How to train a kitten

[Rabidelly]

Too lazy to read the entire thread BUT! As an alternative to declawing your kitten:

http://www.softpaws.com/?gclid=CN6B_...FQTe4AodFG6LhQ

My cat was AWFUL about scratching when we got her. The smelly spray didn't work, water bottle didn't, and neither did the double-sided tape. I really didn't want to pay for an operation and I felt that overall it just wasn't what I wanted for her. I found these claw covers from Soft Paws and they're AWESOME. Easy to put on, non-toxic, and they last for quite a while. Eventually they do fall off but they're bright and easy to spot and throw away. Honestly, my cat doesn't even give a damn that she has them or even notice them. Only thing she doesn't like is when we put them on her, but that's a pretty quick process too.

So yeah, for about $20 you get a solution that doesn't involve declawing your cat and lasts for quite a long time (we still have our first pack from ages ago, but we don't "have" to put them on all the time now since kitty doesn't scratch anymore). Also, having colorful nails on your cat is pretty darn cute.

[Amelya]

Slight hijack while we're talking about cats. Whats a good cat to get if I like smaller ones?

Go to the shelter and pick out a small adult IMO. I had two purebred cats when I was a kid, and I don't know if it was just the breed or what, but they both had so many damn health problems and litter box issues. Plus I mean...it's a cat. It's not like a purebred dog where it might grow to 5 lbs. or 150 lbs. depending on breed.

On the subject of declawing and "my personal story = fact", my parents had one cat declawed and its paws would randomly start bleeding all over the floor even weeks after the surgery. It was seriously awful and was obviously painful for the cat.

[Ksandra]

On the topic of this. How would you train 3 year old cats to get along with my year and a half dog. My brow fiance moved in with her cats. She wont allow them to interact at all. I put my dog in his cage so they can stare at each other but she'll just put them in the room. How do I convince her to let them interact? My dog is completly harmless.

oddly enough...you guys are kinda doing exactly what you're supposed to do LOL. Ie. you're supposed to let them see and get to know each other in a way they feel safe, so it's actually good what you guys did. Next step you can do is let the cats and dog each sleep on something small (towel, old t-shirt). once you feel like the three things have enough fur/smell on them switch them. Both animals learn a lot from the smell. Next would be yes, to let them actually sniff each other. Cats are hard, but the big thing is to train the dog to not jump on them as he may want to do (even for play). Always give the cats a "safe place" they can go to if the dog is scaring them/pissing them off. (one of those tall play/scratching post setups are great) Over time though the cats will adjust and either fall in love with the dog, or just ignore him once they realize his isn't a threat.

A trick I learned on It's Me or The Dog btw is the command "don't touch". Get two balls (preferably one the dog already has and <3s, and one he's never gotten to play with before). Roll the ball he's never touched infront of him saying the phrase "don't touch". do it quickly and if he doesn't touch it, let him get the other ball for play for a little bit. Over time, extend the amount of "don't touch" time before he gets the reward of the other ball. DON'T EVER EVER EVER let him play with the don't touch ball.

This way if the cats are bothered and if he goes towards him, if you say "don't touch" he'll leave them alone.

Too lazy to read the entire thread BUT! As an alternative to declawing your kitten:

http://www.softpaws.com/?gclid=CN6B_...FQTe4AodFG6LhQ

My cat was AWFUL about scratching when we got her. The smelly spray didn't work, water bottle didn't, and neither did the double-sided tape. I really didn't want to pay for an operation and I felt that overall it just wasn't what I wanted for her. I found these claw covers from Soft Paws and they're AWESOME. Easy to put on, non-toxic, and they last for quite a while. Eventually they do fall off but they're bright and easy to spot and throw away. Honestly, my cat doesn't even give a damn that she has them or even notice them. Only thing she doesn't like is when we put them on her, but that's a pretty quick process too.

So yeah, for about $20 you get a solution that doesn't involve declawing your cat and lasts for quite a long time (we still have our first pack from ages ago, but we don't "have" to put them on all the time now since kitty doesn't scratch anymore). Also, having colorful nails on your cat is pretty darn cute.

You know, I saw these once before, but never tried them. Up until recently, all my cats have been indoor/outdoor, so trimming nails was only a once in awhile necessity (trees are great scratching posts!) But atm my cats have to be indoors at my apt. one (the tortie) is awesome, and is great about getting her nail trimmed, and even learned fast how to go outside on a leash, so no problems there. My other cat is extremely skittish. She doesn't want to learn the leash, and hates getting trimmed.

I think I may get around to trying these on her to reduce some of her stress lol.

[volcanicweather]

Too lazy to read the entire thread BUT! As an alternative to declawing your kitten:

http://www.softpaws.com/?gclid=CN6B_...FQTe4AodFG6LhQ

My cat was AWFUL about scratching when we got her. The smelly spray didn't work, water bottle didn't, and neither did the double-sided tape. I really didn't want to pay for an operation and I felt that overall it just wasn't what I wanted for her. I found these claw covers from Soft Paws and they're AWESOME. Easy to put on, non-toxic, and they last for quite a while. Eventually they do fall off but they're bright and easy to spot and throw away. Honestly, my cat doesn't even give a damn that she has them or even notice them. Only thing she doesn't like is when we put them on her, but that's a pretty quick process too.

So yeah, for about $20 you get a solution that doesn't involve declawing your cat and lasts for quite a long time (we still have our first pack from ages ago, but we don't "have" to put them on all the time now since kitty doesn't scratch anymore). Also, having colorful nails on your cat is pretty darn cute.

Thes looks awesome, thanks for sharing. Might have to try these out on my cat as it can be a pain to clip her nails sometimes and she's become pretty adept to my solid snake tactics.

[Tweek]

http://danneedham.net/images/kitten-mittens.gif

[notorious bum]

I love the kitties, but they are some stubborn creatures, even when they are trained. I've never owned one, but I could never think of declawing a puppy when they are in that bite/scratch phase.

[ZarakiKujata]

http://danneedham.net/images/kitten-mittens.gif

This was my first thought too...

[Guyverarmor]

What the fuck am I reading in this thread.

If you're going to be a responsible pet owner, you train your pet. Get some catnip spray (or buy some catnip itself and infuse it with water in a small spray bottle). Buy a scratching post. Spray said water concoction on the scratching post. Also spray this concoction on its toys and other things you prefer it to be playing with than your funriture or good floors. Catnip makes cats feel a kind of excited euphoria - once the cat understands that playing or scratching these objects makes them feel good, they'll gravitate more toward these objects than whatever you don't want them to fuck with.

Don't declaw the fucking cat. If that cat ever gets outside and she doesn't have her claws at all, you can count her fucking dead. Like Ksandra said, buy some nail clippers, educate yourself on the vein, trim your cat's nails regularly. This goes along with training the animal - sure cats don't generally like their nails trimmed, but regular trimming, especially on a consistent schedule, will make the cat less resistant to getting its nails trimmed. If you're going to get it declawed because you're a lazy ass who does not want to do this, why do you have a cat in the first place?

Also, kittens bite. They are playing with you. Do you have some problems with the way kittens play? Deal with it. If you attempt to punish your animal because its trying to play with or be close to you, it will end up becoming an anti-social animal because it will soon learn that interaction with you = punishment.

I agree with this 100% If you are going to declaw, do not get a damn cat. You give them a death sentance if they get out outside and run. They do sell nail "caps" that stay on for about 6 weeks. Cost me 10$ for 3 applications for each paw.. that's almost half a year. Do some research before saying "declaw" time. -_-

[Odesseiron]

While ripping the cats claws out, you might as well get the teeth ripped out since the biting is annoying you.

Yeesh. A scratch post with some catnip is sufficient enough. They'll learn to scratch only that. Personally I don't own any cats, but know people that do, and none of them have or would ever de-claw them. it's pretty cruel to the animal. I'm no PETA advocate, but imagine someone ripped out your nails permanently. Sounds like a cat isn't the best choice for you. As far as the water thing goes, I would agree with that, but that's about it.

[wyrmtung]

The kitten is biting and chewing because it is teething. A cat goes through its teething stage in like the first six months of its life. Buy it some toys to chew on.

And don't declaw it and make it defenseless. Pretty sad to see a cat unable to defend itself. (This coming from a dog guy.)

[Ratatapa]

Like I said I got 3 choices

1) declaw it

2) not declaw and get expelled for not following the rules of the building

3 ) not declaw and go in court for not following the rules.


And I'm not exaggerating guy from same block just lost in court and had to pay 2000$ for not respecting the block rules

So I will pay the 300 and get it declaw.


Anyway the question was about training it not if it's immoral to get it declaw,

Thanks subject close


Sent from my iPad2 using Tapatalk

[Qalbert]

No just don't get a fucking cat, you dumb prick. If the only way to have a cat is to fucking maim it, don't get one."Subject close."

[Ratatapa]

I have a cat because I want an animal, can't get a dog

Happy now?

[Qalbert]

No, you're further proving the point that your selfish ignorance is driving you to make a pet suffer just so you can feel happy. If you can't have a pet without essentially abusing it, then you have no business having said pet. "Subject close."

[Olo401]

i was sitting watching tv and my cat jumped up on my lap. i was wearing running pants, so when i shifted a bit she started to slide around. i suppose instinctively she dug her claws into my thigh. reflexively, i swatted her off my lap and she flew into the wall.

the next day i found shit in my laundry pile.




she was black with white spots, so i named her moo.








so... ya... don't swat your cat into a wall.





















i miss my cat.

Knowing you I would've thought it'd end up in a frypan rather than the wall.. :3

[Dantrag]

What the fuck "block" rules?

[Ratatapa]

The appartement rule is no Animals allowed

Exept a cat if it's sterilized and declawed

My landlord knows it's not declaw because the kitten is too young. So he gave me until July to declaw it or gtfo

[Qalbert]

well you should give it to someone who actually wants a fucking cat, instead of maiming it.

[Ocara]

Do they come into your house and check your cat's claws or what?

[Ratatapa]

Ya with the bill to prove that I declaw it and not just cut his nails

I have to print a copy for when I sign my next 'Contract'