Feline Q&A on Cat Training and Cat Behavior

Q: Can you  train cats?

A: Yes, cat training is not as impossible as the majority of folks assume it is. Cats are not as attentive to training as Fido or Rover are but they are trainable. Food rewards offered as positive reinforcement is most likely the main means to successful cat training.

Q: Why and how do pet cats make a purring sound?

A: Grown cats purr because they are happy and contented and to play on the emotions of humans — Who can ignore a purring kitty? Kittens purr in answer to their mother cat’s purr to help bond them. It is usually believed that the purring is a vibration of the vocal chords as air is pushed though it. It is also believed that purring is a voluntary action.

Q: What is the reason quite a few people are allergic to cats?

A: Cat allergies are caused by the proteins in cat dander coming from the cat’s saliva. The dander dries and becomes airborne. People with cat allergies have a reaction because their immune system is beginning to attack the foreign protein and creates histamines.

Q: How do you stop naughty cat behavior such as biting?

A: The best way to change unwanted cat behavior is the same way the mother cat controls an errant kitten. This is by scuffing the cat. You firmly but gently grasp the cat by the scruff of the neck and hold it down until it calms down. You must do this at the time of the undesirable behavior.

Q: How do you litter train a cat?

A: You really shouldn’t be required to do any training for a cat to make use of a litter pan, but if your previously litter trained cat has begun to avoid the litter pan you need to figure out why. The cat may have a urinary tract infection in which case you need to visit the vet. If it is just too dirty you need to keep it cleaner. If you have changed litter you may have to change back or sprinkle a little catnip in the litter to attract the cat to the new litter.

Q: How do you keep cats off counter tops?

A: This is one of the most asked about cat behavior issues and can be a tough one. Cats like elevated spots and they may find food or food smells on tables and counters. It is best to keep the counters clean and to use something like foil or double sided tape to keep cats off the tables.