Does your kitten rummage through the trash or regularly steal food off the kitchen counter when you are not looking? Do you come home to scratches on your couch or catch them in the middle of taking a bathroom break on your favourite rug? As pet parents, it is natural for you to get upset about this. But before you get angry, take a deep breath, step back and ask yourself: Does my kitten even understand that what he/she is doing is not appropriate? And what can I do to make the situation easier for both of us?
As you have probably noticed, kittens are curious about everything happening around them and love to explore their environment. They use what is available to them—claws, paws, etc.—to understand the objects in their home. So, when they are rummaging in your living room, perhaps clawing your sofa or a houseplant, your kitten is just getting to know his or her environment. Since you do want to keep your belongings intact, here are a few easy solutions that you can incorporate into your daily life without curbing your kitty’s curious nature:
- Add a cat tree to your kitten’s space. Kittens enjoy climbing up and jumping from perch to perch, it also gives them a safe spot to exercise their claws. Clear out a cat-safe window sill so they have a spot to watch birds and squirrels. Cats love climbing and watching the world go by, and these will help them explore without destroying your belongings.
- There are DIY methods to prevent your cat from scratching up the furniture. For example, place a layer of aluminum foil on the area you want to protect. Cats tend to leave these alone and will instead turn to scratching boards or posts that you have put out for them.
- Introducing your new kitten to your home, one room at a time, helps establish boundaries and lets your little one explore safely. Give them access to the rooms you want them to be in. They will eventually learn which areas are off-limits.
- Make your home cat-friendly. For instance, put a net to your balcony so that they do not jump out or get stuck on a ledge. Place their cat scratching posts where they want them instead of where you want them and so on.
Any relationship needs time to grow, whether it is with humans or our four-legged friends. But how does one do that? This is where kitten behavioral training comes in. You might think that tricks and basic training are typically connected to dogs, but cats can learn them too! That’s right—kitten behavioural training is possible and essential to help your kitten understand the rules of the house. Browse through our handy guide on how to house train a kitten so you are able to communicate better with your pet.
