Step by Step Tips for Training Your Cat from a Welland Veterinarian

You may have been told that cats are not trainable. The good news is, while you may not be able to get your feline companion to rollover or sit, if you apply the right techniques, you can successfully train your cat to exhibit the positive behavior that you desire. Below, a Welland Veterinarian shares some step-by-step tips on how you can accomplish this with your own feline.

Determine your limits right away.  Right off the bat you should determine what behaviors are and are not acceptable and communicate that to your cat. The sooner you do so, the easier it will be to curb negative behaviors. For instance, if your cat has been lounging on your kitchen table for weeks, the longer you wait, the more difficult it will become to get them to choose a more acceptable place to nap.

Stop the behavior as it’s happening.   Correcting your cat as she is doing what you don’t want her to do is an excellent way to help her make the connection. It’s even more effective if you can prevent the behavior from happening in the first place. For example, if your kitty is playfully batting at your hand and you know the next step is a painful bite, firmly say “no” to startle or distract her before she gets the chance. Your Welland Veterinarian can suggest some tools that can help you shape your cat’s behaviour.

Use substitution whenever possible.  If your cat’s bad behavior involves jumping on things that you don’t want him on, provide a cat-approved post or climbing station as an alternative. If scratching at your furniture is driving you batty, offer plenty of scratching posts and redirect him every time until he figures out where he is and isn’t allowed to sharpen his claws. Your Welland veterinarian can provide suggestions as to which types of scratching post would be best suited for your cat.

Reward good behavior.  Don’t get so caught up in addressing the negative behavior that you forget to reward your cat when she does something you want her to do. Make a big deal of positive and improved behaviors by providing love, affection and the occasional treat. Talk to a Welland veterinarian about which healthy treats would be best suited for your cat and how often you can give them.

At the Main West Animal Hospital,  we have been committed to caring for pets for over 35 years.   We understand the incredible bond that develops between people and their pets because we are pet lovers too.  At our hospital we take pride in making a difference in the lives of pets and creating lasting friendships with our clients. We believe that pets are an important part of our family and our community.  We come to work each and every day dedicated to consistently providing compassionate care to improve the lives of pets and their families.

Our highly trained veterinarians and friendly staff create a warm welcoming environment for you and your pet.  Our full service Veterinary hospital uses the latest equipment and technology to ensure we can provide the best care for your pet.  We are dedicated to taking a holistic approach to Veterinary medicine, treating the whole patient and not just the symptoms.

Our hospital provides preventative health care and vaccinations options for pets. We also offer animal chiropractic care,advanced surgical, medical, dental and emergency services. We are fully equipped with In-house Diagnostics, X-ray, Laser Therapy and Endoscopy services.  We would love to meet you and your pet, contact us today so that we can start building a relationship with your family (905)735-7877 or visit us online at www.mainwestvet.com

Above all else, don’t give up. Training a cat takes time, patience and persistence. Just keep at it and don’t give up, and eventually you’ll accomplish what you’ve set out for. If, after much time has passed, you still can’t seem to get your cat to behave the right way, ask your Ontario vet for advice or perhaps a referral to a behavioral specialist.