Spraying cats with water from a squirt bottle is not a reinforcement; it's a punishment. Giving your cat a choice of ways to express his behavioral needs and then rewarding his use of the choice you prefer is the best way to encourage your cat's “good” behavior.
Spraying your cat with water can have long-term negative effects. On top of the physical discomfort, spraying your cat with water doesn't actually teach your cat better behaviors and could end up seriously confusing her.
Don't use a spray bottle: There is an old myth about using a spray bottle to redirect a cat's bad behavior, but the truth is she likely doesn't associate being sprayed with the bad behavior.
Don't punish a cat for meowing. Hitting, shouting, and spraying cats with water rarely work to quiet a meowing cat in the long run, but all those actions will make your cat distrust or even dislike you. Don't give in.
Sound: Blow a whistle or fog horn, ring a bell, or toss a penny can (empty soda can with 5-6 pennies inside) in your cat's direction to startle him just as he is about to engage in the unwanted behavior. Remember, you should not say a word — the startling noise should come out of nowhere.
Reprimand your cat gently.
Avoid screaming, as this can upset your cat. Simply say, "No" when it engages in a negative behavior. If your cat stops the behavior when you ask, reward it with treats, a toy, or praise. If your cat does not listen when you say "No," try adding a small clap as well.
Cats urinate by squatting onto a horizontal surface; spraying occurs standing up. The cat makes a treading motion with her back feet and quivers her tail, leaving her scent mark on a vertical surface. If your cat has begun urinating outside of her litter box, be sure that the box is regularly cleaned.
Spaying prevents uterine infections and decreases the incidence of breast tumors, which are malignant or cancerous in about 50 percent of dogs and 90 percent of cats. Spaying your pet before her first heat offers the best protection from these diseases.
Never hit or yell at your cat for biting.
This will only reinforce in her mind that hands cause pain or that petting isn't enjoyable and she will become even less tolerant of handling. She could also become afraid of you.
Products geared toward decreasing stress and anxiety, such as pheromones and supplements, may help decrease aggressive behaviors. If your cat is bored, provide it with safe toys to play with. For persistent cats that try to chew on things they shouldn't, you can try a bitter spray as a deterrent.
Most pet cats are neutered and do not spray indoors, probably because they do not feel they need to. Spraying indoors is a sign that the cat is feeling stressed and needs to make itself feel more secure, surrounding itself by its own scent. As indoor spraying indicates that the cat feels threatened by something.
Spraying or brushing lemon water onto your cat's coat can help you get rid of the fleas. Slice a lemon and let it steep in boiling water. After the water cools down, strain it into a spray bottle. Spray gently onto your cat's fur and brush in.
At what age do kittens calm down? Generally, by 9 to 12 months old, the massive amount of enthusiasm has begun to settle, and a personality has become more apparent. Each cat differs individually with some being more playful and some lazier. However, these are some typical stages you'll see as your frisky feline ages.
Encourage petting and gentle touch to get them used to interaction from you and others. Introduce other animals slowly – Make sure your kitten is separated from other pets until they are litter box trained and fully vaccinated. Do very slow, supervised introductions and monitor activity closely.
The are constantly learning about the world around them and what behavior is acceptable and what isn't through positive and negative reinforcement. When your kitten misbehaves, it's not trying to be "bad." It's simply learning how to behave. Most kittens are happy to use a litter box and scratching post.
Time-out involves calmly placing your cat somewhere on its own where it is isolated and deprived of attention. The laundry or bathroom is an ideal location. When placing your cat in time-out be sure not to play, pet or talk to your cat as this could be perceived as a reward for bad behaviour.
When looking at body language, lowered ears and a tucked tail is a sign that the animal is uncomfortable in your presence. A very angry cat will have a puffed-up tail along with a crouched position.
As a general rule, cats are sensitive when it comes to smells, but there are a few scents they hate that might just surprise you. They can't stand citrus and as much as you might love the smell of fresh herbs, cats hate rosemary and thyme. Banana and mustard are a big no-no too, as well as lavender and eucalyptus.