If you are looking for tips on how to get the best out of your children and pet cats, read this article in full.
Growing up with cats can be very beneficial for your children. A real life experience of learning to respect animals and the importance of love and affection. Purchasing a cat as a gift can really make your child happy. If you do decide to give them a cat, you are introducing something magical with memories they will cherish for years, if not for their entire lives.
The Benefits of having a Cat
Cats are very popular world wide mainly for the benefits they can give to their adopted human families. There are many benefits cats can provide to people, it would be particularly beneficial to your child if you teach them the proper way to care for a pet from the very beginning.
The Role You Play
Demonstrate to your child the proper way to handle cats. Kids can be very excitable and may not be able to handle the cat comfortably. Your primary role in this is to teach them the proper way of caring for the cat. With this in mind, you would not only teach him or her about concern for animals but much more and beyond.
Guide them gently, especially if it’s your child’s first time to have a pet. Explain to your child why a new pet behaves the way they do so that he or she will understand.
Tell your child some facts about cats. In this way you can make your child understand the important characteristics of cats, this knowledge will enhance their ability to properly care for their pets both now and in the future.
No Rough Play
Do not encourage rough play with the cat. This would only be inviting risk of injury to both parties. The Cat may find this action hostile and may defend itself using its paws or teeth that will in all possibility hurt your child. Cat toys are a better and safer alternative to playing rough with your cat.
Cats Need Sleep
Make certain your child understands the importance of resting and how he could help in allowing their pet to sleep undisturbed.
Remind your child about the importance of not letting the cats remain inside your home 24 hours a day. To keep their pets safe, it is essential your child understands how to protect the cat from any dangerous household incidents that may arise.
All the above are important points to remember in relation to building and maintaining a healthy relationship between your children and the family cat.
P.S. If you need help, most if not all of the required knowledge can be obtained free right here on this website. We also provide over 300 cat training videos for your enjoyment.
Perhaps you imagined yourself as a sleek young woman like Selena Kyle. But is a cat the right pet for you? To decide, you must have an idea what to expect from a cat. You must be familiar about the temperament of cats.
First of all, a domestic cat is a highly intelligent and fiercely independent creature. It can never be placed on a leash the way dogs are. Cats do things they want to do and when they want to do it. They will demand the things they want, such as food and play. And they will also make it clear when they want to be left alone. Thus, the owner of a cat cannot expect his pet to do “work” for him.
Different breeds of cats have different personalities. Some cats are quiet while others like to meow all the time. Can you tolerate a cat who meows almost every hour? Some cats are fussy and choosy about the food you give them while others will eat just about anything. Can you afford the kind of food that your cat prefers? Some cats don’t mind being surrounded and petted by strange people while others will wield their claws if they face a person they haven’t met before. Does your house accept many strangers or are you alone most of the time? And some cats love to climb and curl on the lap of their masters. But others prefer to be left alone, watching TV or listening to the radio. Are you a cat owner who likes to cuddle all the time?
You will know when your cat is trying to get your attention. It will endlessly meow at you or it will follow you around or it will rub its body against your leg. You will also know if your cat is comfortable or scared by lifting up your cat. If the body is loose, then your cat is relaxed. If the body is tight, then something is scaring the daylights out of it.
Cats like to sleep. And the specific personality and breed of the cat will determine where the cat chooses to sleep. Some like to be in secluded places where no one can disturb them. They like to lie in high cupboards and similar places. Other breeds of cats like to sleep in places where everyone is converging. These cats like to be noticed. So they sleep at the center of the foyer, in the middle of the stairs and even on the couch, especially when there are guests.
Cats like to sharpen their claws. It is their nature, similar to wild cats such as lions, tigers, panthers, and cheetahs. This may irritate the owner, especially if the cat chooses to sharpen its claws on the couch. The owner may consider giving the cat a scratching post. The cat can be taught to scratch its claws on this post.
It’s natural for cats to scratch but often it destroys your good furniture. Thankfully there are some things that you can do to relieve the problem.
Many people watch in sadness as their cat destroys virtually everything that he can get his claws into. You can improve this behavior. To do so, you need to know why he is doing what he is doing.
Why Scratching?
Cats were hunters. They needed those sharp claws to help them to climb trees and to leap down on their prey. Although your cat is not likely to be pouncing on their dinner anymore, they still instinctively need to sharpen their claws and that is exactly what they are doing on your furniture. The scratching that they do is a way of trimming their nails and it removes the old outer part of the claws. Another reason they are ruining your home is because they know it to be their territory. They release a scent from special glands in their paws which helps them mark the area as theirs. They also do it because they are working the kinks out of their body as well as burning some energy.
Before you head off to have him de clawed, you may want to try out some of the alternative methods of preventing the scratching.
Alternatives
One way is to provide them with scratching pads or posts. There are a wide variety of them available including those that are part of a cat condo. You can even make your own by using two foot high section of a four by four, two foot by two foot piece of heavy plywood and a carpet remnant. When you have one of these, take it and put it right next to his favorite piece of furniture to destroy. Then, gradually move it away from the furniture as he gets accustomed to it.
You can also use a pet repellant spray such as Bitter Apple on the furniture that the pet is clawing at. Take the time to test the spray on a non visible area of the furniture before using it though. Or if you do not want to spray the furniture, then cover the material with aluminum foil or tape that is placed sticky side up. The cat will not like the material and will turn to the scratching post instead.
The Last Resort
Some cats just can’t seem to stop. For these, de-clawing becomes the best option. If your cat stays indoors, you can have their claws removed. There are some risks involved and the procedure can be painful for him. Those who would like to avoid this like to use nail caps instead. These are applied as false nails would be to the cat’s nail.
If your cat is a scratcher, do what you can to stop him before you have him de-clawed. If this becomes the best option though, it may be better than having your furniture torn up!
I hope that some of these simple tips help you save your furniture from cat attack without stopping you cat from enjoying life.
Growing up with cats can be very beneficial for your children. A real life experience of learning to respect animals and the importance of love and affection. Purchasing a cat as a gift can really make your child happy. If you do decide to give them a cat, you are introducing something magical with memories they will cherish for years, if not for their entire lives.