Standing in one place for more than a couple of minutes results in my two-year-old cat playfully leaping onto my back and clinging with her claws. Rather than reaching for a spray bottle, I usually yell and attempt to gently remove her. Any suggestions for handling this situation effectively?
— Verna McLeod, Bellingham, Washington
If your cat enjoys riding on you but you prefer to minimize the nails, consider placing a hand towel over your shoulder and trimming her nails weekly. Alternatively, provide her with various climbing and perching opportunities like cat trees, shelves, and window perches. Positive reinforcement with treats, affection, or playtime when she uses these designated areas can encourage desired behavior.
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Keep your cat engaged and entertained with toys, puzzles, and interactive playtime to ensure she remains mentally stimulated and well-exercised. Clicker training can be used to teach her commands like “stay” or “down” to redirect her behavior positively.
If your cat continues to jump on your back, calmly remove her while saying “no” to establish boundaries. Consider using double-sided tape on your shoulders to deter her, providing a negative association with the texture. Offering appropriate climbing and exploration areas like cat trees is essential.
Combining these methods and redirecting her calmly can help your cat learn that jumping on your back is unacceptable and encourage her to find more suitable places to play. Further advice is given in response to a reader’s query about cat scratching and declawing.
– Vicki, Tucson, Arizona
Consider getting another kitten as a companion for your energetic cat to reduce furniture scratching and promote mental stimulation. Proper introduction and boundaries with the new kitten are crucial to ensure harmonious interactions.
If the cat parent has the resources and commitment to caring for two cats without considering declawing, having two feline companions can bring joy and companionship to both the cats and their human.
Thank you, Paula from Brigantine, New Jersey, for sharing the effective tip of using butter to discourage puppy biting by creating a positive association. This gentle method can teach puppies appropriate behavior, especially around children.
(Cathy M. Rosenthal is a longtime animal advocate, author, columnist and pet expert who has more than 25 years in the animal welfare field. Send your pet questions, stories and tips to cathy@petpundit.com. Please include your name, city, and state. You can follow her @cathymrosenthal.)
