Part 2: Training Your Cat

The three-point program that follows will work to train a kitten or young cat or to re-train an adult cat.

TRIM YOUR CAT'S NAILS REGULARLY

For best results use a pair of pet nail trimmers, such as Miller's forge. These are available at pet supply shops. Sit the cat in your lap as you'd hold a baby and take a front foot between your thumb and forefinger. Gently press on the toes until the claws appear. You will see a dark red wedge-shaped vein running through the claw. Relax and only do one claw at a time. Just trim off an 1/8 inch ahead of the vein. If you have never cut the claws before only clip a very small amount, 1/8 inch or less at first. As you trim over the weeks and months the vein will actually recede a bit, enabling you to eventually clip more. If you are in doubt ask your veterinarian for a demo. If you happen to cut the vein, quickly plunge the nail into a bar of soap to stop the bleeding, or wrap the nail in a cold compress. Remember that cats dislike being restrained, so the more relaxed YOU are, the easier your job will be. This is something you and your cat will do for the rest of his life, so make it a pleasant time for both of you.

Adult cats need their front nails clipped every week or so and the back nails less often. Kittens under 4 months may need a trim every 4 or 5 days! It is best to wake up a kitten, or catch him in a quiet mood to make the trimming easier.

MAKE A SCRATCHING POST YOUR CAT WILL USE

Expensive, store-bought scratching posts often leave your little lion feeling cold. Take a real look at what your cat already likes to scratch on - chances are it's your couch or a chair. The couch is big, tall and sturdy and probably covered in a tightly woven, nubby fabric. Take these factors into account and then get creative! Make the post at least 40 inches tall - floor to ceiling would be wonderful. Use tightly woven, nubby carpet. Sisal rope also works. Other ideas would be to take a tree log with rough bark and mount it on a sturdy base. Catnip can be placed on and around the post.

Put the post where the cat will use it! If he's clawing the couch, put it near the couch. If you need to, build and use 2 or 3 posts. Your cat will need to claw whether or not you give him a scratching post. Give him good options and he will spare your furniture!

TRAIN YOUR CAT TO CLAW WHERE HE IS SUPPOSED TO

Show your cat his new, wonderful scratching post that you made for him. Place his paws on it and move them. If you catch him clawing furniture calmly pick him up and place him on his new post (which, of course, you have nearby). Be consistent with this and eventually it will work. If your cat is having trouble "giving up" the couch, try squirting him a little with a small water pistol each time you catch him clawing it.

For questions about Rising Sun, e-mailrisinsun@mwt.net

For comments on the site, send mail to webmaster