The post How to Train a Cat Not to Bite: 8 Vet-Approved Tips and Tricks by Catster Editorial Team appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com. Click to Skip Ahead Possible Reasons Why Your Cat Bites You Tips How to Train a Cat Not to Bite You How to Treat a Cat Bite Is your cat constantly biting you? You are not alone. The behavior is typical for kittens and adult cats, but they do it for different reasons. Adult cat bites are painful and potentially dangerous, but bites from kittens shouldn’t be tolerated either. However, it’s possible to train your cat not to bite, regardless of age. Here, we offer eight tips and tricks on how to do that. But first, let’s look at some of the most common reasons cats bite. Possible Reasons Why Your Cat Bites You Cats bite for different reasons. Understanding the motivation behind the bites is the first step in learning how to stop the behavior. 1. Play Aggression Kittens learn vital communication and hunting skills through play. Due to their predatory instincts, they usually engage their siblings in rough play, which often involves claws and teeth. The mock-fighting is an opportunity to test personal limits, and it helps the kittens learn valuable social skills. For instance, a kitten can only know that bites hurt because of the reaction they get from their sibling playmates. 2. Seeking Attention A cat can do several things to get your attention when hungry, bored, or craving affection. They can meow, rub against you, stare at you. But they can also bite you. Image Credit: Anna Kraynova, Shutterstock 3. Asserting Dominance While cats do not live in a hierarchical structure, they are territorial creatures, and some cats want to assert their dominance through physically aggressive acts, such as biting, scratching, and swatting1. They usually do it with other cats in the home but can also do it with you. Cats usually assert dominance when they feel threatened, and sometimes, they accompany the biting with a hiss or growl. 4. Establishing Limits Biting could also be a form of expressing agitation when a cat wants you to stop doing something. Perhaps they have had enough of the petting and grooming. After giving off several warnings, they can make good the threat by biting you. 5. Stress, Fear, or a Learned Behavior A stressed cat that feels vulnerable might bite out of fear thanks to a cortisol-induced fight-or-flight response. A cat can also bite you if biting has resulted in you stopping doing whatever bothers them before. For instance, biting you might have saved them from an unpleasant trip to the vet, nail clipping, or bath time. So, they might try their luck the next time they feel scared or threatened. 6. Pain A cat biting you could also be a reaction to physical discomfort or pain. Biting could be a way of expressing discomfort when other visual and verbal forms of communication fail. A cat that bites suddenly when you touch a certain area might be suffering from a medical condition. Even if you can not see an external injury, there might be something internal that’s not visually obvious. The 8 Tips How to Train a Cat Not to Bite You Training a cat to stop a behavior requires patience, especially when dealing with an adult feline. But it is possible if you do it with care and persistence. Here are seven tips and tricks you can try. 1. Don’t Jerk Your Hand Away When a cat bites you, the instinctive reaction is to jerk your hand away, but that is a bad idea. A cat will instinctively bite harder if you do that, the same way that they would if a prey under their grasp tried to escape. Instead of pulling away, try pushing the hand farther into the cat’s mouth. That may seem counterintuitive, but it could mean the difference between getting free and excruciating pain. The move will catch the cat by surprise, prompting them to let go. 2. Don’t Punish Right Away You might be tempted to discipline the cat by shoving or yelling at them after a bite, but that will only fuel the fire. Your cat might interpret it as rough play and keep returning. Moreover, you might overdo it and end up scaring the cat. That could damage your relationship or trigger stress-related behaviors, such as aggression, withdrawal, or urinating outside the litter box. The best reaction in this situation is to leave the scene for several minutes. If you do that enough times, the cat will learn that biting interrupts playtime and stops any form of attention. Image Credit: Sozina Kseniia, Shutterstock 3. Do Not Push Their Limits Learn your cat’s behavior and also to respect their limits. Most cats are ok with just a little bit of cuddles but can suddenly flip when you push those limits. It’s natural cat behavior since they enter into a paradigm where they are enjoying the cuddles but also know that they are making themselves vulnerable. Learning your cat’s limits, as well as any precursor signs, is a super important step to prevent aggression, which should always be the goal and priority. 4. Redirect Them With a Toy Never use your hands or toes when playing with the cat. Moving them around for the kitty to chase will only reinforce the behavior. Next time, they might pounce on and bite them when you are not even looking. Physical play and mental stimulation are essential, and if the cat is using your hand for play, consider buying toys. Ensure you get several interactive ones (at least four) so your cat doesn’t get bored. You can use them to redirect the feline’s attention before they go for your hand. Looking for toys that will cater to the many needs of your cat? The Hepper Hi-lo Cat Scratcher is one of our favorite cat products that is sure to encourage your cat to get active. Its clever three-angle design offers multiple ways for your cat to climb, stretch, and exercise. Made of a sturdy plywood base and a replacement cardboard insert, this scratcher is an option that cats can enjoy for years to come. If your cat requires a little encouragement for self-play, the Hepper Catnip Mice Toy Set is a fantastic choice for their instinctual needs. Made with natural, bite-resistant hessian fabric and filled with organic catnip. Cats can satisfy their natural prey instincts while getting the physical activity they need to thrive.  Image Product Details Hepper Hi-Lo Cat Scratcher Multi-level play Promotes exercise Long-lasting material Check Price Hepper Catnip Mice Toy Set Contains catnip Kitten safe Satisfies prey instinct Check Price At Catster, we've admired Hepper for many years, and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company! 5. Reward Good Behavior One of the most effective ways to change or influence a cat’s behavior is through positive reinforcement, where you encourage good behavior by offering rewards and treats. You can utilize this technique when training your furry friend to stop biting. For instance, whenever the cat goes for the toy instead of your hand, you can encourage the behavior by cuddling them, speaking softly, or offering them a treat. You can also offer treats and praise when your cat uses their soft paw or a gentle rub to get your attention instead of biting. Image Credit: Andriy Blokhin, Shutterstock 6. Keep Your Cat Calm and Relaxed One of the reasons why cats get stressed or frustrated is change. Kitties love the familiar and act out (sometimes through biting) when there are changes in their routine or environment. You can remedy the situation by keeping things consistent, including the time for meals, napping, and playing. Only make changes if necessary. Otherwise, keep the schedule predictable to ensure your cat remains calm and confident. A cat can feel stressed without adequate food, play, or sleep. So, feed them a healthy and balanced diet, and set away time during the day for mentally stimulating play. Also, ensure that their nap schedule is not interrupted. 7. Be Consistent All these tips and tricks will not work unless you’re consistent. If you plan to leave the scene when your cat goes for your hand, you should do that every time. Other household members also need to be onboard since the training won’t work if you are not all doing the same thing. If someone reacts differently, your cat could get confused. Visitors can complicate matters, and it’s better to let them know as well. Image Credit: New Africa, Shutterstock 8. Visit a Vet If you need to speak with a vet but can't get to one, head over to PangoVet. It's an online service where you can talk to a vet online and get the advice you need for your pet — all at an affordable price! Click to Speak With a Vet Your cat can quickly lose their temper if they’re sick or injured. Pain may provoke them to act aggressively by scratching, growling, or biting. Consult a veterinarian if you suspect your cat’s sudden change in behavior is due to an underlying medical condition. The aggression could be pain related, and it’s difficult to tell since cats are good at hiding pain. If your cat is stressed, the vet could also recommend wellness tools and supplements to help the kitty remain calm and relaxed. How to Treat a Cat Bite Image Credit: LS92, Shutterstock Cat bites are dangerous to humans and other pets. Since the punctures are small, they usually seal up quickly, trapping the bacteria inside. One of the most common bacteria is Pastuerella multocida, which is present in 70% to 90% of cats1. If your cat bites you, you need to act fast by doing the following: Press on the wound to flush out the bacteria. Wash the wound with soap and water. Dry and dress the wound. Visit a doctor. Monitor the wound for infection. The doctor will examine you to determine whether you need additional treatment. They might rewash the wound, stitch it up, and prescribe antibiotics. If you suspect an infection is spreading, visit the doctor immediately for treatment. Signs of infection include: Swelling Pain Redness Oozing Fever Conclusion Cat bites can be painful and dangerous. Luckily, it is possible to train your cat to stop the behavior. It’s not a walk in the park and requires a lot of time and patience. Moreover, it won’t work unless you do it consistently. Everyone in your home, including visitors, should follow the plan. Remember, rewards work better than punishment. So, you’ll have a better chance of succeeding if you employ positive reinforcement techniques to increase the cat’s likelihood of repeating desired behaviors. See Also: How to Discipline a Cat for Biting (Tips & Tricks) Sources https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/kitten-behavior-and-training-play-and-investigative-behaviors https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/cat-bite#diseases https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/wounds-cat-bite-injuries-to-humans#:~:text=Cat%20bites%20can%20be%20dangerous,bacteria%20known%20as%20Pasteurella%20multocida. https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/zoonotic-disease-what-can-i-catch-my-cat Featured Image Credit: Marina-Demeshko, Shutterstock The post How to Train a Cat Not to Bite: 8 Vet-Approved Tips and Tricks by Catster Editorial Team appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

The post How to Teach Your Cat to High Five: The Step-By-Step Guide by Catster Editorial Team appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com. Click to Skip Ahead Pre-Training Tips Establish Your “Markers” Choose the Best Time Teach Cat to High-Five Practices to Avoid Looking to teach your cat how to high-five? Wondering exactly how to do it or if your cat is even able to perform such a cool trick? Well, you’ve come to the right place. The truth is that like dogs, cats can be trained to perform certain tricks or respond to behavioral commands. And training is simpler than you may think. With a little bit of positive reinforcement and consistency, you can teach your cat to high-five in a matter of weeks. In this article, we’re going to teach you how to do a high five as well as what not to do. Pre-Training Tips Before you start training your cat, it’s important to note that the process of training your cat should be a fun interaction between you and your feline. So, before you start the training process, be sure that you create the right environment and present the training in a way that’s enjoyable for the cat. It’s common for cats to be a bit apprehensive in some cases, though this may vary with each cat. But overall, both of you should have fun. So, how do you make it exciting? You do this by using what are referred to as ” reinforcers”. This is sometimes easier if understood as a  “reward” or “pay: that a cat will receive when they perform as expected. Most Common Reinforcers will usually fall into three categories: Interactions, such as reaffirming talking, petting, and brushing Toys, such as toy wands, balls, fuzzy mice, etc. Food, rewards such as deli meat, cat treats, and mazes with hidden treats Once your cat is trained to perform a specific command, consider mixing up your reward system so that your cat can learn that performing certain actions will result in something positive. Image Credit: Nils Jacobi, Shutterstock Establish Your “Markers” Training markers or sounds that you establish to immediately let your cat know that it has performed a specific behavior correctly. For example, this can include the use of a clicker, hand claps, or simply saying “Yes” in an excited tone and then offering your cat a treat. Choose the Best Times to Train Cats can be finicky, so they won’t always be as open to training as dogs may be. One of the best things that you can do when training your cat is to choose the appropriate time to perform the training. This is usually when the cat’s in a good mood. So, for example, if your cat hates baths, it’s best not to try to initiate a training session right after bath time. Consider training your cat after mealtime or when the cat is playing with toys and in an excited mood. The 4 Steps to Train Your Cat to High-Five Image Credit: rossiaa33, Shutterstock 1. Show Your Hand Like humans and dogs, cats use their paws to explore the world. To start things off, touch your cat’s paw with your hand, say “yes” and then offer them a treat. After a few repetitions, place your hand “just out of reach”. Your cat will instinctively try to reach your hand, as long as it’s not too far. 2. Wait Stand there for a few seconds with your palm reached out and simply wait for your cat to touch it. Keep in mind that you may need to do this a few times before your cat reacts–but patience is key. 3. Use A Marker As soon as your cat taps your hand, even slightly, use your marker. This will immediately let your cat know that it’s performed a good job. Immediately after, offer your cat a reward, such as a head rub or a treat. Remember, the reinforcers will help your cat associate this activity with “good” things. 4. Move The Hand Up Once your cat is consistently touching your hand you can start to gradually move your hand slightly up, continuing to move the hand until it is at the desired height. Most chose right above the cat’s head as the final height. 5. Remember That Repetition Is Important, but Quit While You Are Ahead A huge mistake many novel trainers make is abusing the session. Cats have a short attention span and it is ideal to finish a training session positively before they lose interest. If you have a small progress, reinforce the cat and finish the session. Offer some playtime, some cuddles, or their meal. You can return later that day or tomorrow. Practices to Avoid When Training Your Cat Image Credit: victoriyasmail, Shutterstock Physical Punishment There is never any reason not to physically abuse or punish your cat in any way. Remember that cats never misbehave to spite you, they simply act on instinct and for a specific purpose. Their natural inclination is to simply try to solve a problem in the best way they know how to do it. So, if you punish your kitten by striking it, rubbing its nose in its messes, putting it on the time out, or yelling, you’ll find that you’ll just make the cat fear you—and this is never good.  Punishing animals is not only counter-productive, but it’s completely inhumane. Not Providing an Enriching Environment Cats are natural hunters with strong instincts for exploration and discovery. When training your cat, it’s essential to provide plenty of mental stimulation and opportunities to satisfy their curiosity. If your cat seems distracted or unfocused during training, it’s likely because they’re bored or has excess energy that needs to be released. Engaging them in interactive play or activities beforehand can help them channel their energy and focus better during training sessions. Looking for toys that will cater to the many needs of your cat? The Hepper Hi-lo Cat Scratcher is one of our favorite cat products that is sure to encourage your cat to get active. Its clever three-angle design offers multiple ways for your cat to climb, stretch, and exercise. Made of a sturdy plywood base and a replacement cardboard insert, this scratcher is an option that cats can enjoy for years to come. If your cat requires a little encouragement for self-play, the Hepper Catnip Mice Toy Set is a fantastic choice for their instinctual needs. Made with natural, bite-resistant hessian fabric and filled with organic catnip. Cats can satisfy their natural prey instincts while getting the physical activity they need to thrive.  Image Product Details Hepper Hi-Lo Cat Scratcher Multi-level play Promotes exercise Long-lasting material Check Price Hepper Catnip Mice Toy Set Contains catnip Kitten safe Satisfies prey instinct Check Price At Catster, we've admired Hepper for many years, and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company! Avoid Negative Reinforcement Negative reinforcement is often confused with “punishment” although they are not exactly the same. Negative reinforcement refers to a training approach that relies on the removal of something unpleasant to encourage a desired behavior. However, many techniques often labeled as negative reinforcement, such as forcing a cat into a position or using aversive tools like shock collars, are not only ineffective but can also cause fear and harm to your cat. These methods create stress and damage the bond between you and your pet. Instead, focus on positive reinforcement by rewarding behaviors you want to encourage with treats, praise, or play. Positive reinforcement builds your cat’s confidence, promotes trust, and creates a more enjoyable learning experience for both of you. Wrapping Things Up To wrap things up, yes, you can teach your cat to perform high-fives, verbalize, and so many other tricks. The key to success with these behaviors is simply breaking a behavior into small-sized, achievable steps, being consistent, and following up with rewards and reinforcers. Also, keep in mind that every cat is different. Older cats may not be as inclined or eager to practice as a young kitten or adolescent cat, so just be patient. Remember to practice when your cat is more open to training, and whenever they show interest in interacting, and remember to quit the session while you are ahead! See Also:  What Are the Acro-Cats? Facts, History & FAQ 20 Cat High Five GIFs We Love: Cute & Funny Kitties Sources https://www.dailypaws.com/cats-kittens/cat-training/cat-training https://felinefoster.org/cat-pawsitive-how-to-train-your-cat-to-high-five/ https://www.petsbest.com/blog/6-steps-to-teach-your-cat-to-high-five/ https://wagwalking.com/cat/training/train-your-cat-to-high-five https://www.petful.com/behaviors/common-mistakes-new-cat-owners/ Featured Image Credit: Svetlana Rey, Shutterstock The post How to Teach Your Cat to High Five: The Step-By-Step Guide by Catster Editorial Team appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

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