Some people have the opinion that cats do not need to be taught to be handled, since they themselves are ready to sit on their owners’ laps for hours. But it is not always the case. Many owners dream of having this purring miracle sitting in their arms, because they so want to stroke and cuddle the kitten, and everyone knows that our pets are a good antidepressant.
They, with their characteristic arrogance, allow themselves to be fed, cared for, but as for their hands... Moreover, this applies not only to an adult taken home, but also to a cat raised with their own hands, groomed from a tiny kitten. In our article we will try to explain in detail what causes this cat behavior and how to accustom a cat to handling.
How to tame a wild kitten
Future owners are worried: how to tame a kitten, what if the situation gets out of control and an unaffectionate cat will grow out of a cute creature. The baby quickly gets used to it and begins to understand:
- Where is the toilet.
- Where is the bowl of food?
- Who lives in the family, from whom you need to hide.
To tame a cat you will have to wait ten days (maximum). Usually this much time is spent on re-educating a street dweller.
It’s worth learning from the very beginning: a kitten’s squeak means “I feel bad,” while purring is a sign of goodwill and contentment.
There is no need to push a squeaking lump into a bathtub of water or allow children to cause pain. The kitten should feel safe and loved. It’s easy to accustom a kitten to handling and rules of behavior (both in the house and at an exhibition): affection, play and treats will do.
Once the baby is in the house, you need to give him time to calm down. You can leave him in an unlocked cage or put him in a low cat basket. Don't forget to place a bowl of water nearby.
In a calm environment, the kitten will soon crawl out of its shelter and go to inspect the territory of the house. Don't pick him up just yet. It is enough to gently stroke him and say a few words in a calm tone. Then transfer to a bowl and praise. In this case, the kitten in your hands will not perceive the action as danger.
Within 24 hours, the cat will begin to trust its owner and may jump onto its lap. The kitten will learn to sit quietly in your arms if you support it by its back. The warmth of the hand is soothing, and any possible fear of heights disappears.
The cat interferes with sleep at night - what to do?
So, having dealt with the popular reasons for cat nocturnal rampages, we move on to our original question: how to make a cat sleep at night? The answer to this question, in fact, is obvious - everything that the cat wants to get from you at night must be given to it during the day (well, or in the evening, in the end), and in excess.
Caress and play
Therefore, when you come home from work, pet the cat, let him sit on your shoulder or next to you on the table while you cook, and watch any of your actions.
Talk to him constantly. You can use this time to brush your cat. Be sure to play - at least chase the cat with a simple laser pointer.
Keep your cat busy with a toy
If you own a tablet, you should try cat video games. Yes, there are some. Either a mouse or some kind of spider bug is crawling across the tablet screen, which the cat is trying to catch. As soon as the cat's paw hits the object exactly, it disappears and the level is completed. At the next level, for example, there will be two spiders crawling around. And don’t laugh, many cats really like it.
Provide your cat with a tree of different heights, or a set of beds, secluded places and scratching posts. Perhaps your cat’s interest will be aroused by the hanging “mice” and “birds”, which often hang from these complexes on long elastic bands. The author’s cat, however, did not appreciate such a mouse, but the dog enjoyed pulling it back and shooting it like a slingshot.
Look for toys of this type in the pet store: you put a little dry food or treats inside, but in order for the food to spill out, the cat will have to roll and toss the toy for a while.
A cat may also like a toy with a hole for its paw and small objects inside that cannot be pulled out. Everything that moves on its own, is programmed by a timer, beeps and flashes colored lights, everything that is difficult to break and catch can be useful to you.
These include hanging toys, toys with springs, and stand-up toys. The cat should have many different toys, and they should be changed from time to time so that the cat does not lose interest in them. The most important thing is to check that they are safe for your pet.
Think about a playmate
It’s not bad if children play with the cat properly during the day - after getting mad, they will all sleep much better later. Or, if this is acceptable for your animal, get him a companion. Then they will entertain each other throughout the day, and they will have no time to sleep.
It is advisable that by the time you go to bed, the cat is very tired from playing and communicating with you, then you have a chance that he will not bother you at night. But if this still doesn’t happen, then just leave him a few “quiet”, non-clattering toys - and let him have fun to his health.
If you don't want your cat to come into your bedroom, then the only option is to never let him in. Then this territory will be foreign on his map, and the inability to patrol the room at night will not cause a loud and indignant protest.
How to accustom a cat to hands and affection
If you want cat affection, become patient and affectionate yourself. An outdoor cat will begin to trust a person when it gets used to his smell and voice. He will associate his appearance with a pleasant event (food, affection).
A wild cat is tamed in the same way as a kitten. First, treats are brought regularly. Then they hold out their palm with a piece of the most delicious thing (the delicacy lies in the center of the palm, not on the fingers!), and allow it to be sniffed. When the cat begins to approach, perhaps rubs its head on its leg, you can pet it in response, speaking calmly and affectionately.
A common mistake: in order to tame a cat at home, he is immediately locked in a room - the animal will try to escape as soon as it is freed.
You can call the cat with you, after a few meters, stop, praise, and give a treat again. The main thing is that if you come, give her the opportunity to leave. Without feeling afraid, the pet will return.
Relationship
If you just start out of the blue and demand something from the cat, then naturally he will perceive it as pressure from the outside. And even more so if this is done by a person not close to his heart. In addition, there are differences in the training methods of cats and dogs, so do not confuse them.
Communicate with your animal regularly
Even if you are hanging out in everyday life, always pay attention to the kitten, whether it is nearby and what it is doing. Talk to him, praise him, stroke him gently, pick him up
If the kitten was alone at home, then when you arrive, you need to pay attention to it. All this will help you get closer to your pet.
Protect him
Try to become a support and a wall for the cat. She will know that when she is stressed, she will be able to find protection in you anyway. This can be done with words and hands. If she is scared of something, then calm her down like a child, stroke her and hold her close.
Comfortable conditions
Every animal needs this. Therefore, do not disturb the cat often, and explain this to the children. They must also understand that he needs rest and peace. Let your pet have a clear schedule for eating and sleeping.
Focus
First, clearly formulate in your head what you want from the cat and how you will achieve it. Only then take action. After all, the animal must also clearly understand what they want from it. Also, do not change the training scheme, otherwise you will lead the kitten astray, and he will not want to do what you require.
Therefore, set precise rules first of all for yourself, for example, if you are not in the mood, still react equally to the cat’s different behavior. Even if you decide that words cannot reach your baby, scold him every time he does something wrong.
It is constant, uniform, targeted control that can help the kitten understand what they want from him. Therefore, do not leave your cat unpunished today if you punished her for it yesterday.
Stop aggression!
Under no circumstances should you unnecessarily punish a male. They are very fragile creatures, so not only can you harm him, but in addition to this, he will not want to comply with your demands. Do not punish the kitten by starving it, locking it in a dark room, or hitting it on the head or nose.
Persuasiveness
If you have a good relationship with the animal, then it will respond to your voice. Therefore, in this case, you will only need persuasion, not shouting. He should listen to your kind and gentle voice.
Head of the family
Even if the kitten sleeps with you, plays, and you allow him to play light pranks, this does not mean that he is the head of the family. The animal must clearly understand who is the owner.
No one has canceled friendly relations, but there must be a fine line between you, which will determine that you are his master and he must obey you, and not vice versa.
Confidence
Even if the owner spends hours persuading the cat, beating it or forcing it to do something, without self-confidence, it is unlikely that he will succeed. Remember that animals have good instincts and senses.
Therefore, they can immediately see through you and will not want to obey a weak master. You are the leader of the entire process, so the kitten should see confidence in you. Only such a master will he recognize the authority and want to obey him.
Why is the cat not affectionate?
If a cat scratches and bites as an adult, the owners themselves are to blame. While still playing with her, they allowed her to “claw” in excitement. At first it's funny, then the adult:
- bites legs;
- does not allow himself to be combed;
- spoils things, marks territory.
The simplest veterinary examination and medical procedures (injections, enemas) turn into a nightmare for the owner.
The independence and aggressiveness of a mustachioed cohabitant should not be shown towards family members. If the owners are afraid, the pet will become impudent. It is recommended to hold the cat in your arms more often and show affection. After taming, release it for further exploration of the area, praise and treat it with something tasty for good behavior.
Gradually the cat will understand: nothing bad is happening. If you do this regularly, at the same time talk affectionately, give a piece of “yummy” - after a while you can add short-term combing, examining the ears and other manipulations.
An irrepressible desire to “cuddle” can also be the reason why a cat becomes less affectionate. Small children will happily play with the kitty and pull its ear or tail.
Adults sometimes don’t lag behind (especially if the cat is not their property): they shamelessly shove pieces from the table, try to stroke them and pick them up against their will. It's not the cat that needs to be blamed, but the owner:
- If the cat is not the highlight of the program, it is better to isolate it in another room. Or warn the guest about correct behavior.
- For children, it is better to find other fun, otherwise the simplest scratch on the hand of an uncontrollable child will ruin the evening.
- When neither the person nor the cat is particularly anxious, let them interact as they wish.
Advice. It is advisable to wash your hands not only after interacting with an animal, but also before. Precautionary measures apply to small unvaccinated kittens.
The selection of some breeds followed the path of consolidating external characteristics. Such cats are more attached to the territory than to the owner. For example, bobtails and Norwegian forest cats do not recognize excessive affection.
It is better to choose a Burmese, Siamese, Sphynx or Rex or an ordinary yard cat - a “mongrel”. “Human-dependent” cats can hardly tolerate loneliness, they are easy to tame and they love the affection of their owner.
What do experts recommend?
You need to gradually accustom your cat to human contact. It is very important that your pet feels comfortable and safe. To prevent the kitten from being scared of you, it is important to speak to it in a monotonous and soothing tone. Take a closer look at the following tips if you are faced with the need to accustom your cat to affection:
- Start with normal touching. Approach your cat several times a day and scratch it. At first she may get scared or run away. Usually, untrained animals simply show dissatisfaction. Short strokes with the spoken phrase “good boy” and other pleasant words can smooth out such a situation;
- Use a treat. Every pet has food that it is very partial to. At first, you can sit on a chair, taking a treat with you. Call your pet over to give him some food. Wait until he jumps into your arms. This method is good when the cat is already accustomed to your stroking;
- When a kitten has a favorite toy, you can try to interest him in such entertainment. You can use a soft ball, bows, and items purchased from a pet store. It is important that the item used does not damage the animal’s teeth and oral cavity;
- Teach your pet to eat from your hands. Right away you can simply give small pieces of food, and then feed and pet the animal at the same time.
The most popular methods for teaching a cat to be handled are listed above. Of course, it is necessary to take into account the individuality and uniqueness of each pet. Representatives of the cat family love to be taken care of. To reach this level of relationship with your pet, sometimes you need to try and be patient. But it also happens that a cat shows a friendly attitude towards some people, but is wary of others. In this case, we recommend that you resort to the same methods and give the kitten the opportunity to gradually get used to your loved ones. It is much more difficult to train an adult animal, since it has already formed certain patterns of behavior. In order to change your pet's habits, you need to develop a special approach to it.
Is it possible to tame an adult cat to a new owner?
A cat tolerates a change of owner more easily than a dog. The exception is socially oriented breeds, for example, Oriental Siamese. They will gradually become affectionate with their new owners, but the first one is the only one for life.
The best way to train, even for a sexually mature individual, is not food, but play. First, an adult cat must get used to the territory. It is better to leave your pet to explore its new home on its own, and after a while offer some food from your hands. Just like a treat. At the same time, do not forget to talk measuredly, but not to stroke.
As soon as the cat gets used to it a little, you can:
- lightly scratch a chair or furniture - so that the cat reacts to the sound near the owner;
- roll a ball or ball of wool near you, inviting you to play;
- “drive” a candy wrapper.
The cat quickly joins the game. After a while, you should again give a piece of food from your hand and praise it.
Features of training purebred cats
To tame a purebred cat, you need to gain its trust. To this end, you need to create a clear daily routine: hours of feeding, games, rest. Consistency will help the pet get used to the person.
Experts recommend taming a purebred kitten by sleeping together. You can replace sleep by relaxing on the couch
It is important to try to establish physical contact between the animal and the owner. With active cats, this can be achieved through play.
The way to tame a Bengal cat is to play active games with it three times a day. During the game, a person should praise his pet and treat him with treats.
To establish interpersonal contact with an animal, you can teach it to walk outside on a leash. In an unfamiliar place, the pet's behavior will be aimed at obtaining protection from the owner. Getting used to street walks, the animal will understand that its owner is a source of security. This way, a purebred cat will develop trust in a person.
Games are as important as food
Loss of interest not only in you, but also in everything around you is a consequence of the fact that the cat is bored from idleness and rarely moves. Of course, she will try to have fun on her own, but sooner or later she will get bored with it.
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Remember that cats are, first and foremost, predators who need to release their accumulated energy somewhere. Dogs, for example, are walked twice every day. What should cats do? Perhaps because of their passive lifestyle, fluffies often choose active games rather than extraordinary feeding.
Buy a rubber ball, ball or laser. If you have forgotten the last time you entertained your cat, play briefly but often for the first 2-3 weeks. A cat that has lost its tone will lie down on the floor in a few minutes and will only carefully watch as you throw the ball and go after it yourself. Once you have practiced a little, you can increase the duration of the sessions. You will soon notice how your cat will be perceived not only as a feeding hand, but also as a loyal friend with whom you can play happily.
Let the cat make the first move
It's hard to resist the temptation to pet a cat. This little furball seems to make you want to reach out and start scratching its fur. However, scientists say that it is best to let the cat take the initiative first.
Research shows that when you are focusing on some other activity (for example, reading a book or playing on the computer), the cat fundamentally wants to attract your attention. She is wondering what you are doing there and why you are not paying attention to her. In this, cats are very similar to girls: if you pay too much attention, they often become uninterested in you. But if you ignore them occasionally, your contact will be more productive.
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It’s the same with a cat: let her decide for herself when to start contact and when to end it. Do this trick with your cat for a few weeks and you will see her love increase.
Causes of aggression in cats
When getting a cat, many people think that when they come home, their beloved pet immediately runs and sits in the arms of its owner. He begins to purr affectionately and waits to be petted. But sometimes there are cases when an animal simply hates it when people start playing with it. Cats become very aggressive and uncontrollable. The reason for this behavior may be the smell of the owner, as well as the poor health of the pet. They may not be able to be handled and begin to bite and scratch heavily.
Cats are independent and freedom-loving animals by nature, who adore affection, and spend time with their owner with great pleasure. But sometimes a pet can be in an aggressive state, they begin to bite hard, and can show their claws. The reason for this behavior may be the poor health of the animal itself. Sometimes the kitten is still small, it is difficult for him to sit in one place, he wants to run around the house, and when you start to forbid him to do something, to pick him up, this leads to strong aggression.
Relationship between cats and your guests
In fact, it is impossible to guess how a cat will behave, which, in addition to you, also communicates with your friends. Some kittens who were cuddled with other people as children are more socialized as adults. They are not afraid of new people, often not paying attention to you when there are guests in the house.
On the other hand, isolating a kitten from strangers can develop a variety of fears in adulthood, forcing the animal to hide during the visit of uninvited guests. But these same nightmares will force her to treat you even more carefully when the possible danger is over. So think about what you want: to raise a brave or loving cat.
Each cat is individual
You should not think that if you take home a British dog, then you need to treat him meticulously and painstakingly, and a simple mongrel needs to be given more space and time on the street. Each cat is individual and what one likes will irritate another. There is no need to lump everyone with the same brush.
Advice: before choosing a cat, think about why you are getting it. If you just want it to be, then take a calm animal. If for active games, take an energetic one.
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