Can You Live Peacefully With Your Cat?

by Susan Nelson Hopkins

If you are at your wit's end trying to train your cat, give up! That's right, she's won the battle... but not the war.

Enter negotiations for a peaceful settlement, and try for some concessions from both of you. A little give-and-take works wonders.

1. Petting Your Cat...

Evidently, mere humans don't know when to stop petting! Granted, her feline majesty initiates it and thoroughly enjoys the attention and sensation. The problem is we don't recognize when she has had enough.

• She may nip at you
• She may "extend" a claw or three right into your hand or your lap
• She may vocalize in no uncertain terms that enough is enough

Once she learns that you will respect her wishes, she'll relax and the two of you can enjoy each other's company.

2. Your Cat Stalks You And Then Pounces...

And nips and scratches you! While this is not acceptable behavior, it is a completely natural instinct for her.

Most cats will eventually grow out of it as they mature, but meanwhile your ankles will suffer unless you intervene. The goal isn't to stop the stalking and pouncing... it's too hard to change Mother Nature.

Instead, re-direct her to a toy. If you notice that she favors a specific location for stalking, keep one of her favorite toys handy so you can distract her. Make sure she also has toys to enjoy when you're not at home.

You'll get the hang of it... and so will she. In fact, she'll probably enjoy playing with you and her toy more than stalking you.

3. Your cat digs in your garden or houseplants...

Digging is another natural instinct for your cat. It's usually associated with bodily elimination, but she can also just enjoy the sensation of digging in dirt.

But it's destructive behavior when it harms your garden or houseplants. Because it's instinctive to her, she can't quit... but you can thwart her. Bury citrus rinds in your potted plants and wherever she digs in your garden. Cats can't stand the smell of any citrus... lemons, limes, oranges, or grapefruits.

As long as you provide her with a clean litter box, she'll focus her digging there.

4. Your cat scratches furniture...

Scratching is healthy for your cat, it removes dead claw cells. Unfortunately, it's also how she instinctively marks her territory... it's a security thing.

Apply citrus spray to the furniture. Some folks have even temporarily applied citrus rinds to the areas prone to scratching.

Make sure to provide her with scratching posts. You may have to place the posts near her old scratching places, to help her get the message. Then you can gradually move the posts to a more suitable location.

(For more tips on preserving your possessions, see Has Anyone Ever Really Trained a Cat?)

Be aware that there are advocates of surgically de-clawing indoor cats. Granted, your cat will never scratch furniture... or you... and if a baby or young child is in the picture... you may be tempted.

But this will remove her only means of defense and escape! What if she gets outside? What if a dog or another cat comes inside and chases her or tries to harm her? Another thing... cats who are de-clawed can become neurotic and resort to biting.

5. Your cat constantly meows (even howls)...

This becomes a problem if you don't listen to them, because they're trying to communicate. Obviously, it's falling on deaf ears because you either try to shush her or you stick your fingers in your ears. Any boy oh boy does that make her angry!

Since nobody has invented a feline translator, it will take a little trial and error to figure out what she wants...

• Is she hungry? If her food dish is empty, or the food is stale (to her point of view), give her some more. Just a little bit is often enough to satisfy her hunger pangs.
• Is she thirsty? Empty her water dish and fill it up. Make sure she sees you do this... often the fact that you did something just for her will quiet her down.
• Is she bored? Some species require more attention than others, or you may have a cat with a "needy" personality. Offer her some attention... pet her softly, give her a toy, play with her.

Most cats can sense when a storm is close, and this can trigger a meowing fit. If this is the case, she may just want to be close you you for reassurance.

A little give-and-take guarantees peace on the home front for you and your cat. She may win a lot of the battles... but you will win the war!

This started as a blog for our family cat, Venus... but she quickly became bored with the whole thing. So now, we're writing it from our point of view... as family cat owners. (Of course, Venus firmly believes that SHE rules the roost... but, don't all cats?)

Everyone in most every family has a million things to do - every day.

Does anyone have a secret for making sure the family cat gets fed on a regular schedule? And, by whom?

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