If you've ever owned both a cat and a dog, you are probably aware that the ease of training a cat differs a great deal from training a dog.
If you want to train your cat to use the litter box or a scratching post, then you have a fairly good chance of succeeding.
Training a cat to use a human toilet or to sit simply are not very realistic goals to have, so it's best to understand your cat's limitations and stick within them.
It's important that you understand the difference between a cat's psychological attitude and a dog's.
Dogs are happy if they do something that pleases their owner.
They are family-oriented and love to be included.
Cat's are quite the opposite in that they usually won't do anything that doesn't bring them personal satisfaction.
They usually pick one "master" and aren't too concerned whether they please anyone but themselves.
You have to learn to play this attitude to benefit your training.
When training your cat to use the litter box, you have to make it an experience that he enjoys, or he won't be keen on doing it again.
First, go to great lengths to show him that the litter box is where he should go.
You can do this by leaving traces of his soiled litter in there so he will associate it as a place he has used before.
It is still important to clean the litter box regularly, but a few bits of soiled litter are okay until he gets the hang of using his box.
Keep an eye on your cat and praise him when he uses the litter box.
Cats usually respond better to physical praise rather than verbal, but a sweet "good boy!" and a nice stroke down his back will help to show him that there "something in it for him" when he uses the litter box.
Some pet stairs have hollow areas meant to store your litter box.
This helps to keep your little box smell contained as well as to give your cat a quiet place to do his business.
If your cat is comfortable in the space his litter box is placed, he will be more likely to use it.
If your concern is your cat's habit of using your furniture or carpet as a scratching post, then pay attention! All cats have the impulse to scratch; it's a form of exercise, helps to keep their claws in shape, and is a simple way of marking the things they like.
There is an array of cat scratching posts available for you to choose from, but your cat's personal preference may require you to go through a few before you find one that he likes.
If your scratching post doesn't already have catnip in or on it, try sprinkling or rubbing some along the post.
This encourages playful behaviour in cats, so you might even consider attaching one of his favourite toys to the post.
Also, consider the position of the post.
If your cat spends a great deal of his time in your living room, place the post there where he is most likely to see and use it.
If you want to train your cat to use the litter box or a scratching post, then you have a fairly good chance of succeeding.
Training a cat to use a human toilet or to sit simply are not very realistic goals to have, so it's best to understand your cat's limitations and stick within them.
It's important that you understand the difference between a cat's psychological attitude and a dog's.
Dogs are happy if they do something that pleases their owner.
They are family-oriented and love to be included.
Cat's are quite the opposite in that they usually won't do anything that doesn't bring them personal satisfaction.
They usually pick one "master" and aren't too concerned whether they please anyone but themselves.
You have to learn to play this attitude to benefit your training.
When training your cat to use the litter box, you have to make it an experience that he enjoys, or he won't be keen on doing it again.
First, go to great lengths to show him that the litter box is where he should go.
You can do this by leaving traces of his soiled litter in there so he will associate it as a place he has used before.
It is still important to clean the litter box regularly, but a few bits of soiled litter are okay until he gets the hang of using his box.
Keep an eye on your cat and praise him when he uses the litter box.
Cats usually respond better to physical praise rather than verbal, but a sweet "good boy!" and a nice stroke down his back will help to show him that there "something in it for him" when he uses the litter box.
Some pet stairs have hollow areas meant to store your litter box.
This helps to keep your little box smell contained as well as to give your cat a quiet place to do his business.
If your cat is comfortable in the space his litter box is placed, he will be more likely to use it.
If your concern is your cat's habit of using your furniture or carpet as a scratching post, then pay attention! All cats have the impulse to scratch; it's a form of exercise, helps to keep their claws in shape, and is a simple way of marking the things they like.
There is an array of cat scratching posts available for you to choose from, but your cat's personal preference may require you to go through a few before you find one that he likes.
If your scratching post doesn't already have catnip in or on it, try sprinkling or rubbing some along the post.
This encourages playful behaviour in cats, so you might even consider attaching one of his favourite toys to the post.
Also, consider the position of the post.
If your cat spends a great deal of his time in your living room, place the post there where he is most likely to see and use it.