When we ask ourselves about the cat education, we think that it can be a very difficult task but, like dogs, cats can also be educated, being able to achieve good behavior and thus a harmonious coexistence. What we must keep in mind is that they do not behave in the same way. Cats are social animals but more independent, they are not interested in pleasing us, so it is essential to understand what they think, need, motivates them and the reason for their actions.
In this article on our site we will give you some recommendations on how to make your cat listen to you, but before I get into the topic, it is also important to emphasize that not all cats are the same, that they also have different temperaments and personalities (some are active and boisterous, others are reserved and shy, some are very independent and others are very affectionate) and that they may have experienced experiences not pleasant or traumatized, so each case will need your time and dedication.
Why doesn't my cat pay attention to me?
Taking into account the different behavior they present and the different personalities of cats, the most common reasons why they ignore us and that we must bear in mind may be the following:
- Environmental factors that may affect their behavior such as introducing new animals or people into the home, which makes them feel threatened or more insecure.
- Changes in the routine they are used to, which may be related to the above cause or for other reasons, such as a change of meal times.
- Instinct of the species, such as marking with nails or urine, which leads the animal to feel the need to scratch furniture or objects. The marking can also be due to stress, produced by one of the previous causes. In addition, their hunting instinct can explain certain behaviors, so covering this need through the appropriate game is more than recommended.
- Physical problems such as pain, arthritis, trauma, urinary infections or different pathologies that can lead to aggressive attitudes or abnormal behavior such as performing their needs outside the litter box.
- Age When they are very young it is normal that we observe that the cat does not pay attention, since it is still in the learning process. Likewise, when they are very old, it is also common for them to be more reluctant to obey. In the latter case, we recommend going to the vet to check if it is a physical problem or behavior associated with age.
Especially the first two points generate a state of stress in the cat that can be more or less serious and that affects its general behavior, producing behavior problems such as those mentioned and, of course, causing it to the cat ignores This is why it is so important to identify the cause of the problem and treat it
What should I do to make my cat pay attention? - Basic Techniques
One of the techniques that we must take into account when knowing how to make a cat pay attention is the positive reinforcement, which consists of rewarding the animal, either with a caress, treat or favorite food, when we see that it does something well, encouraging it to repeat the same action. From our point of view, it is one of the guidelines that will provide us with the most help, achieving rapid and effective learning. It is necessary to be constant and pay attention to the behavior in order to reward it at the exact moment and thus achieve the desired behavior.
Indicating what is wrong without punishing and offering alternatives
In contrast to the previous point when we find him doing something we don't want, like getting on the table, we must mark it with a firm “no”. It is important to do it at the right moment so that they understand it and that they can associate it with the behavior they are having at that precise moment. Physical punishments or those that instill fear doesn't work, because they don't understand it and on the contrary we can achieve an unwanted effect such as loss of confidence towards us, anxiety, stress or aggressiveness.
In those cases in which the unwanted behavior is towards us or an object, such as scratching or biting, it is important to replace the inappropriate resource with one that is correct, like a scratcher or a toy. In the following sections we will see specific situations and how to make your cat pay attention to you.
My cat doesn't obey me and scratches the furniture
A normal behavior in cats is to sharpen their claws or mark their territory with them, the problem is when they do it in inappropriate places such as furniture or armchairs. To get them to stop scratching the furniture you have to get them used to doing it on a scratcher or tree trunk. If this happens to your feline and there is no way to get your cat to pay attention to you so that he uses the scratching post, start playing with him, associating it as something positive, placing him in front of the object he used previously and, when he uses the scratching post, reward to the animal.
Once you accept the scraper we can place it in a place that we consider more convenient or appropriate. When another piece of furniture scratches again, we must separate it immediately (not abruptly) and take it where we have accustomed it. In this sense, having various and different scrapers improves environmental enrichment and, therefore, achieves better results. Cats love scratching posts with different heights, as well as looking outside through a window, so placing a scratching post that meets these characteristics in their favorite window can be very positive.
My cat ignores me, bites and scratches me
Many times cats try to bite or scratch, this may be due to aggressive behavior but most of the time They do it as part of a gamebecause of your predatory behavior or rudeness on our part. Many are the guardians who, when they adopt a kitten, play with it using their hands and feet, without realizing that the animal will interpret this as correct and, therefore, in the future will continue to scratch and bite, causing more pain for being larger. For this reason, we should never teach a cat that chasing and "playing" with our hands or feet is okay.
When the animal scratches or bites us, we must mark it with a “no” and suspend the game session immediately, since this It will make you understand that what you are doing is wrong. We will also have to avoid all the stimuli that can trigger such behavior. Likewise, another infallible technique to get a cat to pay attention and understand that it should not scratch or bite us is to replace our body with a suitable resource, such as a toy. In this way, after telling him "no", we will give him a toy and reward him so that he interprets that he can bite that object.
My cat doesn't listen to me when I call him
To get your cat to listen to you when you call him, follow these simple tips:
- The first step to start this learning is to choose a name that is simple and short. It is important to avoid confusion in our pets not to use diminutives or change the tone used.
- The second step is to choose a treat or food that you really like to use as a reward. Start by standing a short distance away and call to him until you get his attention (using a toy might help at first). Every time he approaches you, give him the prize you have chosen so that he associates it with something positive. Repeat this several times a day in short sessions and, as a tip, do it before the meal so that it is more predisposed.
- As he answers your call, increases the distance and then moves on to other rooms in the house. Once this is achieved, it is advisable to gradually reduce the prize chosen.
In addition, it is important that they associate the call with something positive, so do not use their name in negative situations. On the other hand, it is much easier to get a cat to listen when you call him by starting his education at an early age, although if you have an adult cat you can also teach him. Finally, be patient and be consistent
You know his needs and you will know how to educate him
It is important to know his needs, such as always keep his litter box clean (the cat is very meticulous with his hygiene), to know that the cats are more active at night (they spend most of the day sleeping) so we can play with them before going to sleep, give them toys so that they entertain them, always leave food and water available to prevent them from waking us up at night with their meows. Of course, if your cat does not know how to ration food, to avoid being overweight you must set a meal schedule that you must respect.
You have to understand that cats act differently from us, that they have their own instincts and that we have to cover them in some way, not only to know how to make a cat pay attention, but to make the animal live happy and balanced. Understanding their behavior will make it easier for us to learn.
Consistency, the key to getting a cat to pay attention
Finally, it should be remembered that we have to be constant in order to achieve change. Some will be more predisposed and others will make use of their stubbornness, so it is essential to have a lot of patience and an assertive attitude, since any change in our mood will be noticed. We can also always turn to the advice of professionals with knowledge in animal behavior, such as feline ethologists, and trusted veterinarians in very serious or complicated cases.
We hope that these guidelines to know how to make your cat pay attention to you are helpful and never forget that in all education you cannot lack respect, trust and love.
