Are you on the hunt for help in calming and taming your cat to restore some calm in your home? Welcome, you’ve landed in the right place!
Cats can be very playful. Not all, but most cats, love to romp around, pull on things, and be mischievous. It’s within their curious nature and they cannot help it. Most of the time, it is endearing and cute to watch.
Sometimes, however, it can be frustrating, like when they pull a hole in your favorite shirt… or knock over the flowers in a glass vase because she’s trying to get to the water inside. (Yes, this really happens in our home)
One of our cats, Dizzy, is literally obsessed with water!
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5 tips for taming your cat, no matter their age
Troubling behavior in kitties isn’t always personality related. Sometimes it is your cat’s way of expressing physical pain, emotional pain, or a pressing need for something specific.
No article on taming your cat would be complete without first acknowledging that a visit to your local Vet may be the right choice to make. I have seen multiple behavioral conditions completely disappear once the underlying condition is treated, such as a common condition for cats, urinary tract infections.
Anxiety is also another common cause for some stubborn behaviors that don’t respond well to any of the remedies listed below. If you suspect anxiety, I highly recommend you read my post, “How to Calm Cat Anxiety.” We still use those remedies to this day, and after 2 years, we won’t stop now! You might be pleasantly surprised how well they work for you too!
Now that we have covered some other possible explanations for bad behavior, let’s take a look at some simple ways for taming your cat so you can live in peace again!
Let the music play on! 🎶
In my post, “How To Keep Cats Calm During Home Improvements,” we discussed how certain types of musical frequencies can actually have a calming effect on our cats.
In fact, just tell your smart speaker Alexa to play “calming cat music” and you’ll be serenaded with some classical music meant for only the most brilliant of kitty minds, you see!
If you don’t have a smart speaker in your home, turning on the radio or putting a relaxing CD on repeat might do the trick. Set the volume semi-low to avoid alarming your cat. Their ears are pretty sensitive! When taming your cat is the goal, you definitely don’t want them over-stimulated. The baddest behaviors usually get reserved for those moments! 😉
Kittens can be especially curious about music, so if keeping your kittens entertained is the goal, it could be worth a try!
Never punish your cat
For those training their cat, this is a good tip to take into consideration. Cats simply won’t learn from what some owners would consider “discipline.” Worse yet, “punishing” your cat can induce stress, leading to behavioral and health problems—not something you want to deal with in cat training. Remember that patience and positive reinforcement are essential if you’re learning how to train a cat or are working on taming your cat.
Plenty of playtime is essential
A good play session can reduce tension and get the “happy cat” hormones flowing. It can also reassure your furry friend that things are going to be okay — and it could help you to relax, too. Playing with your cat is just as important as keeping them well-fed and offering a comfortable bed to sleep in.
Without fun, your cat will end up suffering from stress, anxiety, or depression. To do this, it is advisable to set a schedule of games a day, and always follow the same routine to set a pattern. Then, they will know when it suitable to play and when is not.
You can’t always be at home with your beloved cat which is why I love this interactive cat track with floating butterflies. It’s games like those that let your wild child have healthy ways to get rid of playful energy.
Spend plenty of quality time together
Pets usually don’t like being alone, especially for long periods of time. If your work requires long hours or you have other commitments to attend, ensure you make time to spend with your cat.
As many times as possible each day, make time to sit quietly with your cat and give them the kind of affection they like best. Whether that’s a nice brushing, gentle ear-rubs, hugs, letting them curl up with you while you sit quietly, or just a standard petting, the reassurance of your touch will help them feel better.
Taming your cat who tends to be a bit on the hyper side really comes down to them feeling safe and secure. The more time they have with you, to connect with you, the more you provide the comfort they crave.
Over time, you’ll find them relaxing more as their anxiety and insecurity lessen.
Consider a harness for walks
Not everyone is interested in going on walks or expeditions with their cats but a lot of people are. Exploring isn’t just for the dogs, you know!
See? I told you!
There is a trick to taming your cat when going for an adventure is the end goal, though! Standard leashes aren’t recommended for kitties. Harnesses are safer and much more effective. A harness can help tame them and make them aware that safety is key.
Getting your cat used to the harness takes a little time. Before ever putting it on, you leave it out for a few days in areas where your cat goes, like its feeding area or favorite sleeping spot. This helps them get used to seeing and smelling it.
When they are curious enough about it and seem comfortable around it, attach the harness. Once your pet is comfortable with having the harness on, attach the leash to it, and let your cat wander freely inside with it.
After a few days, start holding the leash during training. Then, ease into the great outdoors! Make sure you let your cat take its time exploring a new area and start somewhere quiet.
What are your thoughts?
Here’s a quick recap. If you have a resident wild child, try these 5 quick tips for taming your cat:
- Play soothing music on low volume in common areas of your home
- Don’t neglect spending quality time with your cat. It helps them feel safe!
- Lots of playtime! They need healthy, acceptable ways to burn off energy indoors!
- Don’t punish your cat. It only leads to more anxiety & behavioral problems
- Consider a harness if you’d like to take your cat outdoors on a leash
- ….plus, never forget that anxiety & other health-related issues should be ruled out by a Vet!
Is your catkin well-behaved or mostly mischievous? 😀 Have you tried any of these solutions, or will you be? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below!
As always, I encourage you to share this post with your social media family if you found it helpful. I appreciate you so much! Thank you for your support. You’re like family to me! ❤
All My Love & Healing Purrs,
