how to disapline cats?

Question

whats an effective way to disapline a cat and whats the right way to disapine a cat me and a neighboor are argreing about bad cats

Answer 1

well, depends on what you are disciplining them for...
generally speaking, you should never hit, spank, raise your voice, or give a cat any other sort of angry punishment because that will only form a resistance to you
for example: a cat has a bowel movement on the couch or floor instead of the litter box, you don't want to rub their nose in it because they don't understand that what you're saying is "this is the wrong place" they think you are saying "don't ever make a bowel movement" obviously they can't stop making bowel movements so they in turn continue to make bowel movements out of the litter box and continue to develop a resentment to the person they feel punished them for making a bowel movement
Some people spray their cats with water (or water mixed with vinegar, which is safer than ammonia) to deter them from certain behaviors
as for me, I prefer to train all of my pets using positive reinforcement, in other words I ignore attention seeking behaviors (like when they bite I leave the room, they learn that biting means they don't get a playmate and they soon learn to play nice) and I redirect unwanted behaviors (so when my cat scratches my chair, I pick him up and move him to the scratching post, once he scratches his post I praise him and he soon learns that the post is the right place to scratch)
my cat is well trained (can come, sit, jump, heal, and roll-over all on command) however it took time and patience and alot of research into the proper way to train a cat in order for him to become this well behaved

Answer 2

Cat owners should understand and accept that certain behaviours such as scratching and climbing, are instinctual and perfectly natural. Any attempts to deny the cat an outlet for natural behaviour will only frustrate them. This is why acceptable alternatives like scratch posts and cat trees should be provided and the cat's behaviour should be re-directed towards those items.

Kittens and young cats don't always realise how rough they are being during play time. They don't mean to harm, but sometimes they bite or scratch when they get over-excited. For me, the best training method I have found is to try to emulate the way the mother cat disciplines them. When they get too rough, gently scruff the skin at the back of their neck and tell them "no" in a firm voice or hiss at them. Usually this is enough to make them stop whatever it is they are doing. If they don't stop biting/scratching straight away, I simply tell them "no" again, move them aside and walk away. Hissing is particularly effective at getting cats to stop whatever it is they're doing, because it reawakens memories of the mother cat's discipline.

Remember that cats generally communicate with each other through scent and body language. Vocalisation is reserved for humans, because we don't understand their language. I try to teach my cats a few basic commands such as "no", "out", "down" etc., so that they understand what I'm asking of them.

Nobody likes being told "no" all the time, so it's important to remember to reward them with food treats or affection for good behaviour. Cats are very clever animals and are much more inclined to adopt behaviour that brings rewards.

I know a lot of people spray water at their cats to discipline them, but personally I never have. It's reliant upon the owner being there 24/7 to monitor the cat's behaviour, and dependent upon the vigour with which the owner uses it, can have a negative effect on their relationship with the cat. The web article below explains more about this subject.

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

Physical punishment or yelling are not only ineffective, but they will also make a cat fear and resent you. Think of it from their point of view. Would you rather do something because someone asked you nicely, or because they threatened you?

Patience and kindness are the best ways to train a cat, and have a rewarding relationship with them.

Answer 3

I can't really give u a answer.Nothing works on all cats the same.I have had to use a sprayer(with water) no I'm not mean.Plus it only works on 2 cats and they were small.Now grown.My mom used to use a coffee can and put a few pennies in it and close the top.Rattle it at tar baby when she misbehaved.It worked great,till u turned ur back on her.Then all Hadies broke out with Ur legs or the back of Ur head.Crating does not work on my cats.Basically they own me,and when They want something,,They do it.I am owned by many a fur kid.And cats do as they want till they are ready to stop.I hear hubby state a million times A day that I need to remove my cat(his cat too) from the top of his stupid 62 inch TV..I I really loudly yell,Who's on top of the TV and usually they scatter,except for his cat who seems to think if she gets real low and stays still I cant see her.LOL as far as Ur neighbours cats go,Id leave it up to them,unless they were bothering my property,Then Id ask politely for them to do something.And if not,Ur next question should be how to punish my neighbour.LOL,,Water does bother them.(no super soakers) just a spray bottle will do.

Answer 4

You can discipline cats to do most things when they are young enough, before three months.
Unlike dogs and people they dont respond to well to a heavy hand or fear so raising your voice too much or smacking them and chucking stuff wont work.
I have three cats all were disciplined before three months, here is what they dont do.
Walk on work tops, beg for food, sleep on the furniture, go upstairs, sniff at plates that are left out, scratch the furniture, wee or poo anywhere they should not.
And what they do do.
Have a bowl of toys next to the fire place, first thing in the morning they paw at the bowl asking to play, so I give em 10 mins. Then they get fed, go out all day. Look out for each other and hunt in a pack when catching small creatures, ( I'm not saying this is good but it is teamwork!).
I even have one that goes to bed at 8pm on the dot and I am sometimes up before her.
They sleep in their own beds in the kitchen, unless there are fireworks when they all sleep on top of each other for comfort.

They are not all the same age but had the same discipline, the two older ones wouldnt even sniff at freshly cooked meat, because they have never had human food. The younger one sniffs but walks away, looking a bit sheepish, but knows she wont get any so doesnt even bother.

What I did was as kittens if they wanted to do something naughty or that I did not want them doing I would not say a word, just pick them up and put them where I wanted them, usually on the floor by the toy bowl. I would feed them mouse sized portions of food just before we ate so they were satisfied and didnt look for food from us. I left plates on the floor to test them if they sniffed they got moved away etc, It does not take long for the penny to drop. Provided it is young enough.
They learn from each other too so if one obeys the rules the others tend to follow.

When they are older it is harder, but still not impossible, but you have to keep your cool with them whilst staying top cat in their eyes.

They need human interaction, it is no good having a cat you only feed (irregularly) who you only see in passing and your only communication is to tell it off or to show it you are displeased with it.
How many people could you live with happily if that was the only way you interacted? Yes I know they are not humans but using human experiance still applies.

Answer 5

If it's your cat, clear disapproval might be effective. With one of my cats I would point at her and bark "No". As she learned it, I could point to her or even just look at her and she'd scamper off the kitchen table (the misbehavior). Doesn't work on my other cat, who's OK with negative attention. Won't work on a stray who's not interested in your opinion.

For a more blunt approach, a squirt gun is effective. A small squirty one, not a super soaker. Be clear and consistent and don't overdo it.

edit: And DON'T do what Zeb said. Ammonia could get in the cat's eye. And of course it would get on the fur; cats lick their fur frequently.

Answer 6

Spray bottle crammed with water. Squirt it with water once you tell her no, and do it for in straightforward terms one unfavourable habit at a time, which includes scratching furniture till it learns to no longer do this. I used it for whilst my cat does not come decrease back in the apartment when I stated as her, humorous to work out her commence working in direction of the door whilst she heard the spray bottle.

Answer 7

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Answer 8

You should use a spray bottle full of water and whenever they miss behave spray some water on them. This way you are not abusive and they still get the point to not do that again.

Answer 9

If it isn't your cat, leave the dicipline to the owner. File a complaint if your so riled up about it.

If it is your cat, spray it with a squirt gun when it's misbehaving.

And I happen to know that YA has a spellcheck. You should use it...

Answer 10

you don't need to shout at a cat that would just make them frightened of you and would never come near you i just said the word no to mine if she was doing something she shouldn't and it stuck she stops what she's doing and moves away to see what else she can get into.