Choosing a location for the house
How to house train a cat? First of all, such a shelter should be located in a place that the pet will like. The house must be installed so that it does not sway and remains stable. The place should be non-accessible, calm and create a feeling of safety and tranquility for the animal.
It is best to place the house where the cat is used to resting. You can place it near the radiator, which will attract the animal’s attention to the shelter thanks to its warmth and comfort. If you do not pay attention to such moments, the cat may forever turn away from the house and simply avoid such a refuge.
Recommendations from experts
First, you need to wean your cat from sharpening furniture. There are special sprays for this.
And you should try to accustom him to the scratching post with the help of games.
Make a bow on a string, and when the cat is chasing it, put it on the scratching post - the cat should like it.
Evgenia Aleksandrova
https://forum.koschki.ru/index.php/topic/34-kak-priuchit-vzrosluiu-koshku-k-kogtetochke/
Encourage every time you see the scratching post being used: if you sharpen it, you get a treat, you praise it, you pet it. I tried to approach the sofa - they shushed me, slammed me with a newspaper, and sprayed me with a spray bottle. During the day, you can cover the armrests of the sofas with something like large towels/bedspreads so that it is inconvenient for him to touch them. In the meantime, someone is at home, watch, listen. Gradually, a reflex will form that the sofa is a nuisance, and the scratching post is a pleasure. Well, look for yourself: if the apartment is large, then it makes sense to install several scratching posts so that it is always at hand (under the paw, in the sense). Catnip and other baits will also play a role, but your behavior will matter more.
Mrss
https://www.u-mama.ru/forum/family/pets/714922/
Many cats do not like small scratching posts - it should be 65 - 70 centimeters high - otherwise the cat will not be able to stand on its hind legs and stretch out. When caught in the act of a crime, you take him to the scratching post and scratch it with his paws. Treat the scratching post with catnip and show it to the cat; many people react well to mint. Many people love corner scratching posts. When you leave, you can put a cover made of polyethylene film on the sofa. Or, leaving the cat alone, close the room - his bed is in the corridor, let him go to the kitchen to eat, to the toilet, and that’s it.
OAya
https://www.u-mama.ru/forum/family/pets/714922/
How to interest a cat?
How to train a cat to sleep in a house? It is necessary that the shelter arouses interest in the animal. You can attract your pet’s attention to a new object in the interior by leaving his favorite toys or bedding on which the cat is used to resting.
If such solutions do not produce results, it may be worth using special sprays that are sold in pet supply stores. We are talking about products that contain valerian or catnip. The pleasant aroma will definitely attract your pet's attention to the right place. Usually, such options are resorted to when it is difficult to figure out how to accustom a cat to a house.
Why doesn't the cat like the house?
If the house meets all the stated requirements, you carefully follow the instructions for accustoming the animal to a new place, but it still does not want to stay there, analyze whether you are making typical mistakes:
- show excessive persistence and violence (forcing the cat to stay in the house against its will);
- scolded the pet near the house or after activities to accustom it to a new place.
These moments leave a mark on the cat’s perception of reality for a long time. He will want to stay away from the new home. No amount of persuasion after the “scandals” will help. Control yourself.
Punished cat
Creating comfortable conditions
How to accustom a cat to a new house? In order for an animal to want to rest in the proposed shelter, it must be comfortable to be inside. The owner should experiment a little, offering the animal different bedding. If the pet gets used to the house, the accessory can subsequently be placed in any convenient place in the apartment.
Last resort
Pet stores sell special aerosols for training pets to use the toilet and tray. One of them is called "Catnip". The smell of mint is attractive to cats, they instinctively go for it. It is not advisable to use the remedy as a force to stay in a new house, but as a last resort (if other methods do not help) it is possible.
"Catnip" for cats
The usual tincture of valerian works similarly to “Catnip”. Place a few drops in the corner of the house. The trail of aroma will remain there for a long time and will attract the delicate cat's scent.
Valerian tincture
What not to do?
Owners who are trying to figure out how to house train a cat are absolutely not recommended to use force and force the animal to stay in the proposed shelter. Such actions look at least unpedagogical. In addition, if you force a cat into a house, there is an increased risk that the animal will simply be afraid of the accessory.
It is worth noting that it is much easier to accustom a kitten to a certain shelter than an adult pet. Kids explore their surroundings with interest and are unlikely to be able to pass by a cozy, warm, and safe structure. For this reason, you should buy a house as soon as a kitten appears in the apartment.
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.
A special bed or a whole house can be purchased at a specialized store. The advantages of having your own home for a pet are the absence of co-sleeping with the owner (the kitten will not disturb its owner’s sleep). And also, if a cat is sick, they will not hide in corners or under sofas. During the illness, the animal will sleep in its house and it will not be difficult for the owner to notice changes in the behavior of his mustachioed pet.
Just buying a house and waiting for the cat to want to live there is not enough. It is important to properly accustom the animal to its place, observing persistence and patience. Only in this case will it be possible to convince the animal that it is important to follow the rules established by humans.
A house that does not comply with certain rules will never be able to please a pet, even if the person goes to all sorts of tricks. When buying a home for a cat, you need to carefully select it according to certain parameters, depending on the preferences of a particular pet.
A great house must meet several requirements. The main ones are:
- Convenience for the cat. The houses come in all different sizes. When choosing a home for a cat, it is necessary to take into account the size of the pet and its breed. So, Maine Coon or British cats gain quite a lot of weight in adulthood, and if the house is too small for such a cat, he will not want to be in it.
- Cozy home. A house made from low-quality materials that are not pleasant for a cat will not bring the animal the desired comfort. The cat will quickly realize that such a home is not suitable for him and simply will not climb there. When choosing a cat house, it is not recommended to skimp on materials.
- Sustainability. A significant aspect that allows you to be sure that the cat will not fill up its home during the game. If a cat tries to jump into its house, and at the same time it turns over or falls, then the animal, having become stressed, will not want to return there anymore.
- The presence of tunnels and exits. Naturally predatory, cats feel safer if they have multiple escape routes. Having several exits in the house will allow the cat to feel protected.
All cats are susceptible to various diseases and infections, and it doesn’t really matter if they are indoor cats or go for walks outside. There are diseases that only affect cats, and others that are dangerous to humans. Such diseases are transmitted through close contact between an animal and a person. Let's look at what diseases are common in cats and humans.
Veterinarian tips for caring for cats:
- Rabies. This is a viral disease that can affect all animals, and therefore humans can also become infected with this disease. An animal can become infected from an infectious animal, or from a rodent that is a carrier of the disease. Signs of rabies include: refusal to eat, cats are afraid of light and water, their salivation increases, and they have become more aggressive. Basically, the virus in cats is in the mouth, and therefore it can be transmitted to humans from the bite of a pet. To prevent such a disease in an animal, it is necessary to undergo annual vaccination.
- Lichen. This disease is fungal and therefore the causative agents of this disease are fungi. This is a skin disease that is characterized by peeling and redness of the dermis and in the animal. Mostly it happens on the head or on the front legs. At the first signs of illness, you must immediately take the animal to the veterinarian, get tested, and then follow the exact treatment prescribed by the veterinarian. The animal's recovery can last up to a month.
- Parasites. There are external and internal parasites. External parasites cause great discomfort to cats; they begin to itch frequently and severely. Such parasites are mainly found on the neck and stomach of the animal. They pose a great danger; through their bites they infect the animal with internal parasites - worms. Therefore, to begin with, veterinarians recommend removing external parasites; this can be done using special bathing products, and then begin removing worms. Just don’t delay treatment, this disease can be fatal for the animal. Read more in the articles: Worms in cats: causes, symptoms, treatment, prevention. What blood-sucking insects and parasites can live on a cat’s body?
The list of diseases that cats can suffer from is very long. Some can be noticed immediately, but some can occur in a hidden form. Therefore, do not forget to take your cat for vaccination, inspect her fur more often, and generally take a closer look at her. If you suddenly notice something wrong, it is better to immediately contact a specialist. Don't be afraid to make furry friends, just follow some rules for keeping and caring for them and they will shower you with love.
Take care of animals, because for them you are the whole world.
How to train a cat to use a scratching post?
Quite often, a scratching post turns out to be an absolutely useless device in the interior. An accessory can become such if the cat doesn’t like it. To avoid a fatal mistake when choosing a scratching post, you should pay attention to objects and surfaces that become “victims” of the animal. Perhaps your pet prefers to tear up the carpet, door frames, furniture or wallpaper. Based on this, you need to offer the animal an accessory with the appropriate type of surface.
What should the owner do if the cat has no special preferences and is engaged in damaging any items in the house? In this case, it is better to purchase the most stable vertical scratching post, upholstered in carpet. The solution will allow you to move the accessory to places where the cat prefers to sharpen its claws. In addition, carpet is a material that is extremely resistant to damage. Therefore, such an accessory will last as long as possible.
Today there are options when a scratching post is combined with a cat house in one complex. By giving preference to this option, you can try to solve several problems at once - get rid of the animal’s mischief and force it to constantly rest in one place.
What should the owner do if the cat shows absolutely no interest in the scratching post? As soon as the pet begins to tear up interior items, you need to calmly and without aggression bring it to the accessory. Then you need to put the animal's paws on the scratching post. Smart cats immediately understand what is required of them. When the pet begins to work its claws in the right place, the owner should once again resort to rewards, affection and verbal praise.
If the scratching post fails to protect your favorite furniture from damage, the owner should consider alternative solutions to the problem. For example, you can regularly trim your cat's claws or cover them with special silicone pads.
Help in choosing a bed
Requirements for the bed
Wild cats tend to roost during the day in hidden places. In order for the call of the ancestors to help a pet get comfortable in an artificial den, it must meet the appropriate requirements:
- Matching sizes . The animal feels safe when the walls of the shelter touch the body. A caring owner can arrange a whole cat stadium in the house for games and hunting fun, but the sleeping area should not be too spacious.
- Softness . Every second cat prefers to rest on a soft surface. This moment is especially important for small kittens who miss their mother’s furry side, and for aging animals suffering from joint pain. In this regard, cat beds are sewn in multi-layers, and the houses are covered with fleecy fabric. In turn, a cat will clearly not like a plastic carrier as a cozy rookery.
- Warm . Cats are very demanding when it comes to thermal conditions, so they love to sleep on central heating radiators during the cold season. The house purchased by the owners will become a home if it is comfortable enough in terms of temperature.
- Easy to care for. A cat bed, like any household item, requires periodic cleaning. Fabric mattresses, soft beds with sides and fabric hammocks can withstand machine washing, but baskets and frame houses have to be cleaned by hand, which is especially important for owners of long-haired cats. Some pets love to hide food supplies in the house “for a rainy day,” which requires more frequent hygiene procedures. The bed of a cat that has given birth also needs to be thoroughly cleaned. When choosing a cat house, you should consider the possibility of treating it with chemicals in case of parasitic or infectious diseases.
Veterinarian tips for feeding cats
- Cats need to be fed meat, but not very fatty, dairy products. Meat should be given to cats raw, at least every other day, after scalding the piece with boiling water. With raw meat, cats receive the bioflavonoids necessary for their predatory body, which are needed for metabolic processes. Without raw meat, cats may get sick and lose their fur.
- These animals are big lovers of meat, such as: chicken, beef, veal, minced meat, chicken gizzards and necks and liver. All this can be fed to cats. Veterinarians recommend giving liver to cats 1-2 times a week, after pouring boiling water over it.
- If you feed your cat liver very often, it can lead to hypervitaminosis (excess of vitamins) A and D vitamins.
- Also, cereals and vegetables are very useful for cats, but not every cat will eat it. Therefore, study your pet to see which cereal or vegetable does not disgust him, and mix it into his food.
- If you managed to teach your cat to eat cereals and vegetables, then this is only a plus. You can cook different porridges, except for rolled oats (it contributes to disruption of carbohydrate metabolism in cats).
- You can also add vegetables to the porridge, both boiled and raw, simply grated. Raw vegetables, like raw meat, are also very necessary for the cat's body. Beans, tomatoes and eggplants are contraindicated for cats. Vegetables can be served with meat, without cereals.
- The animal also needs to take special vitamins, they can be in the form of tablets, or place a pot of special grass next to the bowls, which contains all the vitamins necessary for cats.
- Be sure to remember to provide fresh, clean water.
- Cats can be given only 1-2 eggs per week, no more, as this destroys biotin, which is responsible for the health of the coat. Lack of biotin leads to hair loss.
- Nowadays, on store shelves we are offered a large assortment of dry ready-made cat food, but not all of them are healthy. Veterinarians recommend choosing food at a high or medium price; it contains a large percentage of meat and all the substances and vitamins necessary for the health of cats.
- Cheaper food does not contain meat at all; instead of animal protein, it uses vegetable soy protein, which can cause stones in cats.
We invite you to familiarize yourself with: The main stages of the development of life on Earth - Studiopedia
Healthy nutrition is good for cats too.
