How to educate my cat?

Dog and cat, two completely different characters to such an extent that even popular expressions have taken hold of these oppositions. From this, two ways of living with your pet are derived: the cat is appreciated for its cuddly side and for its independence while the dog will be more appreciated for its “companion” side. The dog is more expansive and its dependence on humans probably makes it more appreciated because it is easier to manage. It’s all a question of character.

Your cat will not always be by your side, even if some breeds are more homebody than adventurer! That said, your home will also be your cat’s home, and to live in harmony, humans and animals will have to respect a minimum of rules.
With the description of such a character, we have the right to wonder if a cat can obey: should we talk about training or simply education?

Teaching your cat to be clean

If you don’t have a garden, you have to teach your cat to go to the litter box. Usually, it’s his mother who teaches him this behavior at a young age. If this is not the case, lock him regularly in the room where his litter box is located and show him that this is the place for his needs. Gradually your cat will understand that this accessory is there for his comfort.
If you ever catch or discover that your cat has left feces elsewhere, you can raise your voice and explain to him that he must do it in his litter box. Pick up the droppings, place them in the litter box and show her where she should go.

Your cat needs to respond to his name being called

It is the repetition of his name and the assimilation of the sound it represents with something pleasant (a meal, a treat…) that will lead your cat to respond. Be careful, however, that his name is not systematically linked to a reward in the form of food. It can also be a simple caress.
More generally, your cat must get used to responding to the sound of your voice, whether it’s when you call him or say a short “command”.

Your cat and his environment

When talking about your cat’s entourage, it is important to mention the subject of children. For the latter, the little ball of soft hair can become very aggressive by simple defensive reflex. The cat is an independent animal and, when it considers to be disturbed in its occupations or its rest, it will express itself by wagging its tail and by giving paws. In front of such behavior an adult will leave him alone, but young children will not see it as anger. Education must be done for both parties: make the cat understand that it is a game, but especially make the child understand that a wagging tail is not to catch. Also, you will never have a guarantee of your cat’s behavior, so it is important to never leave a small child alone with a cat.

Your cat and play

Cats are playful, but this can be to the detriment of your home’s decor. Keeping an eye on your cat can help prevent him from getting into trouble: again, a louder tone of voice and a light tap will let him know that what he’s done will get him into trouble rather than petting.

Also, to prevent your cat from taking out his aggression on your sofas, curtains and sometimes even your green plants, provide him with toys. Who hasn’t seen with amusement a cat running after a ball by pawing it: the interest is that your cat’s claws will be able to cling to it without hurting it and also participate in developing its hunting instinct by catching an object. Don’t blame him for this instinct, you will never educate him on this subject.

Be aware that your cat will always be independent at heart. By training your cat, you will have made a compromise so that he will be comfortable in the environment you offer him and that you will be able to spend good times together. It is this common acceptance of “limits” that will allow your cat to find comfort in living with you.

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