Not all pet owners resort to using a spray bottle to discipline their misbehaving pets. Whether in a rush or out of ignorance, cat owners rush to slap their mischievous pets with a rag or yell at them. But there are simple and accessible ways to correct any shortcomings in their cat's training, without resorting to punishment.
Why Spraying Cats with Water is More Effective Than Scolding and Punishing
It's no secret that members of the feline family are notoriously stubborn. For this same reason, it's commonly believed that cats are difficult to train. Although this is most likely true of adult cats.
A small kitten brought home can easily be trained to use a litter box and a feeding area. However, life is never a one-size-fits-all situation. Kittens sometimes choose inappropriate places to go to the toilet. And adult cats often chew or tear furniture, ignoring the scratching post.
This requires training. Behavior modification must begin with choosing the right means. Pets do not tolerate physical violence directed at them. Hitting animals is not recommended; doing so only reinforces bad behavior. In most cases, a four-legged friend is unable to understand why they are being punished. Raised voices also don't always produce the desired result: the animal becomes frightened, offended, and begins to misbehave on the sly.
In this case, a spray bottle filled with water is ideal. The cat, faced with a water "attack," is forced to abandon its plans. Relationships with its owners are not damaged, as the cat doesn't associate the events with human actions.
How exactly can you wean a cat off a bad habit using a spray bottle?
You can't just splash your pet with water and expect them to stop misbehaving. The most important thing that affects a cat is the element of surprise. The unexpectedness of the attack causes the animal significant stress and begins to associate it with its own mischief.
Use the spray bottle when the "crime" is committed: your pet is hanging on the curtains, climbing onto the dining table, or about to relieve itself in an inappropriate place. There's no point in using this method if you notice your cat climbing on the table and catch it doing so.
The spray can be supplemented or replaced with a loud clap. If the situation repeats and you use the spray again, your pet will learn that they shouldn't behave that way. Retraining doesn't require a lot of water. A single sharp spray solves many problems. Cats don't tolerate the feeling of wet fur, so it's easier for them to retreat than to continue the mischief.
