Training a cat or kitten to do tricks

Training your cat or kitten to do tricks, such as use the litter tray or answer to their name -

Training a cat is possible, though as you can imagine, it is harder than training a dog. Kittens do find it easier to learn new behaviours. Some breeds of cats, such as a Turkish Van breed are very intelligent and may even try to train you!!

Smoggy the moggy cat (Domestic shorthair) in this example is learning to run through a roll of carpet. However, as it's her first time I am starting using food as a reward. After tempting her with food and rolling it into the carpet tunnel, she happily became accustomed and enjoyed going through her new play area - the carpet tunnel.

Your cat or kitten can learn to come when you call their name, use the litter tray, a cat flap or even a few cat tricks.

Here's Smog learning a new trick, with food treats as a reward:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egkPQ4gE59s
Plus here she is doing her new trick:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-5H9iy-UF0

Here's some trainging your cat tips:

1) Train your feline before meals. Note, please don't starve them.

2) 10-15 mins once a day is plenty of training time. Too long and your pussy will become bored.

3) Try not to have distracting noises and activity.

4) Until your cat learns their new trick keep training and rewards the same. Only then can you introduce a new trick to learn.

Cat Snow knocks on window for his cat friend

Cat named Snow is knocking on the window for his best friend, Smog.
Most days, this handsome male cat comes to visit. Normally, he is a clever cat, letting her known he is there by tapping on the window. They go off on cat adventures together.
She is behind you!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrvpJ5iDivw

Cat Amma discovers snow for the first time

The Tale (or Tail) of Simba the Ginger Cat

A Ginger Cat named Simba had been lost for about 2 weeks - there were posters everywhere around my area. He was a handsome cat with unique markings & a little white on the right side of his whiskers (see scan of part of poster). The family and their 2 young boys who had Simba missed him terribly and worried about him.

On Tuesday I had only been back from work for a short while, putting my piece of chicken & jacket potatoe in the oven and letting my Cat Smog out in the garden. She was looking at something in the bushes and didn't want any food, about 7pm. I went out to see what was in the bushes - nothing! I looked up and there was a huge Ginger Cat stuck in a tree - Smog had found the missing Cat. He was huge!! Probably he weighed about 7 kilograms. Smog weighs 5 kilos and Amma (another cat) weighed about 4 kilos. I think he had found his way to the woodlands near me and had been living on mice and leftover meat from sandwiches people had in the woods picnic area. I recognised him as he had that white spot on his face.

I called him down. He wouldn't budge. Was he stuck? Surely the branches were easy for a cat to climb (see pic of Simba in the branches). He was frightened - terrified. I poured him a saucer of milk and put some food down. Bizarrely Cola had the same bowl as Simba (see lost poster). I left the food for a while and then another Cat named 'H' (H as in the letter) who is a Kitler (a cat that looks like Adolf Hitler!!) appeared. H is a big cat too and wanted the food. Maybe Simba the ginger was frightened of him(?). I scared H off and took Smog inside in case the lost cat was frightened of her too. Cats are extremely territorial and won't stand for other cats in theirs unless they have grown up with them, or have very agreeable natures. I phoned the Cat owners, who were on their way. I watched from inside but Simba was not coming down. (Apologies for the bad quality of this photo.)

Before it became dark I went out with the Cat crunchies, shaking the box and calling him. Some neighbours thought I was strange and thought I said, "Timber" to the tree, not Simba. "It's the lost ginger cat!" I said. They said, "It's not lost it's in that tree." I sang 'Soft Kitty' to him as Smog likes people to sing to her. She likes the chorus from the world war 1 song, 'Pack up you troubles in your old kit bag'. She Loves 'The Unkown Stuntman' song, sung by Lee Majors in the 1980s. Smog also loves, 'Kiss me goodnight Sergeant Major, Sergeant Major be a mother to me'. Simba called back to me in Cat language, a mournful meaow. He liked my soft tones.

Smog was inside looking at events in her territory from the window - she was meowing too and wanted to be close to the action and me.

After an hour it was dark. The owners finally arrived, their 2 boys at home - both are probably about 10. James, the owner said, "Actually I don't think its him. Simba has more white on him." I couldn't believe it, after all this time!  Then I shone a torch, and Linda the other owner said, "Yes it's definitely him." Then Simba went further up the tree - further away. I thought they'd call him and Simba would come down and go back to his nice house, where he is loved. 

But no. Simba did not want to come down. In life sometimes things are never so simple. For another hour and a half they and myself called him. We tried putting a plank of wood for him to walk on. We passed cat food to him on the plank - he was hungry. We waved cat toys at him - bits of string, giant feathers. We moved around my close, the alleyway and the back of the garages to coax him down, trying different angles. I could have gone inside, but couldn't leave this poor lost cat, stuck up a tree all night. They said he had never 'called' before with his new meow. He reminded me of 'Gingo', the big ginger cat we had in 1973, (immortalised forever on our family DVD I try and show the nephews at Xmas). If you believe in reincarnation, then maybe Simba was Gingo reincarnated. Maybe Smog is Pepsi (another family cat from the '80s) reincarnated - though none of us can be 100 per cent certain what is in the afterlife. All our cats are probably together again with my  Mum in heaven.

Finally James had enough - it was almost 10pm and his dinner was stone cold. He borrowed my ladder. Climbed over a wall to get to the tree then climbed up the ladder to the tree. Laura gaurded the alleyway in case he tried to escape. I guarded the garages in case he went that way, we were in a triangular pincer movement. James went up the ladder, then climbed the tree (and could have fallen quite far!). Simba was not happy, he whipped out his claws (just like Wolverine's but a lot smaller) - slashing James' arm and hand. He is strong, big cat. James grabbed him despite the pain and brought him down. Simba tried escaping, but couldn't. I had a spare cat basket ready and went around to the wall. James passed the huge cat over the wall to to me - Simba tried to escape down the alleyway. I held him and put him quickly in the cat basket, zipping it up before he could run off. Simba was then calm in the dark basket and started purring contently (you can never tell what felines are going to do next). I cannot explain to you how relieved Linda and James were. They thanked me and said I was a really lovely person to help - I was a rare, good person, to do so much. James washed the blood off his slashed arm in my bathroom, I gave him some antiseptic cream and big plasters for the wounds. They thanked Smog (who I now let outside) - though she was more interested in lapping up the milk I had put down for Simba earlier and scoff the cat food. They wanted to give me a £100 (US $160) - but I refused, if it was Smog that was lost, I thought, then I pray that someone will phone me if they saw her.

They grateful left. My dinner was as hard-as-a-rock by now - I think I will post the Jacket potatoe to the military - maybe they can use it as ammunition. I had something else to eat instead. I phoned Linda an hour later, the 2 boys were over-joyed that Simba was back. She said, they are making a thank-you card for me. I was tired that night, couldn't sleep. Smog was restless too - all these people in her territory at night was unusual. Her friend an old white cat named Snow had seen what was going on, but didn't visit her that evening. Finally I had a couple of hours sleep before morning. Walking to work all the lost cat posters were still up. I've kept one as a little momento.

Training your cat to stop biting or clawing

Preventing Aggression in Cats

One day when I was a child our grey & white Cat, named Pepsi, saw a massive Dalmatian dog walking past his house.  Our cat, a male, calmly puffed up his body to make himself look bigger making a chilling hissing noise.  The dog perplexed backed away a fraction.  Pepsi whipped out his claws, slashing the huge dog near his nose, who howled and ran away - dragging his owner with him, by the lead, who wailed "Who is this terrible cat?"  Pepsi just stared at them as they hurriedly departed.Of course Pepsi was fine with me as a child, as well as my brothers & sister - he grew up with us, so never knew any different than a noisy house with lots of children - we will remember him.  However if your cat has lived all their life in a quiet, private home and you suddenly bring in some energy fueled children they will feel threatened and react defensively.

Play sessions provide the best opportunity to teach your cat not to bite, claw or attack you. Cats will bite and claw when they are playing and acting out their hunting instincts.  This makes playtime ideal to teach your cat that they must be careful and gentle.  The cat is only allowed to play using his paws, not his claws.  They should be taught never to bite you - only their toy.

Begin a gentle game of play fighting or use a toy, string, an old soft toy, a feather or an old cloth is fine.  Praise the cat all the time they remain gentle, you can even give them a cat crunchie as a treat.  A little bit  at a time, increase the excitement and intensity of the game, watching your kit.  As soon as you see that the cat is getting too excited or he begins to expose his claws or teeth, tone down the play session or immediately freeze and play dead - as if you were a dead mouse.  This usually causes a cat to calm down and retract its claws.  If kitty complies, then resume playing. However play must not resume until your cat calms down and retracts his claws.  If your cat bites hard or scratches you, sharply shout stop (or similar), plus immediate stop playing, walk away and ignore the cat.  Cats, especially kittens, love to play.  By abruptly ending a play session is an extremely aid in stopping aggression.  By repeating this over days or weeks, your cat will soon learn that it is their choice of using rough and overly aggressive behavior that causes the abrupt end of an enjoyable play session.

While your cat is learning not to bite and claw you, it is important that you provide cats with something they can pounce on, attack, grab with his claws and sink his teeth into, even for play.  I always have 2 scratching posts in different areas inside.
Cats are of course predators, and most predators cannot exercise restraint.  I have seen a lioness hunt down a whole herd of wild donkeys - when one would have been more than enough for three days food.  Even though at home, you provide your cat with all his meals, his instinct to hunt still exists and will always be part of his nature.  Thus you should provide an outlet for this behavior or your cat will love playing and testing their  hunting skills on you and their toys.  It simply is not enough to leave a few balls, string and other cat toys around and hope they will use these entertain them.  By making the toys fun (made or adapted toys from anything at hand) your cat will appreciate the play.  Play should be similar to interactive game between you and your cat.  Try to stimulate your cat's interest and participation - often the adapted toys from bits of string and old fluffy toys can give the most pleasure in their originality.

Despite being warm, furry, adorable exterior of cat is an animal when they are upset many will bite and scratch. Instinctively pouncing and attacking - It's in their nature.  For thousands  of years Cats have been highly territorial.  A cat, especially an indoor cat, can become very stressed and worried if their territory is being invaded by other animals of even new children.  Unless a cat has been raised with other pets and has been socialized with them, most will be happy by themselves - if you introduce a new pet or child, go gently.  Also remember, if the Cat becomes over-stimulated after 5 minutes of petting and stroking, then stop at 3 minutes.  If a cat is frightened or feels threatened, it will naturally try to defend itself. Don't push them.

Try one or two 5 minute to 15 minute play sessions a day - which helps venting your cats excess energy as well as fulfilling his predatory instincts.  If however, your cat still sneak-attacks you, get some plant sprayers with water and place around the house.  Two or three defensive-squirts sequence should convince him or her to attack their toys instead of you!

Comments or thoughts welcome.  We also discuss more cat training techniques on Twitter & YouTube.

Amur Leopard and Tiger Alliance's reintroduction program

Update readers on the 'Amur Leopard and Tiger Alliance's' reintroduction program...

...In Russia's far east of the critically endangered Amur Leopard, ALTA is doing everything they can to save this noble beast for generations to come. I am a long-term supporter and contribute in a small way to this, most worthiest of causes. For more details & donations, here is a link to their site: 

http://www.altaconservation.org/amur-leopard/amur-leopard-reintroduction/

There are thought to be just 35 wild Amur Leopards in Russia's far east. Each year ALTA conducts a census of Leopards using camera's to photograph as many leopards as possible. The Amur Tiger (also known as the Siberian Tiger) is also facing similar problems and likely extinction, unless poaching and habitat loss is stopped immediately - unlikely as demand from China for tiger parts is increasing.

Recently known amur leopards are still living and thriving in the wilds of Russia, despite all the odds stacked against them from poaching, habitat loss, forest fires, inbreeding and other problems. 

The WCS's 2011 camera monitoring survey took 156 photo's including this nice picture of a very unique individual that I'm nicknaming 'Bobtail the Amur Leopard' thanks to ALTA & ZSL (Zoological Society of London) for the photo from their website (see link above). It's possible that another leopard damaged  his tail as a cub or in an adult fight:

Interestingly Bobtail has been identified as Pp16 by the scientists. There was 17 leopards in total identified (presumably Pp01 to Pp17), though only 2 of these were cubs. As males have a greater range it's also likely that more males than females were 'camera trapped'.

Camera traps have been able to capture photos of the ultra rare wild amur leopards, whose spots are unique to each individual. In 2010 there were 12 identifiable leopards (from 63 photos); 9 identifiable leopards were photoed in 2009 (though another 72 other photos could not identify the sepcific leopard); 8 identifiable leopards were photoed in 2008; 13 identifiable leopards were photographed in 2007.

With continued support the leopards can return to this protected area in Russia, as the region has a plentiful supply of food for these rare leopards. There are also plans to reintroduce some cubs from the Amur Leopards kept in zoo's throughout USA, Europe and Russia. In other parts of the world, the leopard who is supremely adaptable to all climates has lived beside humans, despite all the odds against this. In our lifetime we should see this amazing creature take it's rightful place in this cold, hard land that has been home to leopards for millenia.

Did you know these things about cats & kittens?

Interesting facts about cats & their kittens:

• Cats usually have 5 toes on both their front paws but only 4 toes on their back paws. Cat's with more are called 'polydactyl'.
• Cat's hearing is so good, that the ultrasonic sounds mice make can be heard by them. Often when you call them from far away they will hear - try shaking their cat crunchies and see how quick they return!
• Cats sleep for 66% of their day.
• A group of cats is called a “clowder”
• Cats cannot taste 'sweet' instead they have a range of bitter taste's which help detect if food is safe to eat.
• 'Schrödinger's cat' is a thought experiment, devised by Austrian physicist Erwin Schrödinger in 1935 and recently made famous by a top US sitcom.
• Cat's do not have a collar bone.
• In 1963, a cat named Felicette travelled into outer space.
• Usually a cat's eye-sight is fantastic. At night they can see better than most creatures, with  superb peripheral vision.
• If a cat's tail shakes near you it means they love you. Cat's emotions are similar to human's. Also they will know when you are speaking lovingly to them or if you are yelling at them. Your cat will not care if he/she gets into trouble though as they cannot understand.
• Cats perspire through their paws.
• One cat reached 36 years old back in 1939. An English cat named Puss. Some exceptional cat's can reach 17 or even 20 years old - let us know how old your cat is.