Are There Details I Should Consider When Packing
Gather together your cats medical documents including vaccination certificates, recent lab-work, her rabies vaccination tag, as well as any medications she takes. Take along her regular food. Consider packaging her meals in individual containers for ease of feeding. using her own familiar food and water dishes will contribute to her comfortbe sure they are unbreakable. Also, take along some water from home. Sometimes water in different parts of the country has a different mineral content and may contribute to stomach upset or loose stool.
Take along a small supply of the litter she is used to. You may want to use a plastic dish pan as your travel litter box. Do not forget a litter scoop and some plastic bags for litter disposal both on the way and during your stay with relatives.
“Be sure to have your cat wear identification during travel.”
Be sure to have your cat wear identification during travel and consider a microchip for permanent ID if she does not already have one. She should wear a well-fitted harness from which she cannot escape. Also, consider making a temporary ID tag with the address and phone number of the folks at your final destination – just in case!
Use Your Voice Carefully
You may have gotten an over-the-top positive reaction by doing a high-pitched squealing tone or talking in a baby voice to a dog but that doesnt fly with the felines. Keep your voice soft and reassuring. Cats dont react well to loud sounds so your tone of voice should be similar to what you would use to calm a nervous child.
Give Your Cat Stimulation
Just like you go to the gym to help burn off stress, some cats need stimulation. If you own an adventurous outdoor cat, play with him outside to help get his energy out. Outdoor play should be done in an enclosed area, such as a catio, or on a cat leash and harness. If youre the proud owner of an indoor cat, Wilbourn suggests placing a step stool near a window so he can look outside.
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Is Your Cat Actually Hungry
This might seem like an obvious question but bear with me.
You might think that your cat doesn’t eat very much, but actually, our cats aren’t very big and the food that we give them can actually be really energy dense. Especially if you’re feeding a dry food.
It may not look like much that they’re eating, but it’s actually more than they need or more than enough to satisfy their energy requirements.
There’s a massive obesity epidemic at the moment and it’s actually more often the owners of overweight cats who say to me that they are worried that their cat isn’t eating enough!
As a general rule, if your cat is eating every day, if they’re not losing weight, if they are otherwise bright, happy and behaving normally, then more than likely there’s no problem at all. They will be eating all that they need to and arent really being picky, theyre just not really hungry!
Let The Cat Approach You
Cats can be irresistibly adorable. But as much as you may want to greet Snowball with a big ol hug, dont. This is a common mistake for people who love cats, Krieger says. Theyll go up to the cat and corner the cat, try to pet the cat, and try to win over the cat. In this situation, she explains, your advances will either be ignored or cause the cat to bolt.
Instead of making a beeline for the cat, encourage the feline to come towards you, says Krieger. Crouch down or sit, and then extend your index finger towards the cat, she explains.
The next thing to do, Koski adds, is to let the cat sniff you. Either lay your hand on the floor, outstretched so that she doesnt have to come too close, she suggests. From there, you can begin to pet or scratch the cats head but take it slow. Make friends at the pace of the cat, Koski says, if she walks away, let her go. The key is to let the cat set the tone of the interaction, and to give her space to relax.
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Feed Multiple Small Meals
This goes hand in hand with my question of whether your cat is actually hungry or not. Dont feed ad-lib, with food always available. Instead, feed regular small meals.
This way, your cat is more likely to be hungry when the food goes down, and they are more likely to happily eat whatever they are offered.
Do You Know How To Pet Your Cat
We should also point out that you shouldnt pet a cat like you would a dog. You probably already know this.
Cats are purr-ticular about where and how they like to be touched, says Dr. Marty Becker, DVM. Scratch them between the ears or beneath the chin, rub that sweet spot between the eyes or stroke them along the spine.
If your cat starts bumping their head against you, thats a great sign.
But, Dr. Becker adds, avoid the belly and the base of the tail. Many cats feel vulnerable when their tummy is at risk, even if youre not a threat to them.
Johnson-Bennett agrees: No belly rubs for the cat, please, or else youll trigger a defensive response.
The video below offers some interest cat hacks from Lifehacker on getting a cat to like you more:
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How To Train A Cat To: Use A Toilet
Training a cat to use the toilet definitely takes some work, but think of the benefits: Youll save on litter and enjoy a cleaner home. First, place a litter box adjacent to your toilet. Then gradually bring it closer and closer to the top of seatyou might need a stool to make the process easier on the cat. Once your pet is accustomed to using a litter box on top of the toilet, transition to a special litter box that fits within the toilet itself. Gradually use less and less litter to get your cat accustomed to doing its business without it, and then, remove the litter box entirely. If you hate cleaning up cat poo, try one of these self-cleaning litter boxes that will clean the mess up for you.
Tip #: Scratch The Right Spots
When a cat welcomes attention, stick to petting where its most likely to make a kitty feel good. The best area to pet is from the top of the head to the shoulders, where kitties normally groom each other. Some cats also like to be petted on the back. But if you see the cats tail start to thrash, its a warning that the cat is tolerating it, but not loving it, Radosta explains. And dont even think about belly rubsvery few cats like to be touched there.
With a little practice, youll have no problem picking up kitty cues. Your patience and loving respect of cat boundaries is sure to earn you a kittys seal of approval.
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How To Lure A Kitten Out Of Hiding
Kittens may seem easy to lure out of hiding, but the opposite is true. In the wild, kittens know to stay tucked away in the hiding spot their mother provided. If this spot doesnt exist or cant be found in your home, any hiding spot will do. They will steadfastly remain there until the coast is clear or theyre forced out.
Kittens hide for comfort and security. Providing several hiding places indoors can help the little ones avoid hiding somewhere dangerous or inconvenient. If the kitten is already outside, though, you can tempt it out by:
- Calming its environment, such as by removing loud noises or sudden lights
- Offering strong-smelling food, especially in a trail leading out of its hiding spot
- Creating a new, safe hiding spot outside of its existing one
In the latter case, this may include placing a cozy box up against the bush where its hiding, with food and water inside. The kitten will eventually move into this new space, where you can grab it.
Why Do Cats Run Away
Whether they are indoor or outdoor cats, our feline companions sometimes stray. There are many reasons why cats run away, but here are some common ones:
- A female cat in heat or an unneutered male cat have a strong mating drive, which may cause them to roam in search of love
- Cats are curious beings who love to hunt and explore their territory
- Of course, it could just be that theres a friendly neighbor feeding them
Whatever the reason, its quite common for cats to run away. So if you find yourself wondering where your missing cat is, you are not alone!
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What Can You Do To Train Your Cat To Behave Better Around The Home
Jackson Galaxya cat behaviorist with more than 20 years of experience, and the host of Animal Planets hit show My Cat From Hellexplains in his entertaining video: The Best and Worst Ways to Train Your Cat
The first day
Introduce your cat to his new home gradually, restricting him to one room at first.
Isolate other animals from your new cat during this time. Supervise children, advising them to always be gentle with the cat. Have the litter box ready when you remove the cat from the carrier. Show him the location of the litter box. Offer a bowl of water but do not provide food for an hour. Your cat may be bewildered, fearful or curious. Do not overwhelm him with attention or demands. Remember to keep doors and windows closed, and be sure the cat has an I.D. tag on at all times. It is not unusual for cats to leap on top of very high furniture in order to explore or to feel secure. Do not panic, shout, or run to the cat. When he is ready, he will come down alone.
Try to spend several hours with your new cat as he becomes accustomed to your home. Your sensitive handling of the initial transition can ease the trauma and set the stage for a happy settling-in.
Sleeping arrangements
Most cats choose several favorite sleeping spots where they can be comfortable, warm, and free from drafts. Providing a bed for your cat may discourage him from sleeping on furniture. A cozy box or basket lined with soft, washable bedding and placed in a quiet corner makes a suitable cat bed.
Helping Your Cat Adjust To A New Home
Adjusting to a new home can be a tense and frightening experience for a cat. Your patience and understanding during his initial adjustment period can do a lot to help your new cat feel at home.
The ride home
Riding in a car can be traumatic for cats. Your cat or kitten should be confined to a carrier during the ride home as well as during subsequent trips to the veterinarian. Do not let your new cat loose in a moving car or allow children to excite him. Do not leave the cat unattended in the car or stop to visit friends, shop, etc. Keep your cat in his carrier until you are safely inside your home.
The new home
Consider your companions past experiences. Your kitten may have been recently separated from his mother and litter mates. The kitten or cat has had to cope with the transition of a shelter and the stress of surgery. The adult cat may have been separated from a familiar home and forced to break a bond with human companions or other animals. Now he must adjust again to totally new surroundings.
Its not uncommon for cats to display behavior problems during the first days in a new home, but these usually disappear over time. New cats and kittens often bolt under furniture. Some may spend hours or even days hiding. Sit and talk quietly to the cat. If you must take the cat out of his hiding place, carry him gently to a quiet protected area where he will feel secure. Be sure food, water and litter box are nearby.
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How Can I Train My Cat To Stop Running Away From Me
Getting a cat to stop running away from you is a two-step process:
1. Training your cat to be okay with you coming near.
Get your cat to initially trust you to be next to him or her by repeatedly being near your cat without interacting with your cat at all.
2. Training your cat to be content to interact with you after you come near.
Get your cat used to the idea that you coming near to interact is not always a bad thing by cycling through different types of interactions each time you come near many of which will be overwhelmingly positive and rewarding for your cat.
Obviously, Ill get more into depth and share the play-by-play of the process you should use below, so keep reading if this is something you feel you want to do.
How To Lure A Sick Cat Out Of Hiding
A cat will naturally seek solitude when its ill, and it may even stay in hiding until it feels completely recovered. This is a natural instinct to protect itself against bigger predators. If the threats cant find the cat when its weak, they definitely cant harm it.
Unfortunately, sick cats will need your care and attention, so leaving the feline outdoors isnt an acceptable strategy. You can use the above techniques to lure the cat out, but keep this in mind: Sick cats are some of the least likely to be tempted out of hiding.
They may not have an appetite or feel too sick to risk coming out for food. They will also feel constantly endangered, so any soothing techniques may not work. Your main options are to:
- Use catnip: Catnip has nepetalactone, which is a chemical that can offer stress relief to felines. Sick cats will be more willing to take this bait. It can also calm down the kitty, so you can more easily capture it.
- Gently use force: A sick cat may be too weak to resist an owner that wraps it up in a blanket and pulls it out of a hiding spot. However, be aware that sick cats are also the most volatile and likely to scratch and bite.
- Contact a vet: Vets have many tools, medicines, and techniques for handling sick cats, especially scared or angry ones. If necessary, reach out to your local clinic and ask them to help you retrieve your cat. They can also provide treatment once the cat is taken out of hiding.
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Training Your Cat To Be Okay With You Coming Near
The first hurdle you have to overcome with a cat who always runs away can be a pretty big problem, as its a bit of a catch 22.
You cant prove youre not going to be annoying when you get up close and personal if you cant even get near enough to your cat to prove that to him or her because each time you try, he or she runs away.
The solution? Work around your cat, approach when he or she is busy with something else like sleeping or eating.
Put down your kittys grub for dinner. While he or she is distracted, literally stand or sit next to him or her.
Remember, dont touch or even reach out to your cat at all. Just stay put, hands hidden behind your back, held together in front of you, or if youre sitting, in your lap.
If you have an especially flighty cat and you sit or stand right next to the food bowl, your cat is likely to not want to go near dinner at first, but the allure of food when a bellys rumbling, and the fact that youve stayed put without moving or making an attempt to come too near for a while will convince kitty its okay to come over and eat.
Repeat this process whenever you feed your cat, and if youre interested in giving a few snacks throughout the day do the same.
Put the snack down, sit near your cat, stick around until he or shes eaten and left, and in the meantime do not move or touch your cat.
You can do the same with naps. Kitty dozed off in the corner? Go near your cat and sit or stand by him or her.
How To Train A Cat To: Beg
This is similar to the shake hands trick. Hold a treat just above your cats head and give a beg command. Your pet should stand on its hind legs and reach up for the snack click to mark the behavior and then give your cat its treat. Practice until your cat begs on command without needing a treat dangled overhead. If you really want to learn how to train a cat well, make sure you always reward your petbut never feed your cat milk.
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How To Get An Escaped House Cat To Come Home
This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 653,299 times.
Losing a pet is a traumatic experience for the whole family and can be heart-breaking for children. Cats are naturally curious and love to explore their environment. Unfortunately, they are not always able to find their way back. Don’t panic, there are ways to bring Felix home.