We live in a small apt. so we often eat at the coffee table. Our younger cat always tries to get into our food. It's really annoying! We shoo her off, but she always comes back. Aside from locking her up all the time, how can we train her to stay away from human food?
2006-08-15 14:35:14 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
squirt bottle of water
2006-08-15 14:40:09 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
One solution before you eat is to have ready a small handful of some healthy kitty treats (not her main meal food) and feed her on the floor while you're eating. First offer one treat as soon as you begin to eat. As soon as she finishes and tries to jump near your food quietly put her down and offer her another treat. Eventually, you will be able to train her to sit patiently waiting a little while longer for each single treat. This will take a couple months before she learns where her place needs to be while you're eating, but she can be trained to learn this new behaviour.
Additionally, for general discipline statistically evidence has shown that squirting a cat doesn't work well. Some cats find this to be a game and will only return for more. Others who don't like this will only think it's you rather than the water squirting that is being unkind.
I've included a website that explains how the squirt bottle method actually works and why it isn't the best solution for training a cat.
2006-08-15 21:56:59 · answer #2 · answered by ♪ Seattle ♫ 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I have to agree with several others who have already suggested the "sure fire" method that we used for our 2 cats. A water gun or water mister (like you use for plants) is the way we trained our kitties to stay off the counters. When they are kittens, you are able to train them much easier than when they are adult cats.
We used to keep several water sprayers around the house. One was in the kitchen for those times when the cats tried to jump on the counters, or on the kitchen table.
After being sprayed with the water enough times...they eventually learned NOT to get on the counters...or the table.
Also, we only feed them dry cat food, except perhaps every 2 weeks...where they get a special treat. We say to them..."would you like some YUMMY?" They run to their food area meowing so loudly...just for that special treat of canned food. NEVER feed them table scraps, or they will expect them all the time.
GOOD LUCK!
2006-08-15 21:57:28 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get a spray bottle and put some water in it. Keep it on the coffee table. Anytime the kitten gets too near the food spray her in the face. It doesn't hurt, but they sure don't like it. They learn real quick to stay away.
2006-08-15 21:41:37 · answer #4 · answered by Skylark 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A squirt bottle with water is a godsend when trying to train your cat (keeps them off of the counters....shoos them away from food) Don't go crazy......just a few squirts. My cat got to the point where all I had t do was sit the bottle on the table, and he backed off. lol
2006-08-15 21:41:50 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Put the cats' food down right before you have your dinner. Cats should have two meals a day. Food should not be left for them between meals.
Especially if you feed dry food. Cats need to time complete the digestion before they eat again.
2006-08-15 21:46:07 · answer #6 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The spray bottle is a good answer, but I would also recommend that you only give her human food or scraps in her bowl after you are done eating. Or not giving her any human food at all.
2006-08-15 21:46:28 · answer #7 · answered by T.Bell 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think that u should take ur cat and train it by ur self or pay somebody to train ur cat fur u but that is the best way to keep him/her from human food good luck.
2006-08-15 21:42:03 · answer #8 · answered by nelly 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I agree - get a squirt bottle and squirt them every time they go near the table - totally worked for me!
2006-08-15 21:41:06 · answer #9 · answered by Starlight 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
keep the food out of her way...the cat is a natural hunter when she smells something she wants she will hunt for it. if it is out of her reach she can't get to it.
2006-08-15 21:54:36 · answer #10 · answered by svu_telly 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
try to...
A. stop eating at your coffee table ( for now) and see how things go
B. shoo her off with special deli cuts cats treats- one of the best kinds of cat treats in stores
C.- get a mister bottle and lightly spray her away with it.
2006-08-15 21:41:36 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋