Can You Keep Your Cat From Killing Birds?

It happens to every cat owner. You open the front door in the morning, only to find a small pile of feathers and bones. Your cat winds around your legs, purring, obviously proud of his lovely gift. Cats are the number-one predator of birds, causing frustration for their owners and seriously impacting the ecosystem. Is there any way to keep your feline from hunting?

It is estimated that a cat can kill up to one hundred birds each year. Millions of birds are killed by pets and feral cats, as are tens of millions of rodents and other small animals. Cats are not a natural part of the ecosystem. They were introduced to North America in large numbers in the 1800’s. Unlike other predators, cats are fed and inoculated against disease, and are not reliant on their hunting skills for survival. In addition to killing birds through hunting, cats can transmit diseases, which kill wildlife.

Keeping your cat well fed will not stop him from hunting. Stalking and catching birds is instinctual for cats, so they do it whether or not they need them for food. Often cats leave birds whole once they’ve killed them. They will usually only devour the bird if they haven’t had a meal for a while.

So what, if anything, can you do to keep your pet from hunting and killing your local bird population?

Often people are advised to put bells on their cat’s collars to keep them from killing birds. Unfortunately this is not very effective. Birds don’t associate the sound of these bells with danger, and so won’t necessarily flee the noise. Many cats become adept at moving slowly and gently so that the bells don’t make much noise.

Cats tend to pick favorite spots from which to hunt backyard birds. Discovering that hiding place and either dismantling it or making it inaccessible can diminish their ability to stalk their prey.

If you can actually catch your cat in the act of hunting, spraying it with a hose will certainly interrupt it! Over time you may be able to keep your pet from constant killing, but remember, this is instinctive behavior. You may not ever really be able to train your cat not to hunt for birds.

Another approach to keeping cats from killing birds is to keep the birds away from the cats. A large fake owl in the yard may frighten birds away and keep them from perching in the cat’s hunting grounds. Putting up netting or screening in a small portion of your yard can provide outdoor space for your cat which the birds are unable to enter.

The best way to keep your pet cat from killing birds is to keep it indoors. Many veterinarians and animal experts advise keeping cats inside for a number of reasons. Certainly this is the only sure-fire method of keeping your backyard birds safe from your pet.

Cats and litter training – Part 4

Have you ever noticed that each cat approaches the litter in the box differently? I know this sounds odd, but if they will let you watch (and some won’t), it is a very interesting view of animal nature to observe how each cat has a different modus operandi. Traditionally, it is said that cats cover their feces so that their scent will not be left for their predators to find. This certainly makes sense in a feral, jungle setting, but in the private litter-box corner or corners of your home?

One interesting point is the WAY cats cover their stuff. This tells a lot about their unique personalities and dispositions. I have one male cat that sweeps the litter from one box into the next one, both of which are uncovered and next to each other. (We have tried moving them apart, but he doesn’t like that.) In another area of the house, there are covered boxes, and I have one cat who will only use the box immediately after the litter is changed, which I have to do every day in a multi-cat household. She will wait until I am finished no matter how badly she has to g, and will never opt for another choice of box while I am in the throes of working on one. It has to be THAT box.

I use different brands of litter because my cats like some and don’t like others. Believe me, you can tell. They will let you know their preferences in ways you cannot miss. I tried Feline Pine, which is very good for the environment because it is recyclable as mulch, but it didn’t do much to improve the environment around my house. I also use Tidy Cat brand and Hartz Mountain, which is a tie in terms of preferences in my house.

I find that some cats are very messy (like my fellow mentioned above), and others are so neat that you can barely tell they paid a visit to the box. One of mine takes the litter from one end of the box and sweeps it up into the other end before covering it up. She will also meow during the process obviously explaining the procedure to anyone nearby who might be able to understand her motives. When she leaves the box, it’s almost as if she expects a fanfare from an adoring public as she waits and looks in both directions before stepping onto the ground.

Who knows about these creatures? One thing is certain. They keep you on your toes and there is never a dull moment in any home in which they reside!

Tips for litter box training kittens – Part 6

Teaching your kitten to use the litter box is just as easy as 1-2-3. Kitten litter box training could take as short as a day but if it takes longer, don’t despair. Just keep your cool and be patient with them. Sure enough, all kittens that I have had were easily trained into using a litter box in less than two days.

To understand how easy it is to teach kittens to use a litter box, we must understand their instincts. In a kitten’s first two weeks of life, they rely on their mother to lick their underbelly and thus stimulate their urination and defecation. The mother cat then digests all of the kitten’s waste. This is their natural instinct to keep their nest clean and bury their scent. They do this to prevent predators from smelling their nest. This is a blessing for cat owners because this makes them a clean buddy for the home as they do not have any urge to dirty up their nest. After the kittens first three weeks of life, they start exploring the outside of their nest. It is at this time that they start to eliminate outside their nest. It is their mother’s rule that they do not dirty up their nest. When they are big enough and can walk well enough, litter box training should be immediately started.

The best way to start litter box training is to have a clean litter box available for your kitten. If you are adopting or buying a cat, be sure that your litter pan is clean when you take your new kitty home. There’s a wide variety of litter boxes and litter available in the market now. Keep in mind that you want a box that your kitty could comfortably get into without a problem. As for the litter, you may change into a different kind depending on your kitten’s preference. Some cats do not want scented litter while others do. Just watch out if the litter type causes accidents to happen in your home. And then, be sure you also have a scoop so you could scoop out the kitten fecal matter from the litter box.

Step one in training your little one is to introduce him immediately to the litter box once he comes to your home. Of course, it would be helpful if you could warm up with your kitten first by making him feel he is safe with you. To introduce the litter box, just put your kitty in the box and make his paws feel the litter in the box. It’s fine if kitty runs out of the box the first time you do this. Try it again after a couple of minutes or after feeding the kitten because this is the most likely time that they go. Another great time to try is after they

Is crating your dog cruel?

I’m an extremely strong advocate when it comes to the wonders of the dog crate. I have owned, trained, and shown dogs for close to twenty years of my life. During that time a crate has proved an indispensable tool for me as a dog owner and a safe haven for my dog who is a strong den animal by nature.

Many people will cringe if you mention crate training your dog. But I encourage everyone to do research into the true nature of your dog. Dogs are closely related to their relatives the wolf in many aspects. One of those is their need and desire to have a den of their own. A dog prefers to be in a small place that they can call their own. A crate fits this ingrain need that they have. It gives them a sense of safety and security. In the wild wolves seek out dens which often consist of small caves or holes burrowed into the ground or mountainside. Once they have located this wonderfully safe haven then they will finally give birth to their pups in the darkness and seclusion they so desire.

When you first purchase a puppy a crate is the best way to housebreak the pup. You purchase a small crate that fits your new puppy. At first the puppy might bark or whimper when it is put into the crate. But soon it will adjust and come to realize that the crate is its own personal den. A place of safety, a place to retreat if the dog is afraid or unsure, and a place to sleep without worry about other wild predators that exist in your dogs mind from its wild ancestral past. So the crate works in your favor and your dogs. A dog will not soil its den. This is an instinct that runs deep in all canines. You can use this to your advantage when house training. Place your puppy in the crate at night or times when you will be gone. When you release the dog from the crate you immediately place it outside to do its business. Your dog will quickly learn that it goes outside to eliminate.

Crates are far from cruel. I encourage everyone to research the behavior and personality of the dog. Learn about your canine because they are wild at heart. They are animals that live and exist on many instincts. Your dog is not only a pack animal that quickly adopts the human family as its pack family but it is also a den animal that craves the peace and safety of a small place to call its own. The crate provides that security that alleves the dogs insecurities that arise from the wild animal that still exists in your pet. Dogs grow to adore their crate. They will seek it out for naps or any time that the dog feels insecure or afraid. It will ultimately bring the best solace that we can offer our wild best friends character.