Training your cat about knocking stuff over or pulling things down.
Dear Gwen,
If you print this letter, please don't use my real name or I'm afraid I'll get in trouble. My
humans put me out at night and while they think I'm sleeping on the back porch I'm
actually making my secret rounds. I know my owners are looking forward to reading your
column so I'm sure they'll be reading this.
Every year they haul a tree in from outside and
decorate it with all kinds of toys. They put the most interesting objects on the fireplace
mantel and even on the walls! Sometimes they hang socks and fill them with goodies.
When I want to join in the fun all they do is shriek and chase me away. Please tell them
that I feel neglected during the holidays.
signed, No Name Kitty
Dear No Name,
With pleasure, I write. . .OK all you cat owners, read on! No Name is not alone. With all
the hustle-bustle of the holidays, it's easy to unintentionally neglect our companion pets.
First of all, some of the seasonal plants such as poinsettias are poisonous. Many
decorations are potentially hazardous. It's a lot to ask your pet to stay away from dangling
tinsel, flashing lights, electric cords and ornaments. A fresh tree indoors is irresistible to
both cats and dogs. It's just not fair to expect them to stay away from these. It's like
leaving a glass full of ice-cold water in a room with a person who has just jogged 3 miles
in the Mojave Desert and saying, "Don't touch." Let's be realistic!
Prevention is the best
measure here. It can save you the headache of constant redecorating and possible
heartache should your pet be injured. It will also save your pet from frustration and
unpleasant reprimands. If you cannot trust your pet in a room full of holiday trimmings,
then lock them out. But at the same time, it is essential that you take time out to play with,
exercise, train and give special attention to your pets. Schedule at least two, 20 minute
sessions a day to give your pet your undivided attention. Unplug the telephone, turn off
the TV and get on the floor with your pet.
Make this special time fun and active. You
should be a major part of this energy-venting session. If you aren't, they will find ways to
entertain themselves when you are not at home. These unsupervised activities could have
disastrous results. A well exercised and happy pet will contentedly sleep the day away
while you are busy tending to holiday activities. From the Cat's Point of View contains chapters that explain and illustrate safe
but effective booby traps you can use to train your cat to stay away from specific places.
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