Kitty Q&A on Cat Training and More

Q: Is cat training possible?

A: Yes, training a cat is not as impossible as many cat lovers imagine it is. Kitties most likely are not as amenable to training as Fido or Rover are but they are trainable. Tasty treats presented as positive reinforcement is most likely the surest means to train a cat.

Q: Why and how do happy cats make a purring sound?

A: Adult cats purr because they are happy and contented and to manipulate humans — Can you resist a purring kitty? Kittens purr in answer to their mother cat’s purr to assist in bonding them. It is mostly assumed that the purring is a vibration of the voice-box as air is pushed though it. It is also believed that purring is a voluntary action.

Q: Why are the reasons certain folks are allergic to cats?

A: Cat allergies are caused by the proteins in cat dander generated from the cat’s saliva. The dander dries and becomes airborne. People with cat allergies demonstrate a reaction because their immune system is trying to attack the enemy protein and creates histamines.

Q: How do you change bad cat behavior like biting?

A: The best way to break 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 undesirable behavior.

Q: How do you litter train a cat?

A: You really shouldn’t have to do any training for a cat to make use of a litter box, but if your adult cat has started to avoid the litter box you need to figure out why. The cat may have a urinary tract infection in which case you need to visit the vet. If it is just too dirty you need to keep it cleaner. If you have changed 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 table?

A: This is the most asked about cat behavior issues and can be a tough one. Cats like high platforms and they may find food or food smells on counters and tables. It is best to keep the surfaces clean and to use something like foil or double sided tape to keep cats off the counters.