Pets Information

can't find what you are looking for? search the site for articles here!
Google
 
Web www.cuddlycats.net

Stop Cat Scratching Today!


Your new living room furniture is in tatters. Your nerves are frayed. Your cat thinks you have morphed into someone he doesn't know and you need a solution to his inappropriate scratching behavior now! Sound familiar? Well, this was our situation a few months ago until we got a handle on a strategy that works.

Cats need to scratch! It helps them excercise their front leg muscles and tendons. It helps to shed old outer layers of the nail sheath. It helps alleviate frustration and boredom and it marks their 'territory' in your home.

Once you realize this it is much easier to arrive at an equitable solution. Rather than concentrating on eliminating the problem ( which isn't going to happen ) you need to find a way to redirect the behavior to an appropriate area in your home.

There are many products on the market which offer a solution. We found a combination of a good quality scratching post wrapped in sisal rope and a set of clear, acrylic shields which fasten to the corner areas of your couch and chair work best. If you need to learn where to purchase these products, visit our website listed below.

The shields are used to cover up areas your cat has already been scratching, in order to redirect him to the post. The scratching post should be tall and heavy enough so your cat can extend his full torso up high enough to offer a good stretch. Most cats are vertical scratchers. They reach up, extend the front arms, claw the scratcher and pull downwards towards the ground. If the post moves around too much they will likely not use it again so make sure it is stable.

If your cat likes catnip, rub some into the sisal rope on the post. Hanging his favorite toy on the top of the post will help get his attention also.

The first time he uses the post you need to heap lots of praise on him, pet him, give him a treat and let him know that he is a 'good boy.' Cats do not relate punishment to the behavior they are engaged in but they do understand very well when they have done something that pleases you if you communicate that effectively. It shouldn't take long for your cat to figure things out if you use this strategy.

Our cat Milo is hillarious! Now when he needs to scratch he sits in front of the post, reaches up to scratch, stops and turns to make sure we are watching him and then does his business. Then he turns to us as if to say, 'hey, aren't I a good boy?'

Brad Knell is the webmaster at http://www.stopcatscratching.com which is one of a series of websites created to help people with their pet problems.


MORE RESOURCES:

Plain Dealer

Northeast Ohio pet owners want fast FDA action on pet treats from China
Plain Dealer
Sherrod Brown WASHINGTON, DC - Candace Thaxton of Westlake believes that tainted chicken jerky pet treats from China killed her 10-year-old pug, Chansey, last year and sickened the five-month-old puppy her family got to replace it.
Tainted pet treats are still available in storesWTAM.com
Brown, Kucinich Seek FDA Action to Protect Dogs From 'Tainted' TreatsCleveland News - Fox 8

all 4 news articles »


Winterize Your Pet With the Royal Treatment
Huffington Post
Global warming may exist, but winter is still upon us, and our pets can feel the chill. A pet on the lap is a simple and wonderful way to lower heating bills, but what can we do to reduce their risk of illness from the tolls of winter?
Confused.com guides pet owners through the minefield of pet insuranceWebWire (press release)

all 5 news articles »


Bellingham Herald

Pet Dental Care
NTV
February is National Pet Dental Care Month. At what age in our pet's life should we start to be concerned about dental care? As soon as possible while your pet is still young. Know what its teeth and mouth look like, get it accustomed to having its ...
5 Best Ways to Keep Your Pet's Teeth HealthyPaw Nation
A Bite as Healthy as Their BarkWall Street Journal

all 38 news articles »


MiniChip(TM) in February for Pet Dental Health Month
MarketWatch (press release)
OAKVILLE, ONTARIO, Feb 06, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- Pethealth Inc. /quotes/zigman/39120 CA:PTZ +1.85% - With veterinary clinics and animal welfare practitioners across the country promoting Pet Dental Health month this February, Pethealth Inc.

and more »


Pet limit and rooster ban on Coast
Fraser Coast Chronicle
Sunset clauses have been built into new laws governing keeping pets and poultry on the Fraser Coast to protect existing pet owners. Under the new Local Laws residents can keep two cats and two dogs. If they wish to keep more cats or dogs they will have ...

and more »


Pets and Cancer -- Pet loss, the death of a pet
Stamford Times
By Gerald Post, DVM, DACVIM The death of a pet can be devastating. Pets are more than just pets nowadays; they are family members, friends, and trusted companions. When they die, we experience grief and it is a very natural emotion.

and more »


Pet Travel Announces Partnership with Datamars
Houston Chronicle
Pet Travel has offered microchips and scanners to traveling pet owners for over 5 years. Through a recent partnership with Datamars, a global leader in pet identification, these devices will be available to vets, breeders, shelters and other businesses ...

and more »


Baby on the way? Make time to prepare your pet
Chronicle-Telegram
Experts say the countdown should include prep time for pets too. A baby changes everything for a pet — from how its home looks, smells and sounds to what the rules are. Low energy, friendly, social dogs are the most adaptable pets, while independent, ...

and more »


Proposed Bill Protects Pets of Domestic Abuse Victims
Patch.com
Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, extends legal protection to pets of an abuse victim and makes beating or abusing the victim's pet grounds for violating a court-ordered domestic violence injunction. It also would make abusing a pet covered under an ...

and more »


GoLocalProv

Why People Don't Fix Their Pets
Patch.com
February is Spay/Neuter Awareness Month and veterinarians and advocates have answers and aid for unsure pet owners. By Therra C. Gwyn Over half of the pets who end up in shelters never get out. Van from LifeLine Animal Project is a stray cat who got ...
Sex and the Kitty: Discounted pet spay/neuters during FebruaryExaminer.com
NEW: Channel 10 Leads “Help These Faces” Unwanted Pet CampaignGoLocalProv
Pets of the WeekSt. Augustine Record
Mail Tribune -Today's THV -Enterprise-Record
all 9 news articles »

Google News

home | site map
© 2006