Q: Can you train cats?
A: Yes, training a cat is not as tough as most cat owners imagine it is. Kitties probably are not as amenable to training as dogs are but they can be trained. Tasty rewards given as positive reinforcement is probably the primary method to train your cat.
Q: Why and how do cats purr?
A: Adult kitties purr because they are happy and contented and to play on the emotions of humans — Can you resist a purring kitty? Kittens purr in answer to their mother cat’s purr to assist in bonding them. It is usually believed that the purring is a vibration of the voicebox as air is pushed though it. It is also believed that purring is a voluntary action.
Q: Why are the reasons a number of individuals are allergic to cats?
A: Cat allergies are caused by the proteins in cat dander originating from the cat’s saliva. The dander dries and becomes airborne. People with cat allergies develop a reaction because their immune system is trying to fight the alien protein and creates histamines.
Q: How do you halt naughty cat behavior like biting?
A: The best way to stop unwanted cat behavior is the same way the mother cat controls an errant kitten. This is by scuffing the cat. You firmly but gently grasp the cat by the scruff of the neck and hold it down until it calms down. You should do this at the time of the unwanted behavior.
Q: How do you litter train a cat?
A: You really shouldn’t have to do any training for a cat to use a litter pan, but if your adult cat has started to avoid the litter box you need to determine the cause. The cat may have a urinary tract infection in which case you need to go to the vet. If it is just too dirty you need to keep it cleaner. If you have switched to litter you may have to change back or sprinkle a little catnip in the litter to attract the cat to the new litter.
Q: How do you keep cats off the kitchen counter?
A: This is the most asked about cat behavior issues and can be a challenging one. Cats like high platforms and they may find food or food aromas on tables and counters. It is best to keep the surfaces clean and to use something like foil or double sided tape to keep cats off the counters.