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Cats - 7 Tips To Stop Disorderly Behavior Before You Both Need A Time-Out

When you feel like you're living with a deranged ball of fluff, there IS a problem. Usually cats are the easiest animals to share a home with, so behavior problems could be caused by stress, boredom, change or illness. Or even from a cat doing things that come naturally to him.

So before we can address and solve the cat behavior problem, we have to understand where the behavior is coming from. First, you want to make sure your cat doesn't have a medical problem. This is especially true if the pattern of bad behavior is sudden.

Illness in cats is often disguised by disorderly behavior. So make an appointment to see your vet. Once a medical problem is ruled out, you can begin plans on changing your kitty's bad actions.

Of course, it's much easier to prevent instead of correct. With a kitten, we can grow up together! But, if there's a problem with an older cat, it will be more difficult. But not impossible. The most important ingredient to bring to this issue is PATIENCE. This virtue cannot be stressed loudly enough. If you find yourself losing your temper, step back for a moment. Look into those sad eyes. Put yourself in their paw prints.

**Tips To Teach Your Cat Good Behavior**

1. As with children, stick to the rules! Be consistent. Don't go changing your behavior on them.

2. Don't get into situations you know will only promote bad behavior. At the moment, it might seem funny. But, not later on. For example, you may use your "hands as toys" with a kitten. Then, as an older cat, you get scratched while playing and blame them! What's that about?

3. Praise their good behavior. Yes, it's perfectly acceptable to talk "baby talk".

4. When kitty is being bad, rush in with a substitute. If the claws are out on the furniture, get them to the scratch post right away. If they are exploring to see if they have a "green thumb" while attacking a potted plant with gusto, calmly remove them and get a favorite toy in motion.

5. Do not play with aggression. If you do, an aggressive cat is what you'll get.

6. Noisy cats. If a cat yowls, guess what? We are the problem. I am so guilty of this. If we jump every time they holler, we've trained them that the squeaky wheel gets the grease. We think it's cute when they "talk" to get our attention. At first. But when we're busy and they keep yowling longer and louder until we give in to their demands, we've created a monster.

It sounds cruel and the cat is totally surprised by this, but give them a shot of air or spray of water. Then go about your business. You'll feel awful at first but the whining will eventually stop.

7. Never, never, ever hit these gentle creatures or physically hurt them. This is bad for both of you! Not to mention the karma bestowed on you from the feline spirit world!

Remember. We are asking a lot of our cats. Like changing their natural instincts and personalities to better accommodate us and our world. In turn, they deserve our love and respect.

(c) K. D. Cook

K. D. Cook is owned and loved by a beautiful 8 year-old domestic long-hair named Furby. K. D. is involved in continuing cat education per Furby's request.

Furby invites you to her very own blog at http://thegoodcat.blogspot.com to pussy-foot around with her.

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