Kittens cannot be trained like a dog, but a little training is still possible and appropriate. This creates good conditions for a harmonious life together.
Can cats be trained?
Cats are more freedom-loving, independent and stubborn than dogs. Training therefore does not work in the same way as we might expect with an obedient dog. But it doesn't have to, after all cats don't have to be able to say "sit", "come" or "heel". For them, it's less about commands and more about what they can and cannot do. Living together in harmony is not a matter of course. Imagine a cat that uses the carpet as a toilet, the wallpaper as a scratching post and your trousers as a climbing aid. A cat owner can also do without disturbing the peace at night, scratching at the door, marking furniture or destroying forearms. There are a few things that should be dealt with at an early stage. This is entirely possible and highly recommended, as it is easier to avoid a behavior than to break the habit once it has become routine.
In the first few weeks of its life, a kitten learns a lot from its mother. This includes, for example, using the litter tray and sharpening its claws on the scratching post. Playing with siblings is also not just fun. Among other things, they learn to be considerate of others. If they play too aggressively, they will soon run out of play partners. To learn as much as possible about interacting with other animals, cats should not be separated from their family before the age of 12 weeks! After that, it is up to the new cat owner to continue the training. But first and foremost, you should work on building a trusting bond. If you start scolding right away, it will be difficult to establish a loving relationship. So don't rush into training, but don't neglect it either.
Before you give your pet the homemade cat ice cream to try, it is best if he already knows the ingredients for the ice cream and likes to eat them. If you want to try out a few different variations in the future, there are a few things to bear in mind: Don't serve the cat ice cream completely frozen, but slightly thawed. Like us humans, cats can suffer brain freeze if they eat food that is too cold too quickly.
Also remember that ice cream for cats is just a snack. The portion should therefore not be large. And not just because the cool treat contains a lot of calories. Too much ice cream could also upset your cat's stomach. If you come up with your own ice cream recipe idea, you can try out a few things. However, you must avoid chocolate, raw pork or raisins in cat ice cream. These foods are poisonous for cats.
Kittens love to play. However, you should not be too generous. It may be cute when a kitten bites your finger or uses your trouser leg as a jumping aid to get up somewhere. But if you allow this to happen all the time, you are training a cat to behave in this way. If it has been allowed to do something countless times, how is it supposed to understand that it is suddenly no longer allowed to do it as an adult animal. The consequences are torn trouser legs and scratched forearms. A kitten should therefore be taught from an early age that biting, scratching and climbing up things are not allowed. Make this clear by clearly saying "no" and stopping play.
Many cat owners are quite generous with many things at the beginning. This includes allowing the cat to sleep in the bed . Do you want to allow this permanently or not, because you are a light sleeper and want to be as undisturbed as possible at night? If this is the case, you should ban the kitten from the bedroom permanently and without restrictions right from the start. Once she has become accustomed to this, she will demand it very intensively. This can lead to constant scratching at the bedroom door and nocturnal cat music. Be firm and do not allow any exceptions, then sooner or later the cat will come to terms with the new situation.
No cat household should be without a scratching post, because cats naturally want to sharpen their claws regularly. If this important utensil is missing, table legs, sofas, wallpaper and doors will suffer. If this is the case despite a scratching post, they will always try to catch the animal in flagrante delicto. Acknowledge the action with a "clap" and a clear "no". Then pick up the cat and place it on the scratching post. You can also use your fingernails to demonstrate that this is the right place to scratch.
Just as with dogs, there are also some no-goes with cats. Under no circumstances should you shout at your cat. It hears much better than we do. You should also never use force or force the cat to do anything against its will. Dipping your nose in a puddle of urine is also unacceptable. Also think about when it makes sense to take educational action. There is no point in scolding the cat on its return for not using the litter tray. Neither is praising it for not leaving scratches in the wooden cupboard today, but obviously using the scratching post. Praise or criticism must always be given immediately after the event, otherwise the cat cannot make a connection.
Tip: Unfortunately, it is often the case that positive actions are taken for granted, while negative ones are punished. Dog training, which often works with positive reinforcement, can also serve as a model here. This means that as soon as the cat has done something as requested, such as going to the litter tray, using the scratching post or coming home before dark, it receives praise or a treat. Cats are intelligent and can associate this praise with an action they have performed. They will therefore remember it fondly and be happy to show it again in order to receive more attention and treats.