Cats can be elusive creatures, and sometimes the task of getting them to come when called can seem daunting.However, if you approach this in the right way and with the right attitude, it can be much easier than you think!These are the steps that can be taken.
Step 1:Begin by making it a habit to talk to your cat often, and create a strong bond with her through petting, brushing, and spending time together.Take every opportunity to give her your love and attention.Having a good relationship with your cat is very important.
Step 2: Find a special dry treat that she really loves.This should be something that she doesn’t have very often, and it will only be used for this purpose.While you are training her to come when called, make sure you don’t give her this particular treat at any other time.Please choose something small and nutritious.A snack that is good for your cat’s teeth would be ideal.
Step 3: Find a special word that will be used for training her to come.This will become a word that she associates only with this special treat, so think of something that she won’t often hear at other times.
Step 4: The next time you give your cat a snack, use the special word.Put one treat in her empty food bowl while speaking the word out loud.
Step 5: Say the word again after she eats the treat.Then give her another of the same treat, and use the word again in the same way.
Step 6:Step away from your cat now.If she protests that she is “starving” you can say the word again and give her one more piece.Then leave the room.
Step 7: About 4 minutes later, repeat the entire process again.Your cat will begin to learn to associate the special word with her special treat.
Step 8: Continue doing this a few times a day for the next several days.Eventually, your cat will learn to come to you when you say the special word.
Step 9: When your cat starts coming to you every time you say the special word, start giving her the treat only once in a while.The rest of the time, give her lots of attention (petting, scratches, playing with a toy, whatever she likes) for a few minutes.Then let her go.Repeat this process a few minutes later.
Step 10: If you have created a strong bond with your cat, and if you have followed the above procedures correctly, your cat will now associate your special word with the extra attention and loves she gets from you.She should now be coming to you when she hears you say the word.
Please remember, the treat must be a small and nutritious snack, not something large, or a whole bowl of food.She will be eating a fair number of these during training, and we don’t want her to gain extra weight!
Make sure that you use the special word every day, just so that she will come to you for affection and hugs.If you use it only when it is time to take her to the vet or give her a bath, she will learn to associate the word with unpleasant times and it can undermine the effects of your training.When these types of occasions do come up, give your cat the treat and then wait a little bit before following through with your “hidden motive”.
So why does this technique work so well?
What this all boils down to is conditioning your cat to associate your special word with getting attention from you.The word becomes the trigger, to which she responds in order to get something she wants.Once this happens, any time you say the special word your cat comes because she knows she will be rewarded.
As you can see, the bond you form with your cat is the most important aspect of getting her to come when you call.When your cat knows that she will get love and affection from being close to you, then she will WANT to come to you any time she can.
I learned these tips and many others from Mary Matthews' book "Ultimate Cat Secrets". If you would like to enjoy a loving relationship with a perfectly well behaved cat, this is well worth a read!
If your cat has started refusing to use the litter box, she is not the only one!This is arguably the biggest problem faced by cat owners everywhere.It means your cat is trying to tell you that something isn’t right.It’s up to us as cat lovers to determine what that is!
What you definitely do NOT want to do is punish your cat.This will not make the issue go away, and may even make it worse.If your cat is punished she will learn to fear and avoid you. It can lead to increased stress for your cat, which in turn can lead to an increased problem.
Do take some time to consider each of these possible causes.You may find that there are more than one, and that you will need to address each of them separately.These are the most common reasons why your cat may not be using the litter box.
- Medical Problems
The first thing you must do when your cat starts to eliminate away from the litter box is to have your veterinarian examine him or her for any signs of medical problems.There are some very serious medical conditions that can lead to inappropriate elimination, and we want to be sure that this is not happening with your cat before we start looking at other possible causes.
If your cat appears to be straining to urinate, but he is producing only a tiny amount of urine, take him to the veterinarian IMMEDIATELY. This is a very serious and life-threatening condition.
Once your vet has ruled out any medical causes, let’s take a look around your home and around your cat’s daily environment to determine what the other reasons may be.
- Litter Box Cleanliness
Be sure to keep your cat's litter box sparkling clean.Your cat has a natural sense of cleanliness and order, and is upset by a dirty litter box.If the box seems dirty and/or smelly to you, it is even more so to your cat, because a cat’s sense of smell is approximately 40 times stronger than a human’s.Imagine how an unclean litter box smells to him!
There are also other instinctual reasons why a cat may avoid a dirty box.In nature, a predator would find a cat through its sense of smell.Outdoor cats thoroughly cover up their waste after elimination so that any predators in the area will not be able to find them.Even a domestic indoor cat will have their sense of security disrupted if the smell of their own waste is in the air. This may drive your cat to find new places to pee and poop, so that he feels less vulnerable.
Be sure that you clean the litter box at least once a day.Wash the box with mild soap and water when needed, but don’t use strong smelling soaps or cleaners, as these will also irritate your cat’s sense of smell.If your cat is still not using the litter box regularly you may need to do more frequent cleanings, at least until the problem has been resolved.
- Type of Litter Box
The actual box that you use can also matter to your cat.If she doesn’t like the size or shape of her box she may refuse to use it.Many cats dislike litter boxes with covers, because they can trap any smells inside the box.Or the cat may feel trapped himself!If your cat is overweight or especially large, the opening may be too small for him to use, or the inside of the covered box may be too small for him to move around in.
If your cat is older or arthritic, or if you have a very small cat or kitten, you should check the height of the entrance to the box.If it is too high and your cat has difficulty getting in and out, this could be another reason for avoidance.Be sure the box is easy for your cat to access.You can install a ramp to the entrance if needed.
Other cats might not like boxes with liners.You should take off the liner if you observe your cat scratching it or trying to pull it off.Giving your cat a choice about the type of box he uses may help the problem.Try using different styles until you find one she likes and will use.
- Type of Litter
Many cats show a preference for a particular type of litter.If he has stopped using the little box after you changed the litter you use, your cat is telling you that he liked the old one better.Try changing back to your previous brand, it may be just that simple!
Every type of litter feels different, and some are more pleasant to your cat’s paws.Some litters are sandy, some gravelly, some are more like dirt, and others like shredded paper.What appeals to one cat may not always appeal to another.Something else to consider is that most cats dislike the smell of scented litter.Although this may be a nice thing for humans, to mask the smell of the cat’s waste, this goes back to the cat’s strong sense of smell, and the fact that the perfume in scented litter smells extremely strong to him.
Since cats evolved from desert animals, the texture of sand is usually acceptable.However, each cat is unique, and you may need to try different types to find one that your furry friend will use.You can try putting several different types of litter in individual boxes to see which one he uses.And if you have a need to change to a new type of litter, do it gradually over time so that your cat can get accustomed to the new smell and texture.
- Location of Litter Box
The location of your cat’s litter box is very important to her.She needs first to know where the box is, and also to feel good about the spot.If you have a new cat, or if you have moved the litter box, show your cat where the box is (she will remember!)
Be sure to put your cat’s litter box in an area that is quiet and private, and where she will feel comfortable and safe.Also be sure that it is in a place that is convenient, both for your cat’s use and for cleaning.A spare room that is not frequently used can be ideal.You might also consider putting the box in a closet or porch that is easily accessible. Be sure there is nothing difficult or stressful for your cat about getting to the box (noise, closed doors, etc.) or she may refuse to keep trying.It may take trying a few different spots before you find one that is acceptable to your cat.
Your cat will dislike have her box too close to her food and water.Cats don’t like to “do their business” near the same area where they eat.If this is the case, try moving either the box or the food to another location.
-Multiple Cats
Cats are very territorial by nature, and they often dislike sharing their private space, especially with another cat!If you have more than one cat in your family, arguments may arise over the litter box, particularly if the cats must share it.In an ideal situation you would have separate litter boxes for each cat, plus one more just for good measure.If you have one cat that is the “dominant” one, he may leave his own feces uncovered as a way of marking his territory and discouraging other cats from using the box.Your other cat or cats may then feel they should not use the same box.
Do your best to provide separate, personal space for each cat in your household.Along with separate litter boxes, it is best if each cat can claim a little of their own territory.This might be cat trees or window perches, or even as simple as cardboard boxes that each cat can call their own.This way, he or she has a place where they can feel secure, and where they can go to get away from the other cats.
- Too Much Change
Sometimes a change in your household can encourage a cat to avoid the litter box.This could be anything from a move, to a new family member, whether it’s a new pet or a new baby.Moving, remodeling the house, or even moving the box to a new location could be especially disruptive to your cat’s sense of daily routine.
If changes like this are happening in your home, make sure that you give your cat lots of love, affection, and treats.This will remind him that he is still safe and secure, and he will be able to adjust to the changes more easily.Keep the litter box particularly clean during this time, and do what you can to minimize the change and disruption for your cat.
Once you have identified the cause or causes that lead your cataway from using the litter box,make sure that you apply these techniques consistently for best result.And always remember to praise your cat each time she does the right thing!
I learned these tips and many others from Mary Matthews' book "Ultimate Cat Secrets". If you would like to enjoy a loving relationship with a perfectly well behaved cat, this is well worth a read!
