When you are trying to train a kitten from being a lap cat to a well behaved adult cat, there are some things you should do and not do. There are things you should never give your kitten, and there are things you should do constantly. If you don’t train your kitten from being a lap cat to an independent, responsible little feline, the chances are that your kitty will grow up with behavioral problems. A lap cat is often a low-caste cat that has been treated like one throughout its life. You have to train a kitten from being a lap cat to a well behaved, responsible young cat.
When we use the word ‘kitten’ we imply that the cat must be born with these characteristics, but this is definitely not the case. If you do not wish to take the time to train a kitten from being a lap cat, be certain you do it correct in the beginning. Once a cat learns that it will only be fed when it has its food bowl emptied, it will never happen to the kitten again to begin pawing at the bowl to get an empty spot. Always stay on top of your kitten’s behavior.
One thing that many people don’t realize when they are teaching their kittens is that they must be using cat litter boxes. Many owners assume that any litter box will work. They can be very wrong. A cat litter box is only good for one thing. If you catch your kitten going into the bathroom in its own waste, don’t feel bad about disciplining it because it is hurting itself. If you catch your cat going into its cat litter box, be certain that you catch it right away because it may not understand why it feels uncomfortable.
Training a kitten also means that you need to teach it how to recognize when it is done right and when it is doing something wrong. Kittens have hearing abilities so when it learns that you mean business, they will quickly figure out what you are saying. It is important to use a clicker to reinforce positive behavior, just like you would use a treat. You simply use the clicker as soon as the cat gets it wrong.
Catnip scented catnip scratching posts are another great way to train your kitten. These scratching posts come in a variety of heights and diameters and are made of various materials. The thicker material is better for your kitten’s nails. Most cats can start using their scratching posts almost immediately and it will help them develop good habits early.
When you are looking for ways to train your kitten, using treats as a reward is highly recommended. You should also give it lots of praise, so it knows what is expected. Once you have your kitten’s litter box and it has gotten use to being in the litter box, you may want to begin moving it to a bigger location in your home where it is free to run around. Cats need to know where they’re supposed to scratch and what they can expect from you when they do this.