How to tame an outdoor cat

When assessing the difficulty of taming a kitten, they take into account what kind of baby is in front of the person: born to a wild cat, that is, absolutely not socialized, or domesticated, but a street cat that has experience communicating with people. Naturally, in the second case, you will need to put in much less effort to raise your pet. What should you do to win over and tame a kitten?

How to tame a wild kitten

Future owners are worried: how to tame a kitten, what if the situation gets out of control and an unaffectionate cat will grow out of a cute creature. The baby quickly gets used to it and begins to understand:

Where is the toilet.
Where is the bowl of food?
Who lives in the family, from whom you need to hide.

To tame a cat you will have to wait ten days (maximum). Usually this much time is spent on re-educating a street dweller.

It’s worth learning from the very beginning: a kitten’s squeak means “I feel bad,” while purring is a sign of goodwill and contentment.

There is no need to push a squeaking lump into a bathtub of water or allow children to cause pain. The kitten should feel safe and loved. It’s easy to accustom a kitten to handling and rules of behavior (both in the house and at an exhibition): affection, play and treats will do.

Once the baby is in the house, you need to give him time to calm down. You can leave him in an unlocked cage or put him in a low cat basket. Don't forget to place a bowl of water nearby.

In a calm environment, the kitten will soon crawl out of its shelter and go to inspect the territory of the house. Don't pick him up just yet. It is enough to gently stroke him and say a few words in a calm tone. Then transfer to a bowl and praise. In this case, the kitten in your hands will not perceive the action as danger.

Within 24 hours, the cat will begin to trust its owner and may jump onto its lap. The kitten will learn to sit quietly in your arms if you support it by its back. The warmth of the hand is soothing, and any possible fear of heights disappears.

Trapping rules

If a trusting kitten reaches out to a person, just pick him up and take him home. The shy wild animal can be caught using a fishing net, an old blanket or another piece of thick fabric. Be sure to wear gloves. While defending itself, a cat can scratch, bite and in the process cause a dangerous infection.

You can make a trap out of a cage or carrier. Place bait (dry food, fish, etc.) inside and close the door at the right time, for example with a rope. A ready-made trap can be purchased at a pet store. You should not pick up blind kittens if their mother has not abandoned them: it will be difficult for such a baby to be released. Better come back for the animal later.

Features of training pedigree cats

Some cat breeds naturally have a distant attitude towards people. Some animals remain in the country because they do not need a lot of communication; there are active breeds that simply “have no time” to contact the owner. In any case, you cannot raise your cat until you earn its trust.

Note! Even the most temperamental pets quickly begin to trust owners who observe the principle of constancy. To help your cat get used to you faster, feed her on a schedule and try to communicate with her at the same time.

To prevent your cat from feeling discriminated against, be sure to provide her with a personal place to rest. When a pet sleeps on a bed, it should be untouchable. If there are small children or other animals in the house, set up a place for the new pet in a remote room that is locked.

How to hand train a British and Scottish cat

Experienced owners believe that taming a British or Scottish cat is very simple. The breed standards indeed indicate that its representatives are sociable and people-oriented. However, many potential owners are unaware of how self-sufficient these breeds are.

Note! The experience of owners shows that self-sufficient cats are easiest to tame by sleeping together. If you're opposed to your cat sleeping in your bed, pick him up when you're about to watch TV or relax.

Without establishing a close interpersonal space, the cat will remain distant. If you like to hold your pet in your arms and communicate closely with it, you will have to devote time to establishing a close interpersonal space.

Let us immediately note that British and Scottish cats are not prone to destructive behavior in the home, but they can completely ignore the wishes of an owner who is not trusted.

How to hand train a Bengal cat

Many potential owners dream of owning a Bengal cat, without even knowing how active this breed is. Establishing interpersonal contact with active cats occurs only during games. To train a Bengal, you need to play with it at least three to four times a day.

Note! Active four-legged animals positively perceive verbal praise and rewards with treats, but only during play.

The best way to establish close interpersonal contact with an active cat is to teach it to walk on a leash. When in an unfamiliar environment, a cat instinctively reaches out to someone who can protect it (the owner). I gradually get used to walks, the pet learns who the owner is the source of security and begins to trust him.

How to accustom a cat to hands and affection

If you want cat affection, become patient and affectionate yourself. An outdoor cat will begin to trust a person when it gets used to his smell and voice. He will associate his appearance with a pleasant event (food, affection).

A wild cat is tamed in the same way as a kitten. First, treats are brought regularly. Then they hold out their palm with a piece of the most delicious thing (the delicacy lies in the center of the palm, not on the fingers!), and allow it to be sniffed. When the cat begins to approach, perhaps rubs its head on its leg, you can pet it in response, speaking calmly and affectionately.

A common mistake: in order to tame a cat at home, he is immediately locked in a room - the animal will try to escape as soon as it is freed.

You can call the cat with you, after a few meters, stop, praise, and give a treat again. The main thing is that if you come, give her the opportunity to leave. Without feeling afraid, the pet will return.

What you need to know about unfamiliar animals

Be careful when catching cats on the street. The animal may scratch or bite you. Cats are carriers of various diseases, many of which occur without significant symptoms. Be sure to show the caught animal to the veterinarian as soon as possible. If you plan to keep your cat at home before visiting the doctor, place it in quarantine, isolating it from other animals.

If you are bitten by a wild cat, you should immediately see a specialist. It is better not to touch street animals that look unhealthy. But if you want to cure such a cat, follow all the rules of hygiene and try to avoid direct contact.

The above instructions on how to catch a cat in a trap will help you. We all know from childhood that you shouldn’t touch a cat’s tail. Also try to remember that only kittens can be lifted by the fold of skin on the neck. It is not recommended to grab adults like this.

Why is the cat not affectionate?

If a cat scratches and bites as an adult, the owners themselves are to blame. While still playing with her, they allowed her to “claw” in excitement. At first it's funny, then the adult:

bites legs;
does not allow himself to be combed;
spoils things, marks territory.

The simplest veterinary examination and medical procedures (injections, enemas) turn into a nightmare for the owner.

The independence and aggressiveness of a mustachioed cohabitant should not be shown towards family members. If the owners are afraid, the pet will become impudent. It is recommended to hold the cat in your arms more often and show affection. After taming, release it for further exploration of the area, praise and treat it with something tasty for good behavior.

Gradually the cat will understand: nothing bad is happening. If you do this regularly, at the same time talk affectionately, give a piece of “yummy” - after a while you can add short-term combing, examining the ears and other manipulations.

An irrepressible desire to “cuddle” can also be the reason why a cat becomes less affectionate. Small children will happily play with the kitty and pull its ear or tail.

Adults sometimes don’t lag behind (especially if the cat is not their property): they shamelessly shove pieces from the table, try to stroke them and pick them up against their will. It's not the cat that needs to be blamed, but the owner:

If the cat is not the highlight of the program, it is better to isolate it in another room. Or warn the guest about correct behavior.
For children, it is better to find other fun, otherwise the simplest scratch on the hand of an uncontrollable child will ruin the evening.
When neither the person nor the cat is particularly anxious, let them interact as they wish.

Advice. It is advisable to wash your hands not only after interacting with an animal, but also before. Precautionary measures apply to small unvaccinated kittens.

The selection of some breeds followed the path of consolidating external characteristics. Such cats are more attached to the territory than to the owner. For example, bobtails and Norwegian forest cats do not recognize excessive affection.

It is better to choose a Burmese, Siamese, Sphynx or Rex or an ordinary yard cat - a “mongrel”. “Human-dependent” cats can hardly tolerate loneliness, they are easy to tame and they love the affection of their owner.

What to do to tame a street cat?

It all depends on how old the outdoor cat is. For example, if you pick up a kitten under 10 weeks of age, you can tame it in just one week. The situation is worse with an adult: it can take several months for such a cat to get used to a person. Sometimes such cats are not tamed at all! In any case, in order to tame a wild street animal, you will need to stock up on enormous patience.

Hearty lunch. The very first step in taming a wild cat from the street will, of course, be feeding it. There is no need to overfeed an animal that is accustomed to malnutrition in the wild. It is best to divide your meals into three hourly meals.

Water procedures. An outdoor cat needs to be washed. It’s probably not worth talking about the danger fleas and other parasites living in her fur can pose. Water procedures should be attended to as quickly as possible. It is worth noting that washing a stray cat is not an easy task! Do not frighten the animal with excessive water procedures.

The main thing in washing a street cat is to use special preparations and shampoos to remove parasites from pets. Since cat scratches on your hands cannot be avoided, you need to prepare brilliant green, alcohol, iodine or hydrogen peroxide to disinfect the resulting wounds.

Treatment. It is necessary to take the street cat to a veterinary hospital to administer antihelminthic drugs. The doctor will examine the animal, determine its condition, identify diseases that it picked up in the wild, and recommend appropriate treatment. When taming an outdoor cat, you need to be prepared to spend a lot of money on its treatment.

Moral preparation. You need to understand that a once stray animal will have to live in completely limited conditions for it and get used to new rules. Unfortunately, in most cases this does not give any positive results.

In any case, you need to be mentally prepared for the fact that the cat will begin to hide in the corners of the house, and when it sees a person approaching it, it will begin to behave aggressively. This is understandable: street animals almost always retain their wild habits and habits. Their hunting instinct is highly developed. Moreover, they have an increased desire to reproduce. This also needs to be taken into account.

Do not place a cat in a cage or other confined space! She may take this for a trap, then it will definitely be impossible to tame her. There is no need to react negatively to an animal’s aggression; it cannot begin to trust a person so quickly. A wild cat should be taught to use the toilet, careful feeding and good manners gradually. In the first days of a street cat’s life in a new place, you should not try to pet it; it is better to demonstrate your affection with a gentle voice.

How to catch a wild kitten that is afraid of people

Although caring for a cat takes less effort than caring for a dog, adopting an outdoor cat is a big responsibility. It’s a pity for the little lump, scared and frozen, squeaking near the trash can or the entrance door. He will not scratch or bite if you put the kitten in your palm, stroke it, and mutter a few gentle soothing words. The warmth of human hands for a baby is a guarantee of food and safety.

Please note that we are talking only about feral and street cats, whose ancestors have always lived with humans. The real wild cats, which can only be tamed by Yuri Kuklachev and the Zapashny brothers, are:

Jungle Cat (House);
European forest cat;
Amur (Far Eastern) cat - inherits aggression towards humans and fear.

For an outdoor wild cat or kitten from the street, a visit to the veterinarian is mandatory, as it can be a carrier of viruses and infections that are dangerous to the health of humans or other animals in the house.

The newborn was probably thrown out by people: no hand was raised to drown or poison. Opening her eyes, the baby captured the person as a relative. Therefore, he does not experience aggression towards people. It’s easy to domesticate this one: it will get used to its new home and fall in love with its new owner in an evening.

Imprinting (instant early memory) of kittens that were born and lived in an attic or basement for a couple of months does not apply to humans. Stray cat cubs can remain feral for life.

The little “animals” run away, and when you try to pick them up, they bite. To catch a wild cat, use primitive traps:

large box;
baby bath;
a rabbit cage without a bottom;
regular carry...

They put food on the ground and cover it, for example, with a box.

Important. Consider the size of the animal. A heavy container falling on its back can injure the cat.

All that remains is to lift it and place one side on a support with a rope. As soon as the animal approaches the food, the stick is pulled out.

A more complex option: a cage with a lowered door (kotolovka). Triangular-shaped nets with a long handle and noose loops are also used.

To catch a domestic yard kitten, it is enough to regularly feed it by hand and talk to it. In a couple of days the baby will come running when called and allow himself to be petted.

When thinking about how to tame a cat, a person forgets: the cat chooses the owner. It was the cat who first began to meow, demanding food and attention, rubbing against her legs, showing affection. Once in the apartment, the animal adapts to the rhythm of the owner, giving him special, cat-like care.

How to catch a wild cat

Wild animals are often called individuals that have no experience of social adaptation with people. Animals are afraid of humans and react aggressively to his actions. Determine if they are strays before catching them.

The difference between a wild animal and a domestic pet

It is often very difficult to distinguish a street feline from a tailed one that has left the house for a walk. The idea that a wild stray cat is necessarily dirty and thin is a misconception. Street four-legged animals are often fed by caring residents of nearby houses, so they are not always exhausted. And since cats are clean creatures that take care of their fur, healthy stray animals can look no worse than their counterparts living at home.

If it is difficult to determine whether a cat is truly feral, watch him for a while. When an animal is on the street both day and night, it is unlikely that it has a home. Domestic walking cats return from the street at night.

Lost pets make contact even with a stranger because they associate warmth and food with him. Signs of a stray cat are wounds and scratches on the face and body, torn ears, which are evidence of its participation in battles for a female or protection of territory.

Street cats, especially those that have previously been abused, are often aggressive towards humans, unlike lost pets

Catching a cat: safety measures

The process of catching a street cat has its own characteristics. Try to lure a small kitten out of hiding using a candy wrapper on a string or food: dry food, fish, meat, canned cat food placed on a saucer. When he comes close, catch him by the fold of skin on his neck and press him tightly to your chest. Another way is to put food inside the pet carrier, lure the kitten in with a wrapper or another toy and close the door.

It's more difficult with older animals. Wild cats and cats, after a long stay in the street, become cautious, afraid of people and run away from them more often than small kittens. Of course, you can try to pick up the animal with your bare hands. But since the cat is wild, it will begin not only to hiss, but also to bite and scratch. To avoid accidental injury, handle it carefully. You can protect yourself by wearing thick gloves and thick clothing that covers all exposed parts of the body.

Kotolovka

To protect yourself and speed up the process of catching an animal, use a special cat trap (cat trap). It is sold in pet stores and veterinary hospitals. You can rent it from a specialized animal control service, a shelter, or make it yourself. It is suitable for both adult cats and babies. An animal carrier with a closing door, which is secured with a tied rope in the upper position, is also used as a trap.

Kotolovka - a reliable trap for stray animals

Before using the trap, gradually accustom the stray cat to your presence for at least two days - regularly feed him something tasty at certain hours, talk to him, and calm him down. Although cats are predators by nature, a treat will help in establishing contact with them. Do not pick up the animal, even if it does not show concern. When the cat is no longer afraid, lure him inside the trap:

set a trap in the area where the animal most often visits;
attract the cat with tasty bait with a pleasant smell: fish, canned food for cats, dry food, and other products placed in a plastic plate.

Place the food in front of the trap entrance and on the side opposite the door. It is important that the cat enters completely inside the trap. The operating principle of all types of such devices is the same. It consists of closing the door of the structure after the cat is inside. After this, cover the top of the trap with a blanket or cloth so that in the twilight the cat will quickly recover from the resulting stress.

Video: catching a cat using a homemade trap

Landing net trap

Among wild cat catchers, a landing net is considered a good tool. It differs from the net in its triangular shape. The device folds to a length of 1 m and expands to 3-4 m. It is more reliable if it is made of dense fishing line.

It is advisable to carry out the capture process in the dark, when the animals will not notice the swing of the landing net. Animal rights activists who consider all trappers to be knackers are also less likely to be found. Go it alone or take someone to feed your cat. First, open the landing net and pour some food into the cat's mouth. Then enter with the device open from the back of the animal. If you throw a landing net on a cat while in his field of vision, nothing will happen.

There are two types of wild cats (cats):

not paying attention to the landing net (until the first unsuccessful attempt to catch them);
smart animals that do not approach the landing net closer than 5 m.

Approach any cat discreetly from behind when it is eating. With a sharp movement, quickly cover it with a landing net. If unsuccessful, she may no longer even come close to complementary feeding. Practice on pets first. When the cat is caught, pressing the device to the ground in the direction from the handle to the net, move it with gloved hands until it comes out of the landing net. At this point, grab the net with your palm and lift the cat in the net. Hold the landing net not by the handle, but by the net. There are two ways to get a cat:

less dangerous - the cat is taken to the garage, basement, apartment and transferred to a carrier;
more risky - the cat is transferred to the carrier at the capture site: the back of the carrier is placed against the wall so that the cat cannot run out, then the door is opened, the landing net is brought to the hole with the exit forward, the hand holding the net is unclenched, and the cat is pushed inside the carrier.

How to introduce a kitten to a cat

If there is already a male cat living in the house, then the appearance of a small relative can turn into a big problem. The fact is that male cats do not have maternal instinct, and they experience only hostile feelings towards other cats (even small ones) that encroach on their territory.

Owners and owners need to be patient, not swear at animals, not leave them in the same room in the hope that they will become friends, and not use force. Otherwise, you can end up with only two stressed cats and say goodbye to the dream of their friendship forever. If you take into account the characteristics of both animals, there will be a greater chance that the acquaintance will be easier. One of the peculiarities is that cats defend their territory in every possible way, and the appearance of a stranger is perceived as an encroachment. Therefore, it is better to introduce them to each other gradually. Here are some nuances of this process:

Having brought home a small kitten, it is better to place it for several days (about a week) separately from adults in another room. Let him stay in the box for the first couple of days, and when he gets used to it, let him run around. During this time, you should not bring the young pet and the old-timer cat together - let them get used to the smells of other animals. During this period, the kitten will get used to and adapt to its new home.
When the baby leaves his box, where he lived for the first time, it must be taken out to where the owner-cat lives. It makes sense to change the cats’ bedding, and, if possible, the cats themselves. Let the old-timer and the new-comer study each other's smells and get used to them. And after 5-7 days, bring them nose to nose and introduce them. By the way, this method is suitable if you have problems getting to know your cat.
Acquaintance should take place exclusively under the supervision of the owner. If one of the parties begins to show even the slightest signs of aggression, then you should immediately interrupt the date and separate both animals. And under no circumstances should you scold a cat that has shown aggressiveness. There is no need to shame him, much less punish him physically. Cats are created by nature as loners, and he does such things instinctively, and not because there are some other reasons. The next attempt to bring two cats together should be repeated no earlier than the next day.
If there is no aggression upon contact, then you should carefully observe the cats. Don't forget about separate resources. Both pets - the little newcomer and the big old-timer - should have personal trays, separate bowls, bedding, etc. And they need to be positioned so that the cats’ paths do not cross on the way to them. Then there will be no competition and struggle for possession of the necessary thing and there will be no infringement of rights.
Once both cats have become friends, you can begin to move their food bowls closer together, gradually moving them closer and closer. In the same way, it is worth bringing the trays closer together until they are in the same room. The owner should observe the principle of equality when communicating with the kitten. That is, give him the same attention as an adult pet. Otherwise, jealousy and hostile feelings towards the new resident will appear. You should also play evenly with both cats.

It is worth noting with regret that not always the efforts made to adapt small cats and their coexistence with adult cats can bring positive results.
Among the felines, there are specimens that treat with hostility and hatred the appearance of any other animal in the home - and not necessarily a cat. It is impossible to say definitively what decision to make if a cat categorically does not want to put up with the existence of a kitten next to them. It’s worth trying again, having patience and calm, and trying to make friends with the animals. It would be useful to have the help of a knowledgeable animal psychologist or an experienced veterinary specialist. They will tell you what’s wrong: maybe some method of influencing the pets has not been used, or too little time has passed and the cats have not adapted to each other’s presence. And if the owner believes that he has tried all the methods and all possible methods, but the problem remains, then the only option remains: to give the kitten to other owners.

If animals live in a house, then it is full of joy, positive emotions and happiness. In order for their life together to proceed peacefully and amicably, it is necessary to work hard, showing patience and attention. By showing these emotions to the maximum, you can defeat nature and force an adult cat to be friends with a small, stupid kitten. And then there will be exactly twice as much good mood in the house!

how to make friends between a cat and a dog

First contacts

When you take a pet into your home, the first step is to carry out several important procedures. This is a visit to the vet and a wash. The specialist will check for discharge from the nose and eyes, examine the fur and skin, take tests, and determine the approximate age of the kitten. In addition, the doctor will give advice on vaccinations, care, feeding and treatment (if it turns out that it is necessary).

After visiting the veterinary clinic, the new resident must be washed off the accumulated street dirt. But this can only be done if there are no medical contraindications. For example, with some skin diseases, cats cannot be washed until they are completely cured.

Water treatments

For washing, it is better to use a special anti-parasite shampoo. The owner should be prepared for the fact that the kitten will react negatively to the process, will break free, and use its claws and teeth.

Before starting taming, the animal must be given time to come to its senses and calm down a little. Most likely, as soon as he is released, he will hide in the darkest and safest (in his opinion) corner. This could be a box, under a closet or under a bathtub. Let the baby sit there. There is no need to touch it or try to pull it out. There should be no bright light or loud sounds in the room.

From time to time you can come up and talk to the kitten. The words must be pronounced quietly, affectionately. You should not catch the animal’s gaze; if you look directly into its eyes, it will perceive it as a threat.

Perhaps after a while the kitten will come out of hiding and begin to slowly walk around the room, sniffing and looking around. If not, it's time to take action.

After sitting in the shelter for several hours, the animal will get hungry. This must be used to try to lure him out. Not far from the place where the kitten hid, bowls with food and water are placed. At first, it is better to choose soft and aromatic food.

Having smelled the food, the pet will sooner or later leave the shelter and approach the bowl. Most likely, after eating, he will hide back. The bowl must be moved further and further so that the cat goes out into the open space.

Hunger won

After the animal is born, you can proceed directly to taming.

Taming

When the selected pet gets used to the house a little, you can begin to tame it. To begin with, you should place a bowl of food next to the secluded place where he sits out. At first, it is recommended to offer the kitten wet food - such food will most likely attract the attention of a hungry animal, and it will come out of hiding.

You should gradually move the bowl of food closer to the middle of the room in which the pet is hiding, forcing it to come out further and further. You can then offer food by placing it at arm's length.

When you manage to feed the kitten by hand, you can try to pet it, but without sudden movements, gently placing your hand on its back or muzzle.

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How to catch a cat at home?

They say that cats have excellent intuition. And it’s true, most cats that are afraid of the road begin to hide immediately before getting ready for a trip. If you regularly visit the veterinarian or go to the country with your pet, you should try to accustom him to travel.

Buy a comfortable carrier and place it in a visible place. You can put your cat's favorite bedding or food inside. Let your tailed friend sniff this acquisition himself and make sure that there is nothing scary inside. If the trip is not planned, but important, feel free to catch the animal and place it in a carrier or a special bag. It is worth noting that catching a cat at home is much easier than on the street. In a small room, two people can complete this task in 5-10 minutes.

Cat demands

No matter how expensive and large the purchased “mansions” are, a furry homebody can always prefer a cozy corner of the sofa or an ordinary shoe box to a new thing.

That is, even if the owner really likes the new thing and seems extremely comfortable and cozy, this does not mean at all that the purr will share this point of view. He is not at all interested in external beauty and elaborate design, and the list of criteria by which convenience and comfort is determined is different for each cat. Accordingly, when choosing, you should be guided more by it, and not by your own taste:

Sizes – everything here depends not only on the size of the pet itself, but also on its preferences. Some animals love spacious spaces and prefer to lie with their paws outstretched, while others, on the contrary, look for cramped, cozy places. You are most likely very familiar with your pet's habits, so this aspect should not cause problems.
Quality of materials – the materials from which the cat house is made play an important role. They may be unpleasant to the touch or, even worse, have a strong chemical smell, since wear-resistant synthetics are usually used for sewing or upholstery. The main problem here is that the human nose cannot detect the spectrum of aromas that small wet cat noses can easily distinguish. This can only be avoided by completely abandoning cheap “noname” products. At the same time, it is usually much easier to accustom a cat to a “branded” house, since large manufacturers always take into account the peculiarities of cat behavior and sense of smell.
Stability - as in the case of scratching posts, a cat house must be extremely stable, since the animal cannot relax and fall asleep peacefully on a swinging structure. And just one noisy fall will be enough for it to completely lose confidence in your purchase.
Additional exits - a closed structure is not always the key to comfort. Few owners know that the difference in the psychology of cats and cats is inherent in nature: the cat will most likely like the fact that he can hide from prying eyes and relax in a closed space, but the cat, on a subconscious level, needs an emergency exit. This is how animals take care of their offspring and plan escape routes, even without kittens.

If you take these features into account when choosing, then most likely it will be very easy to accustom your cat to a house. But if the pet still doesn’t like something, or the house was purchased in advance, it will take some effort and ingenuity to train it.

How long will it take?

The timing of taming depends very much on the age of the animal, as well as on how long it has lived on the street and whether it has ever lived among people. A small kitten can make contact within a day. But an adult animal that has lived on the street for a long time can take a week or several months to get used to it. In addition, adult pets, even after a long stay at home, often retain fear of other people or the habit of hiding at the slightest noise. Sometimes it is not possible to get rid of these features, despite all the efforts of the owners.

Return of the Prodigal Cats

In modern cities, most domestic cats spend their entire lives in apartments. It is not uncommon for an animal unfamiliar with the street to fall out or jump out of a window. A cat can also leave its home through an open front door. How to catch a cat if it is on the street? Try to calm down and find out the exact location of your pet. Do not try to immediately run into the yard and try to grab the animal with your bare hands. This option for catching cats is doomed to failure in 90% of cases.

If your pet has never left the apartment, getting close to the street is always stressful for him. Even the calmest animal will behave aggressively and may simply not recognize its owners. A trick will help you bring your cat home. Be sure to dress in thick clothing and protect your hands with leather gloves. First, try luring the animal with food or your favorite toys. To enhance the effect, you can sprinkle the bedding on which the cat sleeps at home with “catnip” (sold as a spray in pet stores) and take it outside.

Don't expect the animal to come into your hands. Most likely, you will have to grab it very quickly. A good option is to wait until your cat is interested in food and then throw a jacket or blanket over it.

How to accustom a kitten to being held?

The classic idea of a domestic cat is a warm furry ball curled up in your arms, purring in different tones. But some pets are too independent, not very affectionate and do not strive for intimacy with humans. And then the owner is faced with the question of how to accustom the cat to handling.

There are several methods to help overcome fear or reluctance to handle.

After a hearty meal, the pet is relaxed and sleepy. You can pick up a dozing kitten and gently cuddle it to keep it warm and cozy. After a short time, the baby will begin to climb up to the owner on his own.
Treats will help lure the kitten onto the person's lap. While he is eating, you need to gently stroke him and scratch him behind the ear. Gradually, the pet will understand that sitting in your arms is pleasant.
While playing, you need to pull the toy onto your lap from time to time. When the kitten jumps after you, you need to pet him. Over time, he will get used to close contact with a person and will strive for it himself.

Games bring people closer together

Perhaps the cat is simply afraid of heights due to the fact that he was picked up incorrectly. In order for the baby to feel comfortable, one hand is placed under his front paws, and the other is placed under his hind paws. You shouldn't hold the kitten up; it's better to lightly hold it close to you.

When using one method or another, you need to carefully monitor your pet, and the right path to training will definitely be found.

Let's get started with education

There are 4 ways to do this.

We put the house in a favorite place

Most likely, your Murka already has a favorite place in the apartment, and if this is not your bed, the new house can be placed on it. If the cat accepts the rules of the game and begins to sleep in a new home, you should not rush to move it to where, according to your plan, it should have been placed initially. It may take the animal up to 2-3 weeks to get used to it and realize all the convenience. If you rearrange the house earlier, then, most likely, its furry owner will continue to sleep in his usual place, and will not follow the new comfortable bed.

We are trying to interest

Cats themselves are inquisitive, but sometimes you have to encourage them to use their new house for its intended purpose. There are several ways to interest your pet:

periodically place treats in the house so that the pet gets into the new home entirely,
transfer your favorite toys to it.

With a high probability, the cat himself will understand that inside the new incomprehensible “thing” it is very cozy and not at all scary, and will gradually begin to stay there after eating or playing to take a nap, and a little later even go there to sleep on purpose.

We insist on our own

This method is well suited for those animals that periodically change their location - they do not have one permanent bed and sleep wherever they can, leaving fur on their clothes, carpet and occupying the owner’s favorite chair. In this case, the cat needs to be taught to sleep in one place. You just need to pick her up and put her in her new home, stroking her so that she stays inside. This way, only pleasant sensations will be associated with the house.

A little later, the cat will begin to climb inside on its own, and at first, when you notice this, you must pet the pet so that it understands that it is doing everything correctly and the owner approves of this behavior. This method requires patience and works best with kittens, but is helpful when training adults.

If all else fails

The very last step in house training a cat is to use catnip or valerian. Mint can be purchased at a pet store in the form of dried plants, drops or spray. A small amount of the product will be enough to prevent your pet from tearing himself away from the treated area for several minutes. These herbal remedies are safe for the cat’s body and are often used by livestock breeders to correct behavior. In this case they are also very effective.

In conclusion, it is worth emphasizing that the habits and personalities of all pets are different, so you will have to find an approach to your cat yourself. But if you apply a little patience and do not use force, you can find mutual understanding even with the most capricious and cunning animal.

Raising a street or feral kitten

It is necessary to determine what kind of kitten is in front of the person - one that was recently thrown out of the house or a feral one, born on the street by the same cat. In the first case, the educational process, as a rule, is relatively easy: the baby has not yet gotten used to people, but is experiencing severe stress. In the second case, he initially had contact only with animals, so he may never fully get used to a person, maintaining distrust of him for the rest of his life. What should you do if a kitten appears in the house?

Determine how wild

First, it’s worth understanding whether the animal has always been homeless or whether it was recently abandoned.
A wild kitten born on the street, as a rule, hisses and is afraid of people, and has unkempt fur. If the animal meows at the sight of a person, does not try to hide in panic, and its coat is relatively clean, then, most likely, it was recently kicked out of the house. It will be easier to tame such a kitten. A feral animal can also be raised, but it will take more time, and some problems may still not be solved. For example, a cat may remain distrustful of strangers or fearful of them for the rest of its life.

Why does a cat refuse to be held?

In most cases, owners of cats picked up on the street face a similar problem. In this case, the pet’s behavior is understandable - he simply does not trust people. It’s worth waiting a little until the cat gets used to it, takes a closer look at the new environment and learns to trust the members of the household. It is more difficult to understand a cat that came into a family from a nursery as a kitten, but after a certain time still does not want to sit in your arms.

Possible reasons:

The cat is just uncomfortable . The animal should be picked up in such a way that there is a support point and movements are not constrained. The best option is one hand under the chest, the other supporting under the hind legs.
The pet is afraid of heights . This may sound funny, but often among representatives of the cat world there are specimens that are afraid of heights. If the cat begins to panic when being held, you need to squat down. This will allow the pet to feel more confident.
Memories . Cats have phenomenal memories. If, as a kitten, your pet slips from your hands and falls, he will remember this for the rest of his life.
Repulsive odors . Unpleasant, pungent odors for cats that come from human clothing, for example, alcohol, eau de toilette, soap or shower gel, can cause reluctance to touch.

What to do after catching a cat

Felines can be carriers of diseases, most of which have no obvious symptoms. To avoid possible unpleasant consequences, show the cat to a specialist before transporting it home. If you have to take it to the veterinary clinic by car, then place a trap with the animal on the seat, covering it with a towel or blanket. Upon arrival, remove it from the trap (portable container) safely .

Having received a bite from a wild cat, immediately consult a doctor so that the four-legged client is examined in a timely manner, the necessary tests are done, and a conclusion is given about the absence (presence) of infection and its safety for people and animals with whom it will come into contact.

If the cat stays in the apartment before visiting the veterinary clinic, quarantine is required. Place the cat in a separate room, isolating it from people.

Before bringing a stray cat home, check its health by contacting a veterinarian

We accustom animals to each other

The kitten must be brought home in a box. The cat can be allowed to sniff and get to know the new resident. But do not remove it from the box and do not allow it to come into contact until all hygiene requirements have been met. Just bring the kitten into the room and go play with him. If the baby has already adapted to the person, you can start opening the door. This way the cat will be able to see that you are communicating with the kitten. At this moment, you need to call the cat to you and treat it with a treat. Don't give your favorite reason to be jealous. For several days, kittens can be gradually accustomed to the cat, but always be nearby. If you leave the apartment, lock the animals in separate rooms.

The first thing you need to do is show the cat that the kitten does not claim her territory. Do not move your main pet's things and household items. Thus, the likelihood that the pets will become friends will increase. For kittens, you immediately need to allocate a separate bowl, tray and place to rest. Subsequently, compliance with this rule is also important. The cat must have its own litter box, which other animals do not have the right to claim. Otherwise, this can cause a storm of negative emotions and even conflict between pets.

It’s better not to start your first acquaintance right away. Let the cat walk around the house and get used to the kitten's smell. It may take three or four days before you bring your pet into your baby's room. It is important to consider one more point. Your first resident may be resourceful and ask you to let her into the room. But it is better to ignore her request so that a quarrel does not arise between the animals.

How to tame a pet

If you want to hold a furry pet in your arms at least sometimes, you need to make a series of efforts, and act slowly so as not to scare the animal away.

According to zoologists, cats, even adults, can be tamed if you are consistent in your actions.

We establish contact. First, you need to establish general contact with your pet - stroke its fur as often as possible, pamper it with healthy treats, and spend more time playing with it.

Training. As soon as the cat begins to communicate with pleasure with a person, you can train it to sit on your knees and hands, using the following recommendations:

Give your pet his favorite treat by hand more often. In this case, the cat will form a causal-hereditary relationship, and the owner’s hands will be associated with something pleasant.
Do not raise your voice near your pet, and do not laugh loudly. Cats don't like annoying sounds.
Get interested in a glowing toy by placing it on your lap.
Accustom it to hands when your pet has eaten a hearty meal. The fact is that the cat will be in a pleasant half-asleep and is unlikely to resist the additional warmth emanating from the owner.
When you pick up your cat, you should immediately offer him his favorite food. As soon as the cat eats, it must be released. Having done this trick several times, the pet will be happy to be picked up on its own in the future.
If a cat has a fear of heights, you need to tame it slowly, sitting on your knees, gradually rising higher.
The training procedure should be carried out in a light playful manner. Toys on strings - bows, mice - are perfect for this. First, you need to properly “play” your pet, gradually moving the toy closer to your lap. In pursuit of the target, in excitement, the cat will jump onto its lap and not even notice it. By practicing such games more often, the mustachioed tabby will quickly get used to jumping onto his owner’s lap.
While the pet is small, it can be carried in a pocket robe, like in a baby carrier. The baby will really like this fun, and he will perceive the robe as his property. An adult cat will associate the smell of a person on clothes with childhood.
Talk more and calmly with your pet. The gentle, monotonous voice of the owner will calm the animal, giving a feeling of peace and security. If you stroke a cat at the same time as talking, it will quickly get used to close communication, begin to trust its owner and go to its knees for affection and attention.

Radical methods. If the above measures do not help, you can take an extreme step. Pet stores sell special aerosols that contain pheromones. These products will attract the cat. Just apply a small amount of aerosol on your palms, and your pet will always reach for them.

The use of aerosols has a disadvantage - there may be a problem in weaning the animal from the aerosol.

To help your cat get used to the smell of the product, you can use catnip. Accustoming an adult pet to handling is much more difficult; things will go faster with a kitten.

How to make friends between a cat and a kitten?

Simple steps to strong friendship

We act smoothly.

Haste is our main enemy. If you brought a kitten home and immediately brought it to the cat, do not be surprised at the latter’s aggressive reaction. For us, a kitten is a cute fluffy ball. But for a cat, he is a source of unfamiliar odors, a stranger and a competitor. It will take her time to get used to it. Forcing events is the path to failure.

We divide the territory.

A new pet for a cat is a competitor. Our task is to change her perception. The cat must understand that no one claims its territory, that it does not need to fight for it. To do this, keep the kitten in another room for the first few days. It is better if at first he does not intersect with the cat at all. The baby should have his own bowls, his own bed and, most importantly, his own tray. Many cats refuse to use their usual place and begin to play pranks in the apartment if their litter box is “marked” by another animal.

The first acquaintance is through smells.

Even if the kitten lives in another room and does not intersect with the cat, she feels him perfectly. The newcomer is given away by the smells that the cat keenly detects. She may come to the door of the room, sniff it and ask to enter. Do not give in to provocations and do not let the cat near the kitten. More likely, this will result in the first quarrel. But if in the first few days the cat simply smells the smell of a new family member, she herself will not notice how she begins to get used to him. Personal acquaintance in a few days will be calmer.

First meetings under supervision!

Personal acquaintance between the kitten and the cat should take place under the strict supervision of the owners. Each animal has its own temperament. You can't predict how your cat will react to a baby. Some people show curiosity and quickly change it to friendliness. But for most, the first reaction to a stranger is indifference or aggression. Make sure that the indignant “old-timer” does not harm the kitten or frighten it.

If the cat hisses at the kitten in warning, this is normal. Let your pets watch each other from a safe distance. But if she goes on the offensive, trying to scratch or bite the baby, interrupt the acquaintance. The meeting will need to be repeated the next day and so on until the relationship improves.

It’s funny, but in some cases the “old-timer” himself needs help. A hyperactive and fearless kitten can besiege a new friend and literally not give him access. Try to maintain balance between your pets.

Aggression is normal!

When an adult cat hurts a kitten, we want to protect it. But punishing for a hostile attitude is senseless and cruel. The cat is stressed, she is frightened by the appearance of a stranger and her behavior is guided by instincts: cats by nature are not social animals. Instead of punishing, give your cat a treat and play with it. This will help her calm down and become friendlier.

Attention - equally.

Jealousy is a feeling characteristic not only of people, but also of animals. Just as older children are jealous of their parents for a newborn, so adult pets are jealous of the “newcomers.” Of course, a kitten requires more attention and you will want to spend more time with it, but this does not mean that you can forget about other pets. If after the birth of the kitten you begin to pay insufficient attention to the cat, she will quite reasonably associate your indifference with the furry baby and her hostility will only intensify.

More fun together!

The opposite tactic to point 6 is to pay equal attention to your pets, entice them with games, and treat them with treats. After the kitten and cat get used to each other a little, involve them in joint games, buy toys that several cats can play with at once. Our goal at this stage is to instill in our pets pleasant associations from spending time together. Before you know it, the cat and kitten will be inseparable and will share everything with each other, even the tray!

Smell trick.

The most important thing in the cat world is smells. The cat reacts poorly to a newcomer because he has a foreign, unfamiliar smell. By “replacing” odors, you can shorten the bedding-in period between a cat and a kitten. Here are some ways:

— Replace the beds. The bed retains the smell of the pet. By replacing the beds, you will mix the smells of the cat and kitten.

— Dry the kitten with a slightly damp towel, then wipe the cat with the same towel. This harmless deception will make the cat smell someone else's scent, and it will quickly adapt to it.

We sterilize the cat.

With a cat everything is more or less clear. But how to make friends between a cat and a kitten? The methods are the same. However, before bringing a new pet into the house, it is better to neuter the cat. Uncastrated cats have a pronounced territorial instinct, and they are even less inclined to be friends than cats.

In conclusion, I would like to say that friendship is a matter of time. Sometimes pets do not accept each other for several months, and then become very sad even from a short separation!

Spray bait

Sometimes a cat must be accustomed to being handled using a special bait spray, which is sold in a pharmacy and usually contains catnip extract; this is necessary in cases where the kitten has been running wild for a long time and categorically refuses to make contact. Most often, this phenomenon is observed if the animal has suffered from people and because of this cannot help but fear even its owner, who loves it and has created comfortable living conditions for it. Also, basement kittens, which have largely returned to the behavior of their wild ancestors, are often distinguished by distrust.

The spray should be applied not to clothes, but to the palms of the hands, so that the kitten gets used to the person, and not to the thing. The smell of the product acts on the animal like a drug, and therefore the pet will, despite its fear, still run to the owner and rub against the hands. Gradually, the kitten will understand that there is nothing dangerous or unpleasant when communicating with a person. As a result of this, in the future, even without a spray, the pet will be willing to be handled.

When using a spray, it is important not to exceed the norm so that the baby does not become accustomed to it and begins to suffer from the lack of the drug. Because of this, you cannot use the product more often than once a day. This remedy should be used more often if you had to take an adult cat into your home.