Training your kitten

How to feed your cat

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Set up a feeding schedule for your cat, do not free feed. I usually feed my adult cats twice a day, young kittens need more frequent feeding schedule, the younger the more often. Before feeding every meal, let the cat sniff the food first, this is to make sure they know you're giving them the food but don't give it to them so soon. Make them walk around you begging a little, purring, and sometimes they may massage their chin against you to show affection. Then you may give them the food. Give cats plenty time to finish their meal, then take it away when finished. Never leave unfinished food outside. 

Explanation: Leaving food outside for free feeding makes cats think: "I found this food on my own, it is not given by anyone." But if you feed them with a schedule, while teasing them before eating, they will associate the food with you. This way they may think: "This nice big hairless cat gave me food, must be my mama/dada!", which means bonding between your cat and you.

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Giving your cat treats

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Never spoil your cat with too much treat! You may spoil them with unlimited love and high quality living standards, but not treat! Too much treat may lead to cat obesity. I usually use treat under these conditions: 

1. After grooming for cats (including nail trimming, brushing, bathing, etc.)

2. When cats show affections toward human

3. To praise a good behavior

But I only give them a small amount because treat is treat, not balanced food. Massive amount is not required when it comes to treat. The soft treats (Inaba Churu, Baby food) last for days each time I open one because I don't spoil my cats with them. They won't go bad if you store them in the fridge. ​

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Kitties hiding from you

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Cats may hide from you for various reasons: new environment, liked to hide, illness, etc. A useful tip for you is to create a hiding spot for your cat. Block any spots that you don't want your cat to hide.

First, you need to cat proof your place, which means to block all potential undesired hiding spots for your cat. Including but not limited to: narrow space underneath furniture, narrow space between walls and furniture, etc. Not sure if it's a bad spot? Test with your own arm. Imagine your cat is hiding in some corner right now and try to reach with your arm, can you easily touch the cat without having to move your furniture or using a weird posture? If no, definitely block that spot. 

Second, create a hiding spot for your cat. Many ways to do so: leave the cat carrier out open, buy cat beds for hiding, you could even use a box. 

Following these two simple steps will create a good living environment for you and your cat. Your cat has a safe place to go when they want to, and you wouldn't have to flipping furniture looking for them. It is ok for cat to hide, but only hiding at spots where their owner have easy access to. Always check on your cat when they're hiding. Make sure they're ok and if they seem frightened, don't force them out. Let them sniff you to know that it is you, then gently comfort them with pats and treats.

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