Kitten Training Tips
Kittens may be cute, but neglect their training and these lovable young creatures can grow into adult menaces, capable of shredding furniture, stealing food from counters and spraying all over your home. The good news is that cats are highly intelligent creatures, and more than capable of being taught right from wrong. Here are some top tips for training your kitten:
• Kittens are energetic souls who love to play. Spending some time playing with your kitten will not only help you to bond with your new pet, but will also tire them out and make them less likely to get into trouble when left on their own.
• Spend time making sure your kitten understands where they are to go to the toilet. Keep their litter tray in a place that is easy for them to access. If your kitten is quite small, you may want to get a litter tray that has one low side to let them climb in and out with ease. Kittens will need to use the litter tray shortly after eating and drinking, as well as after waking up after a nap. At these times, move them near the litter tray. Most kittens will need little prompting beyond this, as the litter tray is a natural type of environment for them to use as a toilet area.
• Do not leave your kitten unattended for long periods of time, as most will find some kind of trouble to get into! From knocking things over, to chewing or tearing up an item of clothing, kittens' natural curiosity will lead them to explore with paws, tail, teeth and claws and you should have a stock of toys handy to hold their attention. You will also want to make sure they don't chew on electric cables, or play with delicate ornaments that could break and cut their paws or mouth.
• Although they may not use it straight away, introduce your kitten to a scratching post early o so that they can become familiar with it, and understand that this is one item of furniture that is OK to sharpen their claws on!
• As well as providing positive outlets for your kitten's natural behaviour, a spray bottle can prove a handy tool to quickly and effectively discourage any unwanted behaviour tell your cat "No!" in a firm voice, and spray a small amount of water in their direction. Kitty will quickly stop what he is doing, and it won't take long for him to avoid the behaviour.
• Jumping and climbing on taboo surfaces is another bad habit that you will want to discourage in your kitten. Minimize temptation by keeping surfaces clean and clear of clutter, especially food! Once your cat has learnt they can find scraps on plates in the sink, or pots on the cooker, it can be hard to convince them not to jump up to try their luck.
Above all, be patient and persistent when training your kitten and you will be rewarded with a happy and obedient cat.
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