| What to do if the cat... |
Wrong |
Right |
| Steals some meat |
Take away the booty; punish the animal. |
Do not leave any food around; always feed the cat in the same place. |
| Scratches wallpaper
or sofa |
Yell at it and chase it away. |
Carry it gently to the cat tree and show it - with your fingernails - how to use the tree. |
| Wanders |
Scold it upon its return and lock it out as punishment. |
Greet it warmly and make an appointment for neutering at the vet's. (Neutered cats, both male and female, hardly roam at all.) |
| Misses the cat box |
Dunk its nose in the puddle. |
Clean the box more frequently but without using disinfecting agents; set up additional litter boxes, especially in the cat's chosen urinating spots; use larger litter boxes. |
| Begs at table |
Chase it away, lock it out. |
If you feed your cat or give it a goody at mealtimes, it will stop begging. |
| Sprays against walls and furniture |
Put up new wallpaper, berate the cat. |
Put an end to there markings by having the cat neutered. |
| Wants to get off your lap or out of your arms |
Tighten your grip; this will make the cat put up a fight. |
Loosen your hold, put the cat down, pick it up again and talk to it
gently to distract it. |
| Scratches or bites in the course of play |
Scratch or bite back; pull your hand away. |
Keep your hand still, talk to the cat gently, and pet it with your other hand. |
| Sleeps in your bed |
Here there is no agreement among experts. If you live alone, you can let your cat have its way. If you do not live alone and your partner refuses to share his or her pillow with a cat, get your cat a companion (both animals can be of the same sex). |
