the future.

To intimidate an animal when it commits any unwanted actions, use the following method. If you see that your cat is misbehaving (sharpening its claws in the wrong place, jumping on the table, etc.), arm yourself with a spray bottle. At the moment the cat commits a “crime,” spray the animal with water from a spray bottle, preferably in the face. This will not cause your pet pain or cause panic, but it will be a powerful warning, since cats really do not like water. Moreover, the warning will not come from you, but from a foreign object, in this case from a spray bottle. What do you get from this method? Good relationship with the cat and its exemplary behavior.

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.

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.

Why you shouldn't hit cats - signs

It is considered an extremely bad omen for a cat to suddenly leave the house because it was hit. If this happens, the pet should certainly be found and appeased in order to avert trouble.

If this is not done, constant scandals and quarrels will begin in the family, and material well-being will turn into its complete opposite.

Popular superstitions do not advise dousing cats with water for fun. This is especially true for little boys. If this prohibition is violated, the life of the one who offended the animal will be reduced by more than half.

According to popular belief, a cat protects the house from evil spirits. If a person hits his pet, he may become offended and angry with the owner. Accordingly, the magical protection will weaken, which means the house will become vulnerable to the machinations of dark forces, black magical influence, damage and the evil eye.

Hitting a cat on the back is a sign of problems with your own back. Hitting a cat on the paws is a sign of diseases of the arms and legs. Hitting a cat on the head will cause pimples to appear on the nose and long-lasting ulcers on the face.

Is it possible to hit a cat for educational purposes?

The word “beat” hides both a blow with a slipper and execution with hands and feet. It’s stupid to beat a cat and hope for proper upbringing and a trusting relationship.

The animal perceives a person as a super cat with a high rank. If you severely punish a kitten, the pet will begin to be afraid and hide from its owner. A sexually mature adult cat will regard attacks not as an educational process, but as a challenge to check rank. This is not revenge when a cat pours urine on your slippers - this is the restoration of social status and justice.

It is better not to lead to a serious conflict. If you want to punish a cat, don't hit it. For educational purposes, try using more loyal methods:

slap with newspaper;
spray it in the face with a spray bottle;
isolate for 20 minutes (no more!).

Advice: when incorrect behavior arose due to overexcitation (for example, the animal became overexcited at an exhibition), walking on a harness helps. New impressions extinguish inappropriate attacks and cultivate calm.

The cause of hyperactive behavior, even in a well-mannered cat, can be:

damage to the nervous system;
diseases of the endocrine system;
stress factor;
dangerous diseases (rabies).

If your appetite, sleep, or behavior have changed, do not rush to raise your cat; first visit a veterinarian.

How to make punishment more effective

◦During feeding, you can simply close the door to the living room, then your pet will not drag the food onto the carpet or sofa;

◦Just lock the cat in the kitchen during lunch;

◦It is also possible that the cat will stop going to the carpet with food if you remove it from the floor for a while;

◦ the easiest way is to teach your cat from infancy to eat in the same place, then such problems will not arise.

4. Scratching cats - methods of control.

◦To begin with, the easiest way is to put your slippers on the guest so that the cat takes you for one of its own;

◦You can also tie an apron or apron if the guest is a girl. This method can equally work;

◦You can also drop your cologne or perfume on the guest, which your cat knows and is accustomed to;

◦If nothing works, just close it while your guests are in the kitchen.

An animal that has committed some bad act does not always understand what it has done. Most often, cats play or look for a comfortable place. For example, if a pet climbs onto new furniture, then it seems comfortable to him. In such cases, the cat cannot be punished. It is advisable to buy her a special soft bed or lay a blanket on the sofa so that it remains in its original form longer.

The same can be said about broken dishes, souvenirs, vases - this is a game for a pet. He sees how the fragments fly in different directions, and this arouses interest. Breaking and breaking household items is common for small kittens.

The animal tears wallpaper, furniture and carpets with its claws - a sign that it urgently needs a scratching post. If it is not there, then there is no point in scolding the cat - the owner is to blame. And if there is, then it either does not suit the pet, or he does not understand its purpose. In such cases, it is necessary to show the kitten the place where the claw sharpener is located.

Be sure to encourage the animal if it does everything correctly - pet it, scratch it behind the ear, treat it with delicious food.

So how can you punish

There are several proven rules here.

First. Punishment should follow only in hot pursuit, that is, if you have just caught the animal doing something forbidden. If you come home in the evening and find that the cat has dug up soil from flower pots, it is useless to punish after the fact. He just doesn't remember what he did in the morning.
Second. Try to adapt to the cat in some ways, make compromises. Pay attention to the temperament and characteristics of the animal you know better than anyone else. Don't provoke him. Does he like to tear paper into small pieces? Put all documents away. Throwing laundry out of the basket? Place it out of reach. If your cat likes to climb into cabinets, make sure that there are no fragile objects in the public domain. If he enthusiastically torments the upholstery of the sofa with his claws, try to accustom the animal to a scratching post. The attempt failed, you really want a new sofa, but are you afraid that it will suffer the same fate? Feel free to change the furniture, but leave the cat an armrest from the old one he loves. Some owners solve the problem radically - they remove the cat's claws. Under no circumstances should you do this. This procedure is very painful. After it, many cats develop infections. Nature created cats this way, and such changes mean suffering for the animal.

Make small concessions, and your life with your cat will be comfortable and cozy.
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Tender beast

Kittens are fluffy little balls of love that cause nothing but affection... until you bring them into your home. Yes, they are funny and playful, but all cats are animals with character. So be prepared for their mischief and curiosity, which makes you climb the curtains to the ceiling or study the window sills with flowers. A cat feels like a full-fledged mistress in its territory, and if you want to set boundaries for it and dictate your own rules, you will have to do it not with force, but with cunning. Under no circumstances should you hit her.

Hitting a cat is not only a pointless activity, but also harmful. And not only because you can’t offend your pet. Living with her under the same roof will also become very difficult. A cat's sadness and resentment very easily turns into anger and rage. So, if a pet is beaten, such a parenting strategy will most likely lead to the animal growing up to be mischievous, aggressive and bullying.

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.

You cannot treat a cat with medications from your first aid kit.

Some of our medications may be suitable for cats. But there are also those that are poison. For example, it was a discovery for me when a veterinarian I knew warned me that all paracetamol-based medications, even in minute quantities, can send a cat to the next world. By the way, this was told to me so that I would hide my migraine medications away from them.

Also, compare our body weight to that of a cat. Even if some antibiotic is suitable, how do you calculate the dose relative to its weight?

Now there are many drugs for cats and dogs, antibiotics for their treatment. Therefore, there is no need to give them something “human”. And there is no need to self-medicate. This is also bad to do in the case of a person who can tell where and how he hurts. But the cat won’t even tell you this!

Therefore, if your pet suddenly refuses to eat, becomes apathetic, etc., it is best to immediately contact a veterinarian. After all, modern clinics are now equipped with all the necessary diagnostic facilities. There she will undergo tests, x-rays, and all the necessary procedures.

Folk wisdom

There is a popular saying: pregnant women should not hit cats. And not only to beat, but in general to offend in some way. Of course, popular rumor says that this can affect the child's health, as he will have birthmarks or be nervous. In fact, this sign has a very realistic justification.

The fact is that during pregnancy, the cat’s owner abruptly switches her attention to the unborn baby. The expecting child receives all the tenderness and care that the cat previously received.

This causes jealousy and resentment in cats, because they only seem to be self-sufficient and independent, but in fact they really need our affection and are attached to us. Therefore, during this difficult period for a cat, any action that may offend her will have a very strong impact on her. Some cats may never forgive their owners after this - they will stop being affectionate and act as if they have been replaced.

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:

Buying another cat or dog.
Alternating new toys every day.
Purchasing a horizontal installation on which the animal can climb.
Placing pleasant surprises for the animal in the apartment - unaccounted for feeders, tennis balls or pieces of catnip.
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

Color	Character
Black	Gentle, a little nervous and curious.
White	Touchy and capricious.
Black and white	Sociable, sociable, the pet becomes attached to the owner.
Ginger	Flexible, loves peace.
Striped	Unsociable, willful and independent.

Ginger cats are considered homebodies

Should you always scold your cat for bad actions?

It is quite difficult for a person to read the emotions of a mustachioed friend, because the fluffy one is not capable of showing strong feelings. Before punishing a cat for bad behavior, you need to find out the motive for its behavior - what if it is not punishment that is needed, but help?

What habits need correction?

Usually, any prank of a mustachioed friend can be explained. Some habits of a pet can be corrected and may disappear from the mischief-maker’s arsenal over time. So, if a cat persistently climbs onto the table in search of treats, then underfeeding becomes a likely motive.

Sometimes the animal ignores the litter box due to excessive soiling or problems with urination. In this case, it is enough to simply change the filler or consult a veterinarian for advice.

Misdemeanors caused by lack of attention or loneliness (damage to furniture, wallpaper, piles in the wrong place) can be corrected. You need to devote more time to the animal, play with it and caress it - or get a pet partner so that both of them do not get bored when people are away.

What cannot be punished for

You cannot scold an animal that has just appeared in the house. A new family member needs some time to get used to the smells and surroundings of another home. The stress of changing housing, living conditions and new people causes serious emotional stress in the furry. If during this period he is subjected to harsh educational manipulations, the baby is unlikely to understand what they want from him and will withdraw into himself.

Sometimes a four-legged friend marks everything around due to problems with the genitourinary system. Pain while going to the toilet forces you to do wrong things - this should not be confused with harmfulness.

Other ailments can also lead to behavioral deviations. You can’t scold an animal for them - it already feels bad, and it most likely understands that it’s breaking the rules. There's just nothing he can do about it. An attentive owner should monitor the health of his mustachioed friend and consult a doctor in a timely manner.

Beats

If you train an animal by beating, the result will be nothing more than a constant feeling of fear. So, it is useless to hit a cat to train him to use the litter box, just as it is pointless to poke his nose into a puddle. From the cat's point of view, poking his face into the puddle, you explain to him that in this place he has a toilet. Perhaps some cat will understand exactly what you meant with your gesture, but most will simply be afraid of you. And, by the way, if the cat categorically does not recognize the litter box and continues to make puddles all over the house, have him examined by a veterinarian; health problems are possible.

How to raise a kitten

Many owners adore and idolize the "kote", allowing them to steal food from the plate, scratch furniture and sleep on the owner's pillow. If you don’t raise a cat after six months, the simplest combing of fur results in bitten hands and terrible stress, not to mention nightly praises and tactless invasions of personal space.

Only through learning the correct behavior and upbringing does a kitten become a member of the family. You shouldn’t turn an animal into a petty tyrant with your own hands.

War is war, but lunch is on schedule

To raise a respectable cat, it is important to follow the diet and basic rules of nutrition:

They feed 4-5 times a day (one-time treats are not taken into account).
In order to properly raise and instill in a kitten the manners of refined food consumption, only one place for feeding is allocated.
A bowl of water is required.
They either provide ready-made professional food or immediately formulate a natural diet.
Everything that is not eaten at once is removed.

Punishment rules

To prevent the cat from thinking that its owner is a sadist, it is necessary to use democratic methods of education. You can punish your pet without assault. Better yet, punish cats in accordance with the following rules:

The timeliness of punishment is the most crucial moment. It will be clear to the cat why he is being punished if retribution occurs immediately after committing the dirty trick. If you punish a cat in the evening for going to the toilet in the wrong place in the morning, she will be completely bewildered by what is happening. Moreover, the animal may become very upset and decide that the owner has stopped loving him, will begin to treat him with caution or even take revenge - it all depends on the character of the pet. Payment for sins - before punishing your beloved cat, you need to figure out whether the committed dirty trick is really her paws. Perhaps it was one of the household members who dropped a flower pot and was afraid to admit it, or other animals were frolicking in the absence of their owners. Moderation of punishment - the amount of damage from cat pranks can be either insignificant or enormous. The main thing is to punish

It is important for the cat to clearly convey that he is to blame, without succumbing to emotions and without going to extreme measures. Now don’t kill the cat if he broke his favorite vase

There is no need to hit the animal - this method has an increased risk of injury to the cat and is also not effective. You can also punish verbally. Painful sensations will not help the cat think carefully about its behavior. In addition, this may lead to retaliatory aggression or resentment.

Purrs don’t understand what “no” means. In relation to cats and children, taboos are meaningless: they cause a backlash.
Traditional punishments of scolding and beating will bring negative results: the attacker will become the cat's worst enemy. She will fear, hate and take revenge on the offender. Rather than start a thrashing, it is wiser to calm down the prankster with an “accidentally” dropped key or a stream of water from a spray bottle.
In addition to losing trust in the owner, corporal punishment can cause harm to the pet's health. If you hit a cat on the head, you can upset the vestibular system, hurt the auditory nerve, and disrupt the most important functions of the brain. Is it possible to hit a cat on the butt? Definitely not: in the area of the tail, the continuation of the spinal column, there is a bundle of nerve endings. If you do not calculate the blow, you can cause a painful shock (cats have an unusually developed sense of touch), break a backbone, and damage the genitals.
It is useless to scold someone for a prank committed more than half an hour ago. The tailed prankster will not learn such a lesson. It’s another matter if he is caught at the moment of harm and suffers adequate punishment.
To avoid conflicts between an old-timer cat and a newbie animal, the former should be given maximum respect: give priority during feeding, caress more. Then he will not mistake the “alien” for a competitor. To prevent your cat from becoming jealous of your newborn baby, you need to set aside time for playing and talking with your pet.

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.

Most cat owners note that these animals are completely devoid of guilt. They do not know how to adapt to their owners and rather live not with them, but next to them. In this article we will tell you how to properly raise these willful animals and why you should not hit cats.

Why does a cat do something punishable?

The same can be said about broken dishes, souvenirs, vases - for a pet this is a game. He sees how the fragments fly in different directions, and this arouses interest. Breaking and breaking household items is common for small kittens.

Be sure to encourage the animal if it does everything correctly - pet it, scratch it behind the ear, treat it with delicious food.

We bring to the attention of readers one option for pacifying a cat, which has proven itself well:

If the owner, for example, notices that the cat intends to do something that does not delight the owner, you should arm yourself with a regular bottle of water with a sprayer. And as soon as the cat begins to misbehave, you need to sharply direct a stream of water at it. This can scare away any cat without causing it pain, and then it will associate this punishment with its actions. Cats are afraid of water, and therefore this method works quite effectively without causing any mental trauma to the cat. It is worth noting that the cat will associate its punishment not so much with its owner, but with the spray bottle in his hands. In other words, in her opinion, it was not the owner who punished her, but the sprayer. It would seem a paradox, but this is exactly so.

With proper upbringing, with age, a cat plays pranks less and less or stops playing pranks, without causing any inconvenience to its owners at all, however, even a well-mannered adult cat can play pranks, even realizing what retribution will befall it for this. Don’t be upset and think that all your upbringing has gone down the drain. Most likely, the pet simply decided to show its character “as a precaution.” In this case, you shouldn’t be upset by rudeness, because as the cat grows up, it becomes more and more understanding and at the same time more vulnerable (provided, of course, that it is used to trusting you). Therefore, one should not react violently to such offenses, especially since they are extremely rare.

Raising any pet involves punishment. But it is important to remember that educational methods should not be violent or cruel. If there is a small kitten living in the house, then you should treat it more leniently. Over time, he will understand what he can do and what is strictly prohibited. The same applies to adult animals - sometimes they need time to get used to something new and unusual. It is important that the cat understands its owner, and is not simply afraid to perform some actions.

If not punishment, then what?

Accolades and awards

Nothing affects a cat like the right treat.
You don't praise your cat for bad behavior, only for good behavior. For example: the cat used the scratching post - great, you pet it, play with it with a laser, guide the cat towards the scratching post, give it extra fun.
The cat jumped onto a shelf specially prepared for her, her favorite position by the window - pet her and together you can have fun barking at the birds outside the window.

Expert advice

When a cat climbs onto the kitchen table , you hiss or make a sound near her so that she associates this unpleasant sound with jumping on the table.
To discourage your cat from scratching furniture and sofa upholstery, you should cover them with film or foil - cats really do not like such surfaces and will avoid them. At the same time, you need to provide your cat with an alternative - a scratching post designed for her, tailored to her size and preferences. Test out the fancy cardboard scratching posts - their texture is very attractive to cat feet, most cats already know what these cardboard boxes are after a few days. These cardboard pieces are easy to make yourself or you can buy them inexpensively. When the cat tears them, you throw them in the waste paper and make a new one. Cheap, convenient, environmentally friendly.
A cat urinates on socks thrown anywhere - hide the laundry in a closed basket, keep order. The cat urinates on the bedding - put it in the closet and cover the top of the bed with film or foil - cats don’t really like this surface.

Don't provoke the cat

A large, wide pot of soil placed on the floor will likely be viewed by the cat as an additional litter box. To prevent this from happening, place the pot on a platform and cover the surface of the ground with pebbles or mesh - it will no longer be attractive to the cat.
Don't want your cat ruining your clothes? Then put it in a closed closet and leave the laundry basket with the lid closed (installed on top).
The cat likes to observe its surroundings from a certain height. If you don't want it to be a table, create a viewing area for your cat that is more attractive than a table top and that is easily accessible at all times. Wall shelves are ideal for this role.

Never mind

When your cat is up to something, you can just get up and walk away. Go to the next room, to the kitchen, to the balcony, to leave the house. Leaving the cat to its own devices and temporarily ignoring it when it scratches and bites us is an excellent educational method.

Don't look at or talk to the cat

Making eye contact and talking to your pet are communication channels that strengthen the bond between human and cat.
If you temporarily ignore the cat, you will not look at him, you will not talk to him - this will be a punishment for the cat.

As you can see, there is a peaceful method for every cat trick. By observing your furbaby and knowing what's behind his behavior, you can design your home to keep him happy and prevent potential damage.

Upbringing

You need to raise a cat correctly. First of all, keep in mind that she has no understanding of cause and effect relationships. If you punish her, hit her or shout, she understands only one thing - you are trying to offend her or harm her.

She will in no way connect your punishment with that piece of meat stolen from the table or a pile in a flower pot. All that you will achieve if you beat your pet for pranks is that the cat will not do such things in front of you.

Secondly, never forget how you appear to a cat: a huge and strong person with a loud voice and heavy palms. Imagine yourself in her place: a small, lightweight creature dependent on you. Imagine how she feels when you punish her. This will help you avoid hitting your pet even when you are very angry with him.

To punish a cat, you don't have to hit it; instead, use:

Flower spray bottle . As soon as you notice that the cat is climbing the curtain again or has settled down to do its business in a flower pot, take a spray bottle and spray water on it. It won't hurt her or scare her too much. But the cat will remember that something unpleasant happened in this situation, and will not repeat it. The advantage of this method is that she will not directly associate the punishment with your person, and will not begin to be afraid of you.
Products with an unpleasant taste or strong odor. If your pet explores the world and tries everything, it makes no sense to beat her for it. You just need to make her stop wanting to do it. Is your cat chewing on wires or plant leaves? Treat them with a special anti-gnat product, which is sold in pet stores.
Harmless traps . To make it clear to your cat that she should not jump into certain places, you can put objects in them that the cat will definitely touch. For example, place a metal tray on the edge of a table, or empty tin cans on a cabinet. The main thing is that they are positioned unstable and fall when the cat gets to them. A loud, sharp noise will cause her an unpleasant sensation and an association with this place: subsequently it will cease to be so tempting for her.
Noisy objects . If you notice your cat doing something wrong, you can scare it away. For example, throw an empty can or a bunch of keys in her direction. The main thing is not to hit her with these objects, but just create noise nearby.

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.

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