Hints and Tricks to Stop Naughty Kitties
April 6, 2009 by admin
Filed under Featured, How to: Tips
Regardless of how meek and mild your cat may be, there are few on this planet who do not occasionally act up and do things that drive you mad. This is just something that, as cat owners, we accept as a form of tax paid on the good times that they bring. But there are always ways that you can cut down on the naughty behavior of a cat who just won’t quit.
Orange Peel: It is absolutely true. Cats are really put off by citrus smells, and anything acidic at all. They have a more sensitive sense of smell than we humans, though, so instead of sprinkling vinegar in your home and causing any visitors to suspect that you have turned your house into a pickling plant, just scatter some orange peel in a dish and place it wherever you don’t want kitty to be.
Aluminium Foil: For reasons that are yet to be fully established, the average cat will not walk across a strip of tin foil. Some think it is the reflective surface that spooks them, others that it is the crinkling noise but regardless of why it is, your cat is unlikely to take kindly to tin foil being spread in one of their favorite areas for causing mayhem.
Water: Cats hate water. If you have tried to bathe one, you will know this better than you ever could have wished to know anything. But you can use this to your advantage. No-one wants to hit their cat. It is ineffective and counter-productive anyway. But spraying them with water, although annoying to them, is not painful and reinforces the right behavior without traumatising – this works best if you can do it without being seen, as they may just stop the offending behavior when you are around.
Noise: If none of the above are working, you may wish to try making some noise. Cats pick up on aggression, so shouting at them is not a desirable approach. But a “psst” noise will have an off-putting effect without upsetting them – as will a loud tinkling noise. Experiment with different noises until you find the best one, and have another good one in reserve in case they become used to your “A” game.
