A cat will learn rules, but you have to economize. Stick to three or four rules, and try to make them reasonably practical (like "kitty does not get to walk around on the table while the hoomans eat"). Enforce them
consistently by removing the cat from the protected object (or similar), escalate as needed. A piercing hiss at the cat works as a clear warning display, and if done right, spray bottles will be unnecessary. Cats like consistency and firmness in such situations; don't be wishy-washy.
Cats don't have a good memory of cause and effect. If you catch the cat doing something and punishment is merited, mete it out
at that moment. A minute later, the cat will have
no idea why you're being mean to it.
Body language is important, especially the eyes. A cat will stare at you with half-closed eyes to show affection and general coziness. Intent staring can be a lot of things. If there's a contest of wills, don't break the stare, but as soon as kitty wavers, the contest is settled and you won. The "slow blink" from a cat is as good a hint as purring; it means the cat really likes you.
Paring the claws is a skill of its own. De-clawing is barbaric and equivalent to cutting the first joint of a human's fingers. There are two sections to the claw; the outermost part is what you should cut, while deeper in the claw thickens and some capillaries are kept. Do not cut that.
Cats can bite for a variety of reasons. Sometimes, it's used as a warning or a discouragement. Other times (when kitty's feeling particularly mellow and you scratch it on the belly, for instance) it's either play or cuddling, more or less instinctive kitten behaviour.
This is not the cat being nasty -- this is the cat unaccountably convinced you've got fur to protect you against "gentle" biting.
Cats have hunting instincts, some of which are instinctive. They tend to attack cables, biting them in the "neck" to still the nasty serpentine threat. They also don't play well with domesticated rodents, because certain triggers can cause them to attack no matter how good buddies they are. Iguanas and cats go along just fine due to similar body language.
Cats don't like to be held motionless for too long. Some cats like to be scooped up and cuddled for a while, but they'll generally want to decide for themselves when to come up to you (often leading to hilarious drive-by behaviour).
Cats like to fuck with you to ensure your devotion. The list of underhanded tricks by cats in my apartment include:
- Howling whenever she is bored.
- Finding the most well-lit and scenic space and posing there.
- Walking up to you and sitting just far enough away that you must move to scratch her.
- Head-butting you out of love when all you want is to sleep.
- Standing in front of the monitor and refusing to move.
- Protesting in indignant fury when lifted (but not struggling or moving away).
- Whacking a misguided peon on the hand for failing to scratch properly.
Good luck with your new master.
I picked up my cat from the RSPCA about six months ago, haven't looked back since.
. Either shut the door to the bedroom, or be resigned to the fact that your bed = your overlord's bed.
I don't mind the company, but I do mind turnning around in the middle of the night and encountering a faceful of furry cat rear end.
