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I call it the "Pick 'n Mix" approach. Not everything is going to work for everyone in all situations. Pick the ones that work for you and mix them altogether into something that works for you and your cats.
Yeah, I have to admit we really are enjoying our babies. We got so tired of the mixed opinions about everything--we decided to simply try different approaches to see what works. I'm still on the fence about discipline though. We've used the spray bottle a couple times, but I always feel bad afterwards! Anyway, I like your "Pick 'n Mix" approach--you should start a thread with that name . I'll check out that website. Thanks so much!
Nonsense. I have perfectly even-tempered cats. Nothing mercurial about them. I've got a cat... and if he were any more laid-back, he'd be in a coma. So there.
(Just to give the OP a taste of what she's in for. Apologies folks, but I couldn't resist. )
I have only used the squirt bottle (in my case it was a water pistol) on one particular cat and it was reserved for a heinous crime: that attempted murder in the first degree of two parrots. There was much malice of forethought... but he only forethought it and tried to execute it twice - both times getting felled by a water pistol. It has to be said, he never tried it again.
When dealing with cats, it is useful to remember this:
"In ancient Egypt cats were worshiped as gods. Cats have never forgotten this."
In our house the water bottle is used for one thing....and that is kneading on the furniture. But, I have to say....all I have to do is pick it up...and in all fairness, it is only ONE ( out of 5) that has this mental block about what is acceptable. If I even see her "thinking" about my new leather furniture...I pick up the bottle...she takes off...well, more like meanders away I haven't refilled that bottle in 2 years....For every other infraction...a good clap of the hands and loud "NO" seems to do the trick ( for the time being anyway)
I've never used a squirt gun -- that would require a) accuracy, and 2) effort. Usually I shout and clap my hands. They're starting to understand "no!" -- I wish they understood "no" as well as they understood "breakfast."
I guess one absolute is that, when disciplining a cat, you've got to catch them in the act.
Nonsense. I have perfectly even-tempered cats. Nothing mercurial about them. I've got a cat... and if he were any more laid-back, he'd be in a coma. So there.
(Just to give the OP a taste of what she's in for. Apologies folks, but I couldn't resist. )
You're funny . It totally depends on the cat though!
Mercurial is a great way to describe our first cat, Gracie. Of course she has very specific routines in some ways (like any cat), but she is also quite unpredictable. Gracie can go from 0 to 60 in a couple seconds flat without any warning--she will just start racing back and forth through the house at no specific time of day. One minute she wants to be held and given kisses, the next minute she wants alone time. She won't eat the same kind of soft food every day, so I have to surprise her with different kinds to keep her on her toes--one day she just decided that Wellness soft food (although previously her favorite) was unpalatable. She loves playing in the bathtub (with water in it) and is occasionally curious about the paper shredder (as it grinds) even though she is incredibly skittish about the vacuum. Sometimes she's incredibly needy and meows incessantly during the night, other times she disappears and we don't see her 'til morning. She's also pretty changeable when it comes to which toys strike her fancy.
I'm not sure about our newest kitty--she is just getting used to the new setting and new cat. More on her later...
You're funny . It totally depends on the cat though!
Mercurial is a great way to describe our first cat, Gracie. Of course she has very specific routines in some ways (like any cat), but she is also quite unpredictable. Gracie can go from 0 to 60 in a couple seconds flat without any warning--she will just start racing back and forth through the house at no specific time of day. One minute she wants to be held and given kisses, the next minute she wants alone time. She won't eat the same kind of soft food every day, so I have to surprise her with different kinds to keep her on her toes--one day she just decided that Wellness soft food (although previously her favorite) was unpalatable. She loves playing in the bathtub (with water in it) and is occasionally curious about the paper shredder (as it grinds) even though she is incredibly skittish about the vacuum. Sometimes she's incredibly needy and meows incessantly during the night, other times she disappears and we don't see her 'til morning. She's also pretty changeable when it comes to which toys strike her fancy.
I'm not sure about our newest kitty--she is just getting used to the new setting and new cat. More on her later...
LOL...Yup, you've got yourself a cat there!
0-60 in seconds....known as the cat crazies!
We're just going thru...We love our Wellness cat food...but oh wait...that was yesterday....something different please....we're still in the testing stage on that one
Have we found the printer yet? Ours here the fax or printer and are immeadiatley peering in to "attack" whatever paper emerges.
I love when they do that. Pinging off the walls, being chased by imaginary demons, slaying imaginary dragons, doing the "kamikazi death roll" and diving head-first down the cat tree - only to appear out the bottom and take off as if the hounds from hell are on their heels, ending in the hockey-stop that doesn't work on slick floors and the cartoon-like running in place trying to grain traction. Endless amusement.
I love when they do that. Pinging off the walls, being chased by imaginary demons, slaying imaginary dragons, doing the "kamikazi death roll" and diving head-first down the cat tree - only to appear out the bottom and take off as if the hounds from hell are on their heels, ending in the hockey-stop that doesn't work on slick floors and the cartoon-like running in place trying to grain traction. Endless amusement.
LOL...And in our house...it's all 5 chasing one another...sounds like a herd of stampeding elephants! And then, and then.....everyone flops down as tho they've all been shot down...and looking like the most innocent of angels
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JupiterFire
It seems like no one is on the same page regarding cat behavior.
We spent many months going to shelters to find our 2 wonderful kitties, and in that time I have spoken with numerous shelter workers/volunteers. I've picked the brains of our two regular vets. I have regular Q & A sessions with pet store employees.
It seems like everyone I've talked to has a fairly solid opinion about cat behavior, but everybody says something different. I hear about dog experts all of the time. Where oh where are the feline kind? Are there no facts when it comes to cat behavior?
Understanding cat behavior is really pretty simple and can be summed up economically as follows: Expect the cat to do whatever the hell it pleases.
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. I'll check out that website. Thanks so much!
Apologies folks, but I couldn't resist. 
)
I haven't refilled that bottle in 2 years....For every other infraction...a good clap of the hands and loud "NO" seems to do the trick ( for the time being anyway
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