Spraying your cat with water can make her uncomfortable
Spano explained. “[So] equating the discomfort a human feels upon being spritzed with water to the discomfort a cat feels upon being spritzed with water is unfair and not rational.”
Aggression. A cat can be aggressive for many reasons, including pain or illness, fear, stress, or overstimulation. If your cat is lashing out, check in with your vet first, particularly if the aggression is a new behavior. The cause can be medical, so your vet will first look for a health issue.
If you catch your cat in the act of scratching an inappropriate object, you can try startling him by clapping your hands or squirting him with water. Use this procedure only as a last resort, because your cat may associate you with the startling event (clapping or squirting) and learn to fear you.
If you are playing with your cat and he does manage to bite a part of your body, firmly say "no," and then withdraw from the play session for a few moments. If every time your cat's teeth touch human flesh, playtime ends, your cat will quickly learn to stop biting. Never yell at or hit your cat for play biting.
Disobedient cats may also be bored, so provide stimulation and exercise. Finally, praise the cat when it is being good. Use kind words, gentle petting, and treats to reinforce good behavior. If you suspect your pet is sick, call your vet immediately.
So, while cats can be trained, they often lack the desire. You'll have to work at getting your furry friend to learn new habits, but it can be done. Cats have short attention spans, so your training sessions shouldn't last any longer than five minutes.
An inquisitive tabby poking her nose into that roasted chicken cooling on the countertop may be annoying, but she does not deserve to be treated like a feline Frisbee. Pushing or throwing your cat in frustration can harm her, both physically and in spirit.
Lack of play and stimulation can also lead to stress-related health issues and obesity. Ideally, your cat is getting regular, daily interactive play with you. This is the best kind of play for supporting their health and behavior. However, many cats need more than we can provide directly.
According to the website for the MSPCA-Angell, a nonprofit animal protection organization in Boston, most cats hate walking on aluminum foil, heavy plastic, or sticky surfaces, so if you want your cat to stop hanging out on the counter, make sure the surface is unwelcoming.
Cat anxiety symptoms include:
Hiding, pacing, crouching defensively. New aggressive or overly clingy behavior. Meowing way more than usual. Coat changes from not grooming or bald patches from over-grooming.
As a general rule, cats are sensitive when it comes to smells, but there are a few scents they hate that might just surprise you. They can't stand citrus and as much as you might love the smell of fresh herbs, cats hate rosemary and thyme. Banana and mustard are a big no-no too, as well as lavender and eucalyptus.
Sensitivity threshold: The cat enjoys the human contact at first, but then the repetitiveness of the petting becomes irritating. The cat turns and bites as a way to say, “I've had enough.” An analogy to human behavior can be made. If someone pats you on the back, it feels good.
Utilize clicker training and give your cat her favorite treat or catnip when she jumps off the counter. Over time, she should learn to jump off instinctively and eventually not go up there at all. You can find a cat clicker on Amazon or in your local pet store.
You can train your cat to scratch only in the areas you want to — yes, cats can be trained! You can try: Having scratching posts available: Get sturdy scratching posts and position them to protect your furniture. A post will keep your kitty occupied and let them satisfy their scratching urges.
Redirect, don't punish – If your kitten or young cat does something they shouldn't, redirect them by moving them to a neutral spot and encourage the behavior you want. Reward your cat when they do the right things with verbal praise and small treats.
Use a Water/Spray Bottle
This method is really quite simple. Tell the cat "no" and expect to be ignored because you most likely will be. When the cat fails to acknowledge what you have just said, though they probably understand you perfectly well, immediately give them a spritz with water.
Key takeaway. Understanding when and where it is safe to pet a cat is important for your safety and theirs. While every cat is different, most felines prefer to be pet on their back, chin, around the cheeks, ears, and on their forehead. Many cats dislike being pet on their tail, tummy, or feet.