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Our Favorite Tips to Train a Kitten
Our Favorite Tips to Train a Kitten

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Training Your Kitten for a Lifetime of Good Behaviour: Tips for a Purrfect Companion

Bringing a new kitten into your home is an exciting time for any pet lover. As your furry little bundle of joy grows and develops, it's important to remember that proper kitten training is essential for its physical and behavioural well-being. In the crucial growing years, a kitten's brain is like a sponge, absorbing information and learning new skills at an incredible speed. With proper guidance and loving touch, you can ensure that your kitten grows into a well-adjusted, happy, and healthy family member. This blog post will share tips to train your kitten and provide them with the best possible start in life.
 

Tips to train your kitten

As a new kitten parent, it's important to understand that kitten training should be a fun and positive experience for you and your furry friend. You can teach your kitten everything from basic commands to good manners with patience, consistency, and a few simple tips. Here are some of our top tips for training your kitten:

 

  1. Teach important commands

    Teaching your kitten to sit is the first step in training. Start by holding a treat in front of their nose and slowly moving it up and over their head. As they look up to follow the treat, their bottom should naturally lower to the ground. As soon as they sit, say 'sit' and give them the treat. Repeat this process several times a day until they understand the command.
     

  2. A place to call their own

    Crate training is an excellent way to provide your kitten with a safe and comfortable space to call their own. Start by placing a soft blanket and a few toys inside the crate. Let your kitten explore the crate on their own and reward them with treats and praise when they go inside. Over time, you can start closing the door for short periods and gradually increase the duration.
     

  3. Exploring the world around them

    Socialization is an important part of kitten training. Start by introducing your kitten to friends, family, and other pets. Take your fur baby on short car rides and expose it to sights, sounds, and smells. The more it is exposed to different people, animals, and environments, the more confident and well-adjusted it will be as an adult.
     

  4. Playtime is important!

    Training your kitten to play with toys is a great way to stimulate it mentally and physically. Start by introducing your purrfect pal to various toys and see what interests it the most. Once it is engaged, you two can indulge in fun games like fetch, chase, and tug of war.
     

  5. Potty training

    Litter training is an essential part of kitten training. Start by placing your kitten in the litter box after meals and naps. When they use the litter box, reward them with treats and praises. Be sure to clean the box regularly and keep it in a quiet, accessible location.
     

  6. Dining etiquette for kittens

    Teaching your kitten proper feeding etiquette is important for its overall health and wellbeing. Start by teaching them to eat from a bowl and not to beg at the table. Be consistent with their feeding schedule and monitor their weight to ensure they receive full nutrition.
     

  7. Make them recognize their name

    Teaching kittens to recognize their name is an important step in training. Start by calling their name and rewarding them with treats and praises when they respond. Be consistent with their name and use them as much as possible.

    Overall, training your kitten is an ongoing process that requires patience and consistency. Remember to use positive and reward-based training methods. And most importantly, have fun! Make sure to give your kitten lots of love, praises, and treats as they learn and grow.

Our Favorite Tips to Train a Kitten
Our Favorite Tips to Train a Kitten
Our Favorite Tips to Train a Kitten

Frequently asked questions

  1. Are kittens easy to train?
  2. It is possible to train kittens, but it may be more difficult than training older cats. Kittens are playful and easily distracted, which can make training more challenging. Additionally, their developing brains may not fully understand certain commands or behaviours. However, with patience and consistency, kittens can learn basic commands and behaviours such as using a litter box and responding when called. It's important to start training and socializing kittens early to ensure they grow into well-behaved adult cats.

     

  3. What is the best age to train a kitten?
  4. The best age to train a kitten is around 8-12 weeks old. At this age, kittens are more receptive to learning and are less likely to have developed bad habits. It is also important to consult with a veterinarian before starting any training to ensure the kitten is healthy and ready for training.

     

  5. How do you bond with your kitten?
  6. To bond with your kitten, you can spend quality time with it. Indulge in activities like playing, grooming, and cuddling. Establishing a consistent routine and providing it with proper socialization, training, and medical care is also important to have a healthy relationship with your kitty. Consult with your veterinarian for specific recommendations.

     

  7. How do you tell your kitten a 'No'?
  8. To tell your kitten a "no", use a firm, but not harsh tone and gently redirect its behaviour. Consistency and positive reinforcement for good behaviour can also help kittens understand what is and is not acceptable. Consult with a veterinarian or animal behaviourist for additional guidance.

     

  9. How long does it take to train a kitten?
  10. It typically takes several months to train a kitten. Consistency and patience are key as kittens have short attention spans and may not fully understand commands until they are around 6 months old. Working with a veterinarian or professional trainer is important to ensure that proper training techniques are used.

     

  • Your Cat’s Language: What Meows, Chirps and Yowls Mean
    Your Cat’s Language: What Meows, Chirps and Yowls Mean
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    Your Cat’s Language: What Meows, Chirps and Yowls Mean

    Listen up, Mom or Dad, because your feline definitely has something to say. Cats use more than 100 different vocal sounds to communicate. Here are nine of the most common sounds you’ll hear and what your cat’s unique language means.

     

    Purr

    While your cat’s purrs are usually a sign that they’re happy, comfortable or content, it’s important to point out that your cat might also purr when they are anxious, agitated or sick — because purring soothes them. The key to figuring out if it’s a “worry purr” is to check if their ears are folded back, if they seem tense or if they just aren’t acting normal. (If that’s the case, call the vet and grab the cat carrier.)

     

    Meow

    Why do cats meow? It’s simple: It’s their way of communicating with us!
     

    Meows are your cat’s most common “word,” and every one means something different. For example, your cat might meow to greet you when you come home, to ask you to open your bedroom door so they can curl up on your pillow, or to say, “I’d like some more tasty kibble.

     

    Chirps and Trills

    Chirps and trills are the loving language of cat mothers. Chirps, or chirrups, are staccato, bird-like sounds mother cats use to say to their kittens, “Follow me.” Trills are higher-pitched chirps your cat uses to say hello or “Pay attention to me.” When your cat directs these sounds at you, chances are they want you to give them some love or follow them somewhere, usually to their food or water bowl. (Shocker, LOL.)
     

    If you have more than one feline fur baby, listen closely. You’ll likely hear your cats talk to each other with these sounds.

     

    Chatter

    When your kitty spies an unsuspecting bird or squirrel frolicking outside the window, they might make a chattering sound at it. This distinctive, repetitive clicking noise is caused by a combination of lip smacking and your cat rapidly vibrating their lower jaw. This odd behavior looks like teeth chattering, and a lot of cats also chirp when they chatter.
     

    This clickety sound is thought to be a mix of predatory excitement and frustration at not being able to get to the elusive feathered or furry prize. Some animal behaviorists even think the sound mimics a fatal bite used to break the bones of their prey. Who knew your li’l feline was so ferocious?!
     

    Regardless of the exact reason cats chatter or chirp at birds and other small animals, most feline parents find it fascinating and amusing to watch.

     

    Hiss

    The unmistakable sound of a cat hissing is like a steak hitting a hot skillet, and it can only mean one thing: Your cat feels threatened and will put up a fight if they have to. Just as important as the hissing sound, however, is the cat body language that comes with it. Your cat will flatten their ears, arch their back, puff their fur, twitch their tail and usually open their mouth to flash their fangs — aka the classic defensive pose.

     

    Snarls and Growls

    In addition to a hiss, if your cat makes a deep, guttural growlsound, they’re saying, “Back off.” Similar to a dog’s growl, this noise means your cat is annoyed, scared or angry. Some cats even make short, higher-pitched snarl sounds before launching into a full-blown growl.
     

    While these sounds usually signify an unhappy cat, it’s important to note that some cats growl because they’re in pain from an injury or a health problem. If you suspect this is the case, a trip to the vet is in order.
     

    If your feline snarls or growls at you for any reason, though, it’s best to leave your feisty friend alone.

     

    Yowl

    A yowl, or howl, is a long, drawn-out meow that almost sounds like moaning; it’s your cat’s way of telling you they’re worried or distressed, or that they need you. They might have gotten locked in a closet, can’t find you anywhere or, heaven forbid, have discovered their food bowl is empty. Your cat might also yowl when they don’t feel well or when a new neighborhood cat trespasses on their turf.
     

    Whatever the reason, make sure you immediately help your cat whenever you hear a yowl. Trust us — you’ll both be glad you did.

     

    Your Cat’s Language: What Meows, Chirps and Yowls Mean