How to Handle and Litter Train Your Cat

Although caring for a cat takes less effort than taking care of a dog, there are certain rules on how to handle and house a cat. If you recently adopted or purchased a cat, be prepared for its needs by having the essential cat-care equipment ready. A wide variety of products are available. Shop around to make good choices. Once you have the basic equipment, such as food and water bowl, litter box and scoop, bedding, a cat carrier for travel, and toys you will be ready to care for you new pet. This article will review some of the rules on how to handle a cat and tips on housing your new pet.

If you like to touch and hold your pets, learning how to properly lift and hold a cat is essential. First, approach the cat cautiously. Do not grab it; ideally you want it to approach you first. Begin contact with gentle stroking to gain trust with you cat. After your cat is used to your touch, you can pick it up. Hold the cat with one hand under its chest and the other under its hind legs. Let the sternum rest in the hand. Lift the cat gently, drawing it toward your chest. Give full support to it hind legs. Now that you know how to lift a cat, you will need to learn how to properly hold your cat.

Most cats enjoy being picked up and held, but only on their terms. Typically, cats do not like being held for more than a short period of time. If you stroke the cat while you hold it, it will be reassured and restful. However, once it starts to struggle, let it down. If you hold a cat against its will, it may scratch or even bit you. If you have a kitten, you can easily hold it. You can cradle the kitten in the palm of your hand, supporting its hold body. If you own an adult cat, you can hold it in your arms by resting the cats' paws in the crook of your arm. Or, you can also hold the cat on your shoulders by putting the paws on once shoulder while supporting the hind legs.

Although knowing how to handle your cat is important, what's more important is litter training. There are two types of litter boxes available: covered and open. The advantage of a covered box is that if your kitten is shy it will be more comfortable using a private area. If your cat does not use the litter box, it may find the litter odor offensive; luckily there is a variety of litters available. There is reusable litter which is washable but non-absorbent. Fiber based litter absorbs liquid well and fuller earth litter is made from natural clay. Before filing the box with litter, line it with newspaper or litter-box liner.

Once the litter box is set up, the next step is to litter train your cat. First, place the litter box in a quiet corner. When the cat looks as if it is ready to use the litter, it will crouch with its tail raised, place it in the litter box. A natural instinct will tell the cat to cover up its feces with the litter. If the cat relieves itself outside the litter box, never rub its nose in the mess. The odor will tell the cat that this it is toilet area and it will return to it and create a nasty habit.