behavior
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How to make your cat’s carrier a friend, not foe
Choosing the best kind of carrier for your catChoosing the right carrier is fundamental to your cat’s comfort and sense of security—so make sure that your carrier is sturdy, quiet and provides easy access to your cat. Top loading carriers are easiest to access for you and for your veterinary office staff. There are both “soft shell” and “hard shell” carriers available and your choice depends on your preferences. I prefer a hard plastic carrier that is easy to take apart and has a door on top that can be opened for easy access to your kitty, but also makes it a lot easier to place him in the carrier…
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How bad is it?
How bad is it to spray a cat with water when you’re training her? Cats don’t generally like getting wet and they are quite sensitive creatures. Surprise spritzes with water can really stress them out. Your best bet may be to provide a distraction and redirect your kitten’s attention to an approved activity. Some kittens may even think that a water spray is a game and continue the action that elicited the watery fun. So to prevent scratching on the sofa, place a scratching post or another scratching surface nearby to discourage destruction of your furniture piece. When you catch your furry friend clawing up the sofa, move her to…
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Socializing your new kitten
Of course, kittenhood is also a crucial time for socializing your cat. In order for him to grow into a well-balanced adult cat, he should be played with and comforted frequently. You should expose him to as many new sights, sounds, smells, and sensations as possible. Exposing your kitten to new people, animals, and experiences will help build a foundation for a lifetime of positive behavior. A kitten who hasn’t been properly socialized may develop fear aggression and avoid human contact. At this young age is the best time for him to get used to things such as wearing a collar, riding in a pet carrier, riding in a car,…
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Training Your Kitten
Training a kitten is usually about establishing and reinforcing boundaries and household rules. Using positive reinforcement to train your kitten is the best way to get your message across to your new feline companion. For every “no,” they need a “yes.” Avoid punishing or speaking harshly which will only scare your kitten. Never, ever hit or shake your kitten. Instead, ignore your kitten when she’s behaving badly and give her affection, treats and praise to reward her good behavior. If ignoring isn’t an option, redirect your kitten’s attention to something else. For example, if your kitten bites or scratches your hand, give her a toy to play with instead. If…
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My Furbabies – Logan
After having only one cat for a while and having 3 children, I finally worked myself up to adopting another dog. It just had to be the prefect one that needed a home, so it took a while for such a canine creature to fall into my lap. Logan, then Bella, was dropped off at my clinic by a gentleman who had purchased her from out of state. Bella’s owner’s spouse did not appreciate a new dog in her household, so he decided to give her up. Since we had many owners and lovers of the pitbull dog breed among our staff at that time, they promised to find her…
