Can cats be trained!
It is commonly believed that cats cannot be trained. The independent reputation of cats makes some people love them all the more; others prefer dogs for the same reason. The fact is, as independent as cats are, they can in fact be trained to a greater extent than many pet owners realize. If your cat exhibits problem behavior, this should be a relief to you.
People sometimes think that where cats are concerned they either have to simply put up with a problem --whether it be aggression, destructive behavior or not using the litter box-- or get rid of the cat. This is, in most cases, simply not true. The vast majority of cats can be trained out of troublesome behavior.
Litter box problems are a common complaint among cat owners. When your cat does not use the litter box properly -or at all!- it is unpleasant, not to mention unsanitary. Cats are naturally clean, so using a litter box comes quite naturally to them. If a cat that was using a litter box suddenly does not, this is a definite warning of a problem. To rule out a medical problem, you should first bring your cat to the veterinarian.
If the cat has been medically cleared, make sure that the litter box is kept clean. Also, the litter box should be kept in a quiet area, and not right next to the cat's food and water. In this respect, cats are like people; they like a separate "bathroom" that has a certain amount of privacy. The box should also be the right size; big enough to accommodate the cat comfortably, but not too big.
What about the problem of a cat who is aggressive and bites and scratches you? This is hardly desirable behavior in a pet, and fortunately is can usually be cured without too much fanfare. Again, if the cat's behavior has changed recently, have it checked by a veterinarian. If the cat has always been this way, it may be a feral, or not well socialized cat. In this case, you will have to be patient and take some extra effort at taming the cat.
If your cat is aggressive, try to become sensitive to its moods and body language. That way you won't try to touch him/her at the wrong time. Also, make sure your cat gets enough exercise. Take some time every day to play with him/her, but not too roughly (especially if aggression is the problem!). Playing has the dual purpose of giving your cat exercise and socializing him/her. Make sure your cat is spayed; this will, in general, make for a better pet and will curb aggression.
These are some rather basic tips regarding some common behavior problems. If you have a difficult problem, you will probably have to further educate yourself and invest some time into training your cat. What you should keep in mind is that almost all cats, with the right attention, can be made into great pets!
Author: Bob Evanston