How do i discipline my cat?

Question

i know it is very hard to discipline a cat but my cat just keep scratching and biting me and it's hurting. at first it was all good fun becaus e he never scratched or bit be that hard but now it's really hurting. i was trying to make him stop so i yelled at him and then he jumped at my face.....ithat was the straw that broke the camels back!!! i need to discipline him somehow.

Answer 1

You don't say how old your cat is and whether or not he is allowed outside. I'm guessing that he's still a young cat and is getting aggressive when you play with him. Do you use your hands instead of toys to play with him? Do you have mock fights with him? Cat enjoy games where they can practice their hunting skills, ambush behaviour, leg-hugging and pouncing form part of those games . Cats have two reactions to fear - fight or flight. Your cat was scared when you yelled at him and he simply chose the option to fight.

Toys that dangle off the end of a wand stick are ideal for this as you can either drag them along the floor for your cat to chase or hold them up high so that he has to leap up to catch the toy. He can get as rough as he likes with the toys, whilst your hands are safely out of harms reach. I agree with others who suggested that if he bites or scratches you during play time, gently scruff the back of his neck and tell him "no". If he doesn't back of immediately, move him aside, stop playing and walk away. He will quickly learn that rough behaviour is not acceptable. After a while, you will only need to say "no" to get him to stop.

The web articles below will give you further advice on how to handle play and other types of aggression.

http://www.sniksnak.com/cathealth/aggression2.html
http://www.sniksnak.com/cathealth/aggression.html

In my experience, cats always respond best to positive reinforcement - food rewards and praise for good behaviour. Cats are clever, they soon learn to adopt behaviour that benefits them in some way. Never be tempted to resort to physical punishment. The only thing it will teach your cat is to fear and resent you. I've never used the water bottle training method for the reasons mentioned in the web article below.

http://www.littlebigcat.com/index.php?action=library&act=show&item=squirtbottlespunishmentandcatbehavior1

Be kind and patient with him, he's bound to make a few mistakes while you are teaching him to have good manners.

Answer 2

You can't discipline a cat. They have no concept of right or wrong and don't understand why they are being punished. What you can do is make the situation uncomfortable for them and that will persuade them not to do it. There was a time when I would yell at my cats and chase them around the house. They hate that. But I have gotten lazy in my old age; now I set the dog on the cats when they misbehave. The cats get a lesson, the dog thinks it's a big game and my knees don't hurt. Everybody benefits. And in the end the four of us lay on the couch and have a nap. It's a good life.

Answer 3

1. It is your fault that you didn't make clear what is acceptable from the beginning. Don't blame the cat, you thought it was fun at first so he got to learn that you liked to play like this.
2. It is not too late, but yelling, beating, making sharp movements against him etc. only make the game more exciting to him and make him nmore ferocious. So don't do any of these.
3. Try to make him realise he will not play like this. When he does it, withdraw your hands, ignore him, if he insists put him on the floor WITH ANOTHER TOY (he needs an alternative) or in another room.
4. Keep this behaviour up conistently. every time he bites or plays rough make a sound like you are hurt and grab him from the neck like his mum, say NO, and put him elsewhere.It will need some time but you need patience.

Answer 4

While it will take some effort on your part, the squirt bottle with water is the best. Never hit a cat with your hands. It confuses them. You can't discipline with what you use to love them and pet them with. Might try a fly swatter? The water bottle thing is the best.

Answer 5

Try a squirt bottle or pick them up by the back of their neck (but don't grab the collar) and say No firmly. This doesn't hurt the cat because that is how their mother carries them.

Answer 6

Yes, cats hate water, so a squirt in the face from a water gun or spray bottle will definitely let it know you are unhappy with it, while not hurting it.

I sometimes give my cats a firm smack on the rump when I catch them doing stuff they're not supposed to (walking on kitchen counters, etc). Just keep in mind how much bigger you are than them, and ajust the strength of your "spanking" accordingly.

Answer 7

I don't care what anyone says, but a little smack on his behind will work, accompanied by a loud 'UUHHHH!' Obviously, don't smack so hard that you hurt, it just needs to be short and sharp to startle them. I trained my cat from a kitten, everytime he bit or scratched he would get a smack and I would always accompany it with a loud 'UHHHHHH!' Now when he does something naughty all I have to say is 'UHHHH' and he stops, I haven't had to smack him for years.

Answer 8

Use a spray bottle filled with water. Works with my cats and my dogs.

Answer 9

have a squirt bottle near by so everytime your cat bites or scratches you.... just squirt a little water at him.

Answer 10

The squirt bottle thing is a lot harder to do than it sounds. It's hard to carry a squirt bottle everywhere you go.