Every cat has a different personality, so a solution that works for one pet may not work for another. You can only understand how best to “tame” your cat through trial and error. If you want your home to be safe and pet-friendly, and your things and furniture intact, try these tips.
1. Place special nets on the windows
Cats have a strong hunting instinct. When the animal sees a bird or butterfly flying by, it can jump for prey. In addition, pets sometimes lose their balance and slide off the windowsill into an open window. The consequences can be serious, ranging from lung injuries and broken bones to death. An ordinary mosquito net won’t prevent you from jumping — it’s easy to tear it apart with your claws or push it through. Install a special anti-cat grid on the window. It is strong enough to withstand attempts to tear it apart.
A window that is ajar — especially vertically — is also not safe. A curious pet may get stuck between the frame and the sash. Unfortunately, even such situations sometimes lead to death: trying to free itself, the cat slips even deeper, the internal organs are squeezed, and blood circulation is impaired. Therefore, do not leave your pet unattended when ventilating the room.
2. Stock up on scratching posts
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“Manicure” for a cat is a natural process. Thus, in the wild, animals shorten their claws and mark the area. But when there are no trees nearby that can be scratched heartily, cats turn their attention to furniture, curtains and wallpapers. Scratching posts will help preserve the interior – buy a few and place them in the places where the pet is most interested. The armrests of the sofa or chair should be protected with special sisal or jute covers.
In the future, the habits of your beloved pet can be taken into account when organizing space. For example, it makes sense to remove the wallpaper and paint the walls over time, or replace the computer chair with an acrylic mesh model.
3. Find the right tray
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Cats are picky about litter boxes. If they don’t like the size or cleanliness of the toilet, they can relieve themselves on the floor or furniture. To avoid trouble, choose a tray in which the pet fits freely and change the filler regularly. Experiment with location — cats prefer quiet locations with a good view. Ideally, each pet should have one tray plus an additional one. So if you have two cats, you’ll need three toilets.
It also happens that the pet ignores the tray for no apparent reason. Talk to your vet: this behavior may be a sign of urinary tract inflammation, kidney and thyroid disorders, and diabetes mellitus. A healthy cat sometimes has problems due to stress — moving, introducing new animals or family members. Try to minimize the reasons that may worry your pet. For example, don’t let your dog or young children bother your cat.
Sometimes an animal intentionally marks territory. This behavior is more common in males. This is how they let the females know that they are ready to mate. If you suspect that this is the reason for refusing the tray, castrate the animal. By the way, it is also better to sterilize females. The procedure has other advantages, such as cancer prevention.
4. Create a space to play
Cats jump onto closets, tear curtains and try to destroy your property in other ways, not because they like to dirty. Active games help them not to lose their predator instincts and physical fitness, which is important for weight control.
Offer your pet hammocks, cat houses, and trees to give them more space to exercise. Gaming complexes are suitable for both entertainment and recreation. They have hanging teases that will keep your pet entertained while you’re at work, multi-level shelves for sleeping, and scratching posts wrapped in sisal or jute. It is better to place such a device in a place with a good view. At the window, for example.
Many cats like to climb higher. The closets and doors offer beautiful views of everything that happens in the house. If you don’t like it, you can provide a separate shelf in the hallway. From there, the animal will watch whoever comes to visit without the risk of breaking the vase or pinching its tail.
5. Organize a place to drink
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The habit of varnishing from under the tap can seem funny until the cat starts jumping into the sink at the wrong moment. Let’s say when you’re brushing your teeth or washing food. To teach your pet to drink from a bowl, place it in a quiet place, for example, in the back corner of the kitchen, not at the front door. If the cat likes to be on hills, you can raise the container to the windowsill. The main thing is to keep the water away from the tray. Many animals are not ready to drink where they go to the toilet.
Sometimes the place is fine, but the cat still ignores the bowl. Pay attention to the material from which it is made. Metal can scare away with sound, and plastic can collect foreign odors. Change the water regularly and wash the bowl with an unscented cleaner. If your pet prefers running water, you can offer him a drinking fountain.
6. Don’t create conditions for behavior you don’t like
Cat owners often create an environment in which the animal behaves badly. For example, they scatter gadget chargers, and then scold their pet for chewing on wires. If you know that your cat is prone to chewing on cables, adapt your habits — let’s say, charge your phone in a closed room. Otherwise, the animal may get burned or suffocated.
If you want your pet to stop eating flowers, transfer them to shelves that it won’t jump to. Do you need to wean your cat from walking around the kitchen table? Don’t leave food and dirty dishes there. Suggest an alternative: for example, a bedding on the windowsill or a separate cat shelf. Don’t indulge in begging — many animal products are bad for animals. For example, milk can cause diarrhea and other digestive disorders, and large amounts of salt can cause poisoning and kidney stones. In addition, it will not be easy to retrain an adult cat, who has been accustomed to receiving food on demand since childhood.
The main thing is not to punish mistakes. Shouting, slapping, poking your nose into a random puddle will only cause stress.
7. Face losses
If you are planning to adopt a cat, you should mentally prepare for the fact that it may break, tear or scratch something. Once in a new place, the pet will definitely explore the area. So walk around the apartment and figure out what potential dangers may lie in wait for him in the house. And if you have things that are dear to your heart, hide them where the animal’s claws and teeth are guaranteed not to reach.
Source: https://lifehacker.ru/usloviya-dlya-domashnej-koshki/
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