Cat Training Tips And Tricks » basics

Dust Free Cat Litter – 3 Different Brands Reviewed

admin — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 05:28:55 +0000

Anyone who owns a cat knows that the little guys do their absolute best to keep themselves and their environment clean at all times. As cat owners, we can help out our pets by getting them a dust free cat litter. There are a few reasons for this. Cats tend to kick up quite a storm after finishing their business. If the kitty litter you use is a dusty one, chances are you’ll be breathing all sorts of allergens whenever you’re around the litter box. This, alone, is a good enough reason to switch kitty litters. Open any health magazine these days and you’ll see at least a couple articles about the importance of indoor air quality. Your cat will also appreciate a dust free clumping cat litter. Low quality litters tend to stick to your cat’s feet, annoying him or her to no end!

Now, with so many different kitty litters available, it’s tough to know which one right for your pet.

One of the best dust free cat litter products on the market is the Swheat Scoop Natural Wheat Litter. This stuff, as you’d expect, is actually made from wheat! It’s completely biodegradable and can even be flushed down the toilet. This isn’t the case with a typical clay based litter. This product is also completely dust free so your home will benefit here as well.

Another product you may want to consider is Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Ultra litter. This clumping cat litter is of the clay variety. Because of this, it can’t be flushed down the toilet. Some folks don’t mind throwing out their litter with the trash though. This is, after all, what cat owners had to do for years before the whole “green” movement started. I like the Dr. Elsey’s litter because the little chunks of litter aren’t that little at all. Because of this, the litter clumps very well and also ensures that the bottom of your cat’s box remains dry. Like the Swheat product discussed above, this litter is unscented and dust free.

Arm And Hammer also makes a dust free clumping cat litter. This product is, as one would expect, made out of baking soda. Baking soda is known for it’s odor killing properties and this is great for a cat litter. This product is scented and some people don’t like that. I’ve used this litter before and never really been bothered by the smell though. I guess some folks have more sensitive noses than others. Because this cat litter is made of baking soda, flushing it down the toilet isn’t recommended.

The best dust free cat litter really is dependent on what you’re looking for. Read a few reviews, check out a few websites and try some products. It won’t be long before you find something that works for you and your cat.

How To Keep A Cat Off The Counter

admin — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 05:24:51 +0000

Counter tops are not good places for cats. Although a lot of pet owners think that their kitties look super cute when they’re exploring various counter tops, it generally isn’t a good idea to let them do so. There are a few reasons for this. First off, counter tops can actually be fairly dangerous places for felines. Think about all the potential hazards that exist in your kitchen. Counter tops are often very close to the hot elements found on top of stoves. These elements can burn your cat’s paws, causing permanent damage. Knives are another thing that don’t agree with cat’s paws. Even if you keep your kitchen spotless, there are still invisible hazards like cleaning products and bleach. Cat’s tend to sniff and lick various surfaces just for the heck of it. The last thing you want to do is let your cat ingest some kind of a toxic substance.

In order to discourage our pets from climbing up on to the counter, we need to understand why they like doing so. This really isn’t that hard to figure out. First and foremost, there is the potential for food on counter tops! Naturally, any animal is going to want a little piece of cheese or sausage. It’s possible that your cat is just hungry for a little treat of some kind. Another thing most cats can’t resist is running water. These smart little guys are quick to pick up on the fact that sinks are basically just fresh water fountains. Cats also have a natural inclination to climb. This is why outside cats are constantly getting stuck up trees and on the roofs of houses. It’s not uncommon for indoor cats to actually make their way on to the top of a fridge either. Being on the counter also gives your pet the chance to look you, it’s loving owner, in the eye. I think kitties get sick of rubbing up against our legs all day long. The want some face time!

So how can we keep our cats off the counter? Well, the way I see it, this is really a two part method. First off, you have to discourage your cat from doing so. Secondly, you need to give him or her something else to climb!

How To Discourage Your Cat From Jumping On To The Counter

The best way to do this involves the use of some kind of a noise. Cats don’t like loud noises and you can use this to your advantage. A lot of people recommend using a tin can filled with coins. Others prefer to make the noise with their mouth. I find that a loud “PSSSSSSST!!” sound will usually do the trick. The type of noise that you use doesn’t really matter. What is important is the timing. You have to watch your cat carefully. When he looks like he’s about to pounce up on to the counter or table, make the noise. If you’ve timed it right, your cat will be startled and not jump. Continue with this routine. It won’t be long before your little buddy learns his lesson.

You could also try placing tape on to the counter top. This tape isn’t meant to hurt your cat. It merely annoys them – hopefully to the point that they leave the counter. The problem with this method is you end up with double sided tape all over your counter top! This isn’t really convenient if you plan on having people over…

How To Encourage Your Cat To Climb Something Else

Keeping a cat off the counter is about more than just discipline though. Your cat wants to climb and you shouldn’t discourage this behavior all together. It is, after all, in their blood. This is why it’s important that you give your pet something else to climb. The best way to do this is to offer your kitty a cat tree. These cat towers are great and most felines take to them quite quickly. In order to make sure your kitty prefers his new condo to the counter top, hide some treats at the top of the tower. You may even want to make your own cat tower!

Apply these basic strategies and it won’t be long before your counters are kitten free!

A Basic Overview Of Cat Training

admin — Thu, 07 May 2009 03:42:24 +0000

Cat training is becoming more and more popular all the time. As we’re all aware, training dogs has been a hobby of many pet enthusiasts for a long time now. The art of training cats, on the other hand, is a relatively new thing. For the longest time, most people felt that it was impossible to train a cat. Thanks to programs like Karen Pryor’s clicker training, though, we’re starting to see some real progress in this new hobby.

People are training their cats how to do all sorts of neat things now! The goal of this site is to provide a basic overview of things you can do with your cat. Most of the exercises fall under the “training” category but don’t let this turn you off. The goal of all these lessons is to help you enjoy your cat more. If he happens to learn something along the way… Great!

One thing that you can start with is leash training a cat. How cool would it be to take your cat for a walk like you would a dog? It’s possible! Read the article found in the sidebar of this site and give it a go. This isn’t an easy thing to do but remember. The main goal here is to enjoy time with your cat. Keep it light. Have fun. If your patient with this, it won’t be too long before your cat can walk on a leash.

Another thing a cat owner might want to consider is how to keep their kitty close to home. A lot of people worry about their pets. This is completely understandable if you think about it. Humans have very strong emotional attachments to cats and dogs. The thought of losing them is truly scary. It’s important that your cat knows how to find his way home before dark. Check out the appropriate article on this site for a few pointers.

One basic thing that all cats need to know how to do is use a litter box. Even if your cat spends most of his time outside, you never when it’s going to snow or something. Teaching a cat how to use his litter box is really quite simple. It’s almost as if they’re born ready for this. If you have any concerns about this, see the article on this subject.

Slightly related to this is another thing we talk about on this site. Wouldn’t it be nice if your cat knew how to use an actual toilet? It’s possible! Get yourself over to youtube and do a quick search for “cat toilet training” or something. This is truly incredible. I’ve written a basic overview of how to start this process. Patience is absolutely critical here. Unlike a litter box that feels very natural for cats, an actual toilet is something they won’t get used to quickly. The rewards are amazing if you can stick it out though. No more kitty litter!

Clicker training is another buzz word that’s getting a lot of talk these days. This practice actually started with horses many years ago. It evolved into a dog training method and is pretty much recognized as the only way to train dogs now. Well, a couple years back some “outside the box” type individuals started applying these same methods to cats. If you’re serious about training your cat how to do things on command, this article is a must read.

All in all, this site is about having fun with your pets. Have a look around and enjoy yourself. Cheers!

Is It Possible To Teach A Cat To Walk On A Leash?

admin — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 04:56:24 +0000

It is easy to keep your pet dogs healthy because you can take them out for a walk. Walking is their form of exercise. But what about cats? Is it possible to teach a cat to walk on a leash?

Most people will think that this idea is insane but it’s actually very doable. All you need is patience that can rival that of a saint. Why? Because training your cat to walk on a harness and leash takes a lot of time. You will have to slowly build your pet’s trust before you can actually take him to the park for leisurely strolls. It is impossible to just fashion him with the harness and leash and expect him to be agreeable with the whole thing.

When starting this training, you will notice that your cat will not like the idea of wearing, much less being pulled, with a harness. So the first thing that you need to do is to make him accustomed to wearing the harness. You can do this by letting him wear it for a while. Give him a few days of just being in the harness. It’s important that you don’t pull him until he’s comfortable just wearing the apparatus.

Next, attach the leash to the harness but let him drag it around. It is not yet time for you to hold the harness and guide him. Again, let him get used to the idea of wearing the harness with the leash. This will take a few more days. When this no longer bother him, try holding the leash. Walk around the room with your cat but do not pull or control the leash. You should not restrain him. After several more days on this step, try guiding your pet by pulling the leash gently. If he resists, stop. Give him time to follow your lead. In time, your cat will no longer object to walking on a harness and a leash.

It is a great feeling to be able to walk with your cat but the training is hard work. Whenever your pet acts in a way that is favorable to the training, do not forget to give him treats and lots of praises. A training session full of love will make everything easier.

How Should I Train My Kitten To Use A Litter Box?

admin — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 03:43:23 +0000

If your new kitten won’t use a litter box, read on!

Cats are naturally clean animals. When they see or smell something that they don’t like, cats will instinctively try to mask the scent by scooping dirt on top of it. They will do this even if they are standing on wooden or concrete floor inside your house. Ouch!!

This is why training a kitten to use a litter box is pretty straightforward.

If you have an older cat in your house that already knows how to use the litter box, training your new kitten becomes even easier. This is because kittens will naturally mimic an older cat’s behavior. However, if you have no older cat to teach your young kitten – do not despair. There are numerous easy things you can do to litter box train your kitten.

First, you have to familiarize your kitten with the litter box and its purpose. You can do this by immediately taking him to the litter box after he eats. You may need to do this quite a few times for several days but he will eventually figure out what the litter box is for. If you have a hard time getting your pet to approach or stay in the litter box, you have to find ways to lure him. You can do this by placing catnip around the litter box. If he likes the smell of catnip, he will feel that it is okay for him do this business in the litter box. Another thing that you can do is play mama cat… Give this a go. Put your kitten inside the litter box and scratch his paws in the litter for him. This is an effective method and quite a bit of fun too! It won’t be long before your kitten is doing his business in the litter box.

Whatever method you choose to use, make sure that the litter box stays clean. If you leave it soiled, your kitten will not like the idea of using it. Remember: Cat’s are naturally clean animals and want no part of a stinky litter box!

Good Luck!