Local Holiday Shopping for Your Pets: Plymouth, MA

Local Holiday Shopping for Your Pets: Plymouth, MA

With the weather getting colder, it serves as a reminder that the holidays are just around the corner and holiday shopping is underway! If you are like us, the fur babies go at the TOP of the shopping list, and budgets have wiggle room to ensure we spoil our babies. When planning to shop, it’s a great idea to shop locally. Whenever possible, choosing a local small business should be a priority. Supporting our local businesses can go a long way in our communities, and as we head into the busiest shopping month of the year, may we all remember the importance of choosing local and shopping small.

To help you plan your holiday shopping trips, we have put together a list of local shops and makers right here in America’s Hometown of Plymouth, MA. Together we can make a big difference in our town by keeping our money where our paws are.

Pet Supplies Plus Plymouth

Pet Supplies Plus is a must-stop shop for pet owners this holiday! Located off exit 6 in the Stop & Shop plaza in Plymouth, Pet Supplies Plus is a locally owned and operated franchise store. They offer everything from dozens of pet food options to hundreds of fantastic toys as well as a whole lot in between. Their inventory covers just about every pet under the sun, including hamsters, reptiles, and fish! One trip here, and you are sure to knock out every pet on your list and provide hours and hours of pet entertainment in the process.

JAC Mascot Quinn at Morrisons Plymouth MA

Quinn loves seeing his friends at Morrison’s!

Morrison’s Home & Garden & Pet

In this all stop shop, you can grab some home hardware to get your holiday decorations up and some pet supplies for your Pet! Morrison’s loves pets and they believe in supplying and spoiling your pet to the best quality of foods and products. And, your dog is welcome to join you – Quinn loves Morrison’s! They offer a wide range of foods and treats that your pet is sure to love. Whether you’re picking up your tree, or purchasing some lights, be sure to stop by the pet section. Morrison’s is a great place to stock up on stocking stuffers for all the fur babies in your life!

Carberry Kitchen

This delightful business makes delicious treats for our deserving pups that keep them happy and healthy. They offer a variety of flavours that your pups are sure to love. Each small batch treat bag is full of locally sourced, wholesome ingredients and a whole lot of love. Whether your dog is picky or will eat anything, they are sure to enjoy these tasty treats. Whenever I’m treating a client, the neighbor’s pups, or my dog, the Carberry Kitchen bag never fails to get their attention. If pups could talk, they would say, “Buy the Carberry treats!” ALWAYS! You can find Carberry Kitchen products in stores all over Plymouth and online. Some stores that sell Carberry Kitchen products in Plymouth are: Made It (Waterfront), Clements Market (Manomet), The Market (Pine Hills), Papa’s Pets Supply (Manomet).

How to support local for FREE!

The holidays may be a bit different again this year. After the pandemic, our shopping patterns have changed. In-person shopping may not be as popular as it once was. Nonetheless, if you still desire to help the local shops and makers in your area, here are 6 FREE ways to show your support!

  1. Write a positive review
  2. Spread the word! Tell your friends and family
  3. Follow them on social media
  4. Subscribe to their newsletter/Join their email list
  5. Share their content, ex. blog link. Give them a shout-out!
  6. Engage with their social media. Like, comment, & share.

Be sure to check how you can shop for your gifts this year. If you’re ever unsure of the gifts to get others, you can always purchase a gift certificate for any of your local businesses. This is another excellent way to support and promote local businesses.

Just Around the Corner offers pet care of all kinds, including daily Dog Walking, Dog Hiking, and Pet Sitting in Plymouth, MA. To learn more about how Just Around the Corner can help, check out our Services Page. You can also Contact Us for more information. Be sure to Like us on Facebook and Follow us on Instagram!

 

 

5 Ways to Keep you Dog Calm During Fireworks

5 Ways to Keep you Dog Calm During Fireworks

Fireworks are often a terrifying experience for our pets, especially dogs. Since dogs are so much more sensitive to sound, fireworks can cause stress and anxiety and cause dogs to seek a safe haven. July 5th is usually the busiest day of the year for Animal Shelters due to so many pets getting lost trying to get away from the BOOMS of Fireworks. Since fireworks in the summer are inevitable, we share 5 ways to keep your dog calm during fireworks so that your family can enjoy a relaxing summer celebrating from the comfort and safety of your home.

 

1.  Provide a safe space for your Dog

Creating a space where your pup can go to feel safe and protected during a scary time (e.g. Fireworks or severe storms) will ease their anxiety. A crate is a great place to start. Include a bed, add their favorite blanket, give them a few toys for comfort and their cozy den will feel like a safe house when things get loud or spooky. If you have extra space or are hosting a party, reserve a quiet room for your pets that they can escape to when things get overwhelming. Setting up an intentional space for them to feel safe is vital, so they have more options than just hiding under your bed or in the bathtub.

Calm dog with sparkles and owner

2.  Desensitize your pet to Fireworks

Playing videos or recordings of Fireworks at home in short spurts can help your dog become more comfortable with the “real thing.” Using a YouTube Fireworks Video is a great place to start. Be sure not to overdo it, as these can also make your dog more sensitive to loud noises if over-exposed. If, after a couple of these sessions, your dog’s reaction has not eased, you may want to switch gears. Try playing music or watching TV recordings of outdoor festivities that mimic the sounds of celebrations and fireworks as practice for the real thing.

Changing the visual atmosphere of the room can also help your dogs receive fireworks more easily. Closing the curtains can help muffle the sound and hide the visual flashing component, which can also cause alarm. A dark place with sounds coming from a distance can help our dogs handle fireworks better.

 

3.  Exercise!

Never underestimate the power of EXERCISE! Taking your dog for a nice long walk in the morning will help ease their anxiety in the evening. As the saying goes, “A tired pup is a happy pup.” Having been properly exercised, they are more likely to sleep or feel relaxed during stressful times later in the day. Be sure to take proper care when exercising your dog during the summer months. We recommend walking your dog during morning hours when the temperatures are cooler, and the ground is not hot or harmful to their paws. After their morning exercise, they will have no energy left to be fearful or anxious about fireworks or storms occurring in the evenings.

Dog loves July 4th!

4.  Be home with your Dog during Firework times

This option is not for everyone, but if possible, stay home with your pet during prime fireworks hours. Your presence will provide the best possible comfort to your four-legged baby. Being home allows you to problem solve, distract, and pivot as needed. When you are home, you can adjust the TV volume and put on or take off their Thundershirt, as needed. The Thundershirt is another great tool to keep dogs calm during stressful times by creating comfort and calm.

Giving delicious treats or playing with their favorite toys will keep their mind off their anxiety and distract them as well.

The way you act also affects your dogs. A calm non-distraught owner will convey calmness to their pets in any situation. Overall, your dogs will be happier and more confident knowing you are with them.

If you cannot be home, you may want to purchase a Dogness Smart Camera with a treat dispenser. This will allow you to keep a close eye on your pet and provide a delicious distraction for them until they are safe in your arms again.

 

5.  Talk with your Vet

If you implement the above tips and your pet is still riddled with anxiety, reach out to your veterinarian. There are many calming agent options a vet can recommend for your pet. This includes anything from all-natural CBD oils to calming chews as well as over-the-counter and prescription medications. The pet may also recommend specific trainers or training techniques to help your dog feel comfortable around loud noises and fireworks. Your Vet will be able to guide you in the best direction given your dog’s history and current state.

 

As pet parents, we intend to keep our fur babies safe. Fireworks, and our pets’ reactions to them, can be unpredictable. These 5 ways to keep your dog calm during fireworks are just some suggestions to help your dogs during the firework season. Pets still escape from homes despite our best efforts, so please make sure your pet comes home safely by keeping their ID tags updated. Microchipping your pets will also help quickly identify them in case they run away. Be sure to include your pets’ name, a working phone number, and your current street address in the identification.

Share this FREE infographic to spread the word and keep pets safe this 4th of July!

Just Around the Corner offers daily Dog Walking and Pet Sitting in Plymouth, MA. To learn more about how Just Around the Corner can help, check out our Services Page. You can also Contact Us for more information.

 

How to Ease Your Pet’s Separation Anxiety

How to Ease Your Pet’s Separation Anxiety

Given the amount of time we have been spending with our fur babies during the “Stay At Home” order, we can expect our pets to experience some form of separation anxiety. Easing your pet into their pre-pandemic routines may be a challenge as we return to work and the outside world. We have come up with five ways on how to ease your pet’s separation anxiety. These steps will allow for a smoother transition into a routine for the changes to come.

What is separation anxiety?

Separation anxiety occurs most commonly when an animal is hyper-attached to their human. They feel abandoned when they are separated from someone they spent so much time with. This can manifest in different ways for different pets. Some pets become more vocal or destructive, and others become quieter. Some signs of separation anxiety include:

  • Vocalization: howling/whining/barking or excessive barking
  • Destructive chewing furniture/ personal belongings (destructive behavior)
  • Inappropriate urination (peeing outside the litter box or on the owner’s clothes)
  • Scratching at the door/destructive behaviors
  • Shaking/Shivering
  • Refusing to eat
  • Become quiet or withdrawn

Generally, these behaviors start once you begin your routine to leave home, or after you have left. Picking up your keys or putting on your coat will be a sign your pet will associate with departure. These sound like some daunting characteristics, but rest assured, separation anxiety can be aided and even eliminated from the pet given the proper care and training in most cases.

Here are five ways on how to ease your pet’s separation anxiety.

Practice your ‘exit routine’ without the exit

How many times have you gone to put your shoes on to leave the house, and one of them has magically disappeared? That is because our pets KNOW what it means when we put our shoes on. Try doing the final few steps of your exit routine without actually exiting. Put on your shoes, grab your keys, wallet/handbag, and then stay home. Instead of leaving, give your pet extra loving, maybe a treat, belly rubs and reassurance. When you do this, your pet will start to disassociate those “exit actions” with you leaving the house. Do this several times a day as you lead up to the actual exit date. If you have already begun working outside of the home, you can still practice this technique during periods of being home, such as evenings, weekends, etc.

Good Old Entertainment

We would be a little anxious listening to ourselves breathe all day while missing our favorite person. Our pets can also get anxious and distressed from the silence. Give your fur baby some light entertainment while you are away. Whether it’s the radio, music, the TV, or even an audiobook, leaving something on with a human voice will make them feel like someone is there with them. This is a simple way to comfort your pet and give you some peace of mind knowing there is something to keep them company while you are away.

calm kitty with frog toy

Help your pet to stay calm even when they miss you

Stay Calm

Humans emit pheromones that our pets can smell. These hormone-like chemicals tell our pets when we feel nervous, fearful, or anxious. Our anticipation of knowing our pets will be anxious when we leave can cause us to emit those chemicals, adding to their separation anxiety and emotional distress. If you can’t help but feel worried about leaving them, pop a mint or piece of gum into your mouth to throw them off your scent.

Pawsitive Association

Pawsitive association works for our sweet kitties and slobbery pups by rewarding their good behaviour through toys or treats. For this behavior modification exercise, try purchasing a new toy that you only bring out when you leave. This will give them something positive to enjoy while knowing you are leaving. If the way to your pet’s heart is through their stomach, then have a special snack on hand. Tuna juice for cats or frozen peanut butter Kongs for pups are great treats. This will keep them busy as you head out the door and leave them with the fondest of memories of you as they snack away!

Exercise and Interaction with Other Humans

Exercise and interaction are a fantastic way to build up your pet’s confidence and ultimately relieve much of their anxiety. Spending a designated time walking your dog or playing with your cat before you leave will also tire them out. Try to plan your day out thoughtfully and include them into your daily routine. This will not only help them get into a daily schedule, but the exercise and play will also be good for their physical and psychological well-being. Remember, a tired pet is a calm pet, which guarantees peace of mind.

If you have been home around the clock over these last several months, chances are both you, and your pet will feel a void when the time comes to part ways. Hiring a midday dog walker or cat sitter is a great way to make sure the transition is smooth for both of you. A dog walker will make sure your pup gets fresh air and great exercise to prepare them for the second half of their day while waiting for mom/dad to arrive home. A cat sitter can come by during the day for some playtime and a treat or two. Having “outsiders” come into the home will help your pet become more adaptable. This ultimately places less hyper-attachment on you, giving you a happier, healthier, less anxious relationship.

If you are concerned with cross-contamination when considering hiring a dog walker, cat sitter, or pet sitter, check out our Covid safety measures to learn all about the safety guidelines Just Around the Corner Pet Sitting and Dog Walking is implementing. We believe in keeping our clients, their fur babies and our employees safe during these unique times. Together we can ease our pet’s separation anxiety while creating a safe and healthy environment for everyone.

Have experience with an anxious pet as a pet owner? Let us know how you helped them overcome and ease Separation Anxiety in the comments below.

 

 

 

 

Cleaning Your Home the Pet Friendly Way

Cleaning Your Home the Pet Friendly Way

Having a clean home protects us from harmful bacteria and viruses and creates a healthy and comfortable atmosphere. For homes with pets, cleaning your home in a pet-friendly way is essential. Household cleaners are a common cause of poisoning for cats and dogs, so you must know which cleaning products are safe and pet friendly.

Effects of Toxins

Toxins are bad for our health and are harmful to the planet. Many people think you have to ingest the chemical for it to be dangerous. However, toxins are just as damaging to breathe in as to be around. These toxins pose a threat to us and our pets. The contact made with these chemically cleaned surfaces can negatively affect our pets’ health.

Inhaling or ingesting chemicals can have dangerous effects on our pets, especially with their heightened senses of smell. Being around toxic chemicals can cause dizziness, headaches or nausea. Ingesting poisonous chemicals can have life-threatening effects. If you think your pet has ingested a chemical, take them to the vet right away.

Going Green and Pet-Friendly

There’s no time like the present to change your ways. You can make your natural products at home. These DIY products will be safe for your family, including your pets, and you’ll know everything that’s in them. It’s also quick, easy and cost-effective!

Making homemade pet-friendly cleaning products does save you money in the long run. However, pet-friendly and green products are popular in the market and can be purchased commercially. Make sure you do your research before buying any cleaning product.

Many healthy alternatives

Getting Started

Many people don’t want to throw out the commercial products that they have on hand – and rightly so. We recommend starting simple and gradually swapping your commercial cleaners for pet-safe and homemade organic products as you finish those toxic bottles. We promise it’s a lot easier than it seems!

When you’re ready to replace your old chemicals, we recommend you start collecting the following products:

  • Spray bottle
  • Distilled water or boiled (then cooled) tap water
  • Box of baking soda
  • Table salt
  • Bottle of white distilled vinegar
  • Oils (almond, olive, vitamin E, mineral, coconut)
  • Castile Soap (bar or liquid form)
  • Fresh lemons.
  • Washcloths or old rags
  • Pure, essential oils (which are great for their antiseptic, antibacterial qualities) smell so good: Rosemary, tea tree, lavender, rosemary, peppermint, and lemongrass are just a few).

A simple search online can result in many free recipes. From carpet cleaning, carpet stains, floor cleaning and eliminating pet odors, there is a recipe for all household cleaners. With these natural ingredients, you can create many organic pet-safe cleaning products for all your household chores.

Helpful Resources

If you prefer to have a personal copy of pet-safe organic cleaning products, we recommend the book “The Organically Clean Home: 150 Organic Cleaning Products” by Becky Rapinchuk. It comes with simple instructions on how you can get started. It also contains many practical hints along the way. This book has received great reviews, and it’s FREE if you subscribe to kindle unlimited!

Here’s a sample of an easy pet-safe recipe from “The Organically Clean Home: 150 Organic Cleaning Products”:

Liquid Dishwasher Detergent

What you need:

1 cup of castile soap

¼ cup distilled water (or tap water that is boiled and cooled)

1 teaspoon of lemon juice

5 drops of essential oil (lemon)

Combine the ingredients, and voila! Use one tablespoon of the mixture per load and run your dishwasher as you normally would. Becky suggests putting distilled white vinegar in your dishwasher’s rinse compartment if you’re worried about hard water spots. This detergent also lasts and has a 3-week shelf life!

Contact Us

We believe that cleaning your home in a pet-friendly way can not only improve your pet’s life but your life as well. These organic mixtures and cleaning remedies will give you one less thing to worry about your pet’s health and safety. If you would like to know about the pet-safe cleaning products we use for pet sitting and disinfecting, please contact us.

Just Around the Corner offers daily Dog Walking , Dog Hiking, and Pet Sitting in Plymouth, MA. To learn more about how Just Around the Corner can help, check out our Services Page. You can also Contact Us for more information. Be sure to Like us on Facebook and Follow us on Instagram!

We’d love to hear what your “go-to” natural cleaning products are? Happy cleaning!

 

How to Cat Proof Your Home

How to Cat Proof Your Home

Whether you have a cat, are about to bring home your first, or are pet sitting a kitty in your home for a short time cat proofing your home is a must. Anytime we prepare to bring cat into our home no matter how long or short their stay, we must first make their environment safe and secure. Not only is this crucial for keeping the cat safe throughout their time in your home but it provides much peace of mind for you too. Let’s break down every room of your house to share the best ways to cat proof your home.

A cat playing with a cord of a set of blinds

A cat playing with a cord of a set of blinds

Living Room

Tie up blind cords. Oh, the fascination of a long, lanky blind cord! While these common ribbons of material are the best thing since catnip to our kitties, they pose certain dangers that you want to avoid. Playtime with a blind cord can quickly turn into a tangled mess escalating fear and frustration in our kitties. A caught paw could become a broken bone and even, God forbid, a choking hazard almost immediately. Avoid disaster and tie up those intriguing blind cords.

Hide electrical cords. Who doesn’t love a long cord to play with, chew on, and even befriend? Well maybe not you, but your cat sure does. Wherever possible secure all electrical cords either tightly against a wall or hidden in a space your cat cannot reach. Avoiding electrocution is key to being a successful cat parent, hide the electrical cords.

Cover outlets. If you are a cat owner already you know that felines have an innate sense of what they are not supposed to do and go right for it, right? These curious little areas on the wall are no exception. Electrocution aside, their claws can easily get stuck in the tiny holes of an outlet and cause major pain.

Candle with care. Flames are intriguing to our curious kitties. Be sure to always place your candle up high or in an area that your cat cannot or will not get to. Even when a candle is not lit avoid letting the candle become a play toy. Once a cat feels like something is theirs to play with, whether it is lit or not, they will not make a distinction between times they can and cannot play with it. Candle with care my friends.

Check if a plant is poisonous before bringing it into your home. Always, always, always check here to see if a plant is poisonous to your pets before bringing it into your home. There is a surprising amount of quite common plants that are poisonous to our beloved fur babies. Do not assume, always check the poisonous plants to pets list first!

A cat smelling a poisonous poinsettia

A cat smelling a poisonous poinsettia

Kitchen

Stovetop safety. This is more about a “redirection” routine for when your cat decides to dance on the stove top. Establish a ground rule that being on the stovetop, no matter when, is never allowed to keep your curious felines save. Whether you use a spray bottle or blow a whistle to signal the current action is not acceptable, decide what works for you and choose something your cat can understand.

Keep drawers and cabinets closed.  The kitchen houses many potentially dangerous items so it is best to avoid “playtime” all together in this area. In addition, be mindful of closing cabinets and drawers immediately after use. We all know how sly and quick our kitty cats can be and the next thing you know they are playing with the Ninja blade at the back of your corner cabinet! Keep cabinets and drawers closed and keep your kitty safe.

Countertop awareness. Remember that there is a cat constantly roaming around every room of your home looking for interesting things to play with. Do not leave hot pots/pans or other potential dangerous yet intriguing kitchen tools unattended. When not in the kitchen clear your countertops of any knives, blenders, mandolins, etc. Your cat may never show an interest in being on the kitchen counter, but don’t underestimate the power of a bored cat. You can never be 100% sure a cat won’t do something, am I right?

Keep trash securely covered. Keeping the trash covered always is extremely important. After all, what we put into these shiny barrels is TRASH. Whether it’s rotten food, raw chicken packaging, or plastic bottle ties (which we sincerely hope you cut up before placing in your bin) nothing good comes from a cat getting into a trash can. Avoid a choking catastrophe or an emergency vet visit be putting a lid on it.

Bedroom/ Office Space

Keep nightstands and desks clear of potentially dangerous items.  We all have our evening routines whether putting on creams, taking nightly meds, or even sewing up a hole in your spouse’s work shirt. Kitty thinks wahoo! It doesn’t get much more intriguing than string with a shiny needle attached or the chattering sound of pills when they bat at the container with their paw. Whatever your routine looks like be sure to have a proper place to securely put those items away when they are not actively being used.

Hide mothballs. Do not leave mothballs out in the open. Always hide them in a drawer or up on a shelf in your closet. Place them anywhere that your cat cannot get to as they are toxic to our precious kitties. 

Research your essential oils. Not all essential oils are safe for pets. If you love running your diffuser even just occasionally be sure to research the types of oils you are using first. Click here for a list of oils that are toxic to pets.

Cat smelling a flower and essential oils

Cat smelling a flower and essential oils

Bathroom

Cover the trash. Just like the kitchen these curious bins that house all the things their humans don’t want/need anymore is just too much not to play with. Dental floss in particular must be avoided as it can easily be ingested and cause major intestinal issues. Keep all trash bins throughout your home covered for optimum pet safety.

Always put the toilet seat lid down. This is particularly important for new kitties. They can easily slip and fall into the toilet bowl when trying to climb the toilet. Avoid disaster by simply keeping the toilet seat cover closed.

Laundry Room

Safety container for detergent. Laundry detergent not only smells wonderful, but it looks exciting too! This is particularly true of those convenient detergent pods that are so popular these days. After all, to a cat those colorful pods are the perfect size for them to play with and who can avoid sinking their teeth into the rubbery, ooey gooey-ness?! Avoid temptation and keep all detergents and fabric softeners in a secured cabinet or container.

Keep washer and dryer doors closed. You have heard the horror stories, don’t let it happen to you! Always close the doors to your washer and dryer to keep your kitty out. If you need to air out the washer be sure to check that your cat is not anywhere in the room before shutting the door to the laundry room itself. Only then should you leave the door to one of these machines open.

Double check before starting a new laundry cycle. Even when we exercise proper precaution and keep the doors to our washer and dryer closed our kitties can act in the blink of an eye. Always doublecheck the drum of your machines for your curious kitty before shutting the door and starting a new wash/dry cycle.

Hazardous household materials

Hazardous household materials

Storage Spaces

Store Chemicals and hazardous materials safely. From car oil to rock salt always keep chemicals and other hazardous materials in proper bins, containers, or out of reach locations. Even if you keep all these items in your garage where your cat “never goes” we all have had those moments with Felix senses a mouse or gets the itch to run out the door into the garage for no apparent reason. It is better to be safe than sorry. Keep hazardous materials safe and secure to avoid disaster.

There you have it! With every room in the house safely secure for your fur baby to live, play, and love as they please you can enjoy peace of mind and harmony. Just remember, never underestimate the power of curiosity in your cat. Have experience cat proofing your home? Share your tips in the comments below!

Just Around the Corner offers daily Dog Walking , Dog Hiking, and Pet Sitting in Plymouth, MA. To learn more about how Just Around the Corner can help, check out our Services Page. You can also Contact Us for more information. Be sure to Like us on Facebook and Follow us on Instagram!

 

5 Useful Cat Training Tips

5 Useful Cat Training Tips

The happiest homes are the ones that operate in harmony for both kitties and kitty owners. Are you dying to finally get your cat’s spraying under control? Or maybe you just want to own one piece of furniture that isn’t completely destroyed from Lily’s incessant scratching. Maybe you just wish Sebastian wasn’t so skittish. First and foremost, the idea that “cats can’t be trained” should be smashed as you move into the first steps of cat training. It is important to be of the mindset that our cat’s unwanted behaviors are natural but do not have to be permanent. Whether you have a new kitten who needs the foundation of house rules or you have an adult cat who could use some corrective instructions, these Five Training Tips will have your cat-occupied household living in harmony in no time.

1.      Avoid Punishment

When training a cat or working to correct certain behaviors it is important to remember not to scold, swat, or make threatening sounds or movements. Punishing reactions will instill fear in your cat and create a hostile environment, leading to nervous “misbehaviors” causing more frustration for everyone involved. While it may be challenging not to burst out at your cat when they scratch your favorite armchair or urinate in the study rather than the litter box, yelling or hitting is a short-term solution to what can become a long-term problem. Above all, remember to pause a moment before reacting. Take a few deep breaths, and then proceed with a corrective behavior rather than a punishing one.

2.      Deterrence and Corrective Behavior

As you take a moment to breathe, racking you brain for positive alternatives to unleashing your present frustration, consider having a sound that will signal “No” to your cat and one or two corrective steps to follow. For example: A clap or clicker will get the cat’s attention followed by you lovingly picking them up and removing them from the armchair they are scratching away on. Chances are they are scratching your special chair because it smells like you and they are just trying to mix their scent with yours. Isn’t that sweet! Try moving a scratch pole next to the area they love to go to town on as an acceptable alternative. Repeat this process and soon you will only need the whistle followed closely by your cat going straight for the scratch pole every time!

A photo of an indoor cat receiving positive reinforcement via a treat

A photo of an indoor cat receiving positive reinforcement via a treat

3.      Pawsitive Reinforcement

Now that you are seeing pawsitive results from deterring and correcting certain behaviors it’s time to show your kitty some appreciation! As your cat begins to adjust their misbehavior to preferred behavior, they are putting in hard work that you as their owner should be recognizing. When we break a bad habit we often look and hope for some type of reward at the end of the tunnel, right? Like us, our sweet kitties need positive reinforcement to rest assured they are doing it “correctly” (until they get used to it) and to promote listening/learning for the future. For example, my boy kitty, Blue, is a great cat in all ways but one – he never really learned to “squat” in the litter box, and when he pees his aim is always towards the wall. We tried several types of boxes, had the vet check for medical issues, and used other deterrents to fix his ‘direction’. What ended up working best is noticing when he squats and praising the heck out of him as he pees. He really soaks it up, and the wanted behavior becomes more frequent. Try one of the positive reinforcements below with your kitty.

  • extra loving
  • treats
  • time playing with them
  • cat nip

4.      Nature vs Nurture

By nature, cats scratch, climb, and hunt so when we can provide activities and opportunities that allow for these behaviors in an acceptable manner it’s a big win for your kitty. In addition to easing their natural instincts we as cat owners should spend time actively playing and engaging with our cats part of every day. As we play with our kitties those natural instincts can kick in, and gentle play can turn intense quickly. To avoid playtime escalation, use many different toys to keep changing their focus and avoid letting them latch onto YOU. If your cat starts to play forcefully give them a toy and remove yourself from playtime. Not engaging in the aggressive behaviors will signal to your cat it is unacceptable. See the list below for a few ways to nurture their natural instincts in your home.

  • Window watching perch
  • Mouse or bird-like toys
  • Climbing tower
  • Fountain

 

5.      Litter Box 101

Luckily there have been cat owners who have gone before us and discovered a few rules of thumb when it comes to litter box etiquette. If you are having trouble getting your cat to consistently use the litter box you provide it is possible that one of these faithful rules is being missed even if only by a hair, literally. Proper litter box etiquette is as follows.

  • One box per cat plus one. Ex. 1 cat = 2 boxes; 2 cats = 3 boxes; 3 cats = 4 boxes
  • Each box should be 1.5 times the length of your largest cat.
  • Scoop 2x/day and change litter fully once a week; clean the box thoroughly before adding the new litter.

In addition, just like you might have a preference in toilet paper, your cat may prefer one litter over another. For example, one of my cats will ONLY use a Breeze System litter box; my other three cats are very happy with their regular litter box with The World’s Best Cat Litter. Just like with a pet’s food, you can’t change a cat’s litter abruptly. Introduce any new litter slowly, mixing it in with their regular litter and slowly changing the ratio until they are comfortable with the new smell and feel. There are always exceptions to the rules, but these three tips are an excellent starting point for any cat owner. Your kitty will thank you for the extra box, the spacious room, and clean litter.

Cat receiving some love from their parent

Cat receiving some love from their parent

No matter where you are in your cat parenting journey you can stary implementing these 5 steps today! Create a happier, more harmonious household for you and your kitties by using corrective behaviors, understanding their nature and where you can nurture that. Don’t forget to breathe before redirecting and always reward good behavior. Simple tweaks to their environment like using the appropriate number and size of litter boxes and providing useful alternatives for their natural habits will make all the difference in your feline occupied home. Have you tried other cat training techniques that work for you and your fur baby? Let us know in the comments below!

Just Around the Corner offers daily Dog Walking , Dog Hiking, and Pet Sitting in Plymouth, MA. To learn more about how Just Around the Corner can help, check out our Services Page. You can also Contact Us for more information. Be sure to Like us on Facebook and Follow us on Instagram!