Natural Training! The cat is naturally independent but, through our intervention, it learns to rely upon us for the comfort of life, food, warmth, and protection. It looks upon its owner as a mother- substitute. When training your feline companion, try to think like a cat. Understand its inherent desire to hunt, mark its domain, and defend its territory from other cats. The urban outdoors is fraught with dangers, especially traffic, but life indoors is tedious, driving some cats to create their own mental stimulation. Prevent behavioural problems by anticipating your cats needs. Teach it how to cope with life with us.
PREPARING FOR LIFE INDOORS! *Provide mental and physical stimulation through play and toys. *Play constructively and give food rewards immediately when appropriate. *Always use social deprivation, not physical abuse, as discipline. *Anticipate natural needs by providing "cat-only" rest sites. *Accept that cats live in a three dimensional world. Create three dimensional activities and games. *Using claws is natural, do not remove them! "Cats need to do certain things. Our obligation is to train them to channel their behaviours in directions they enjoy and we find acceptable."
------------------------------------------------------------ SAFTEY OUTDOORS! If you want your cat to venture outdoors, plan ahead: *Train it to miaow and come to you on command. *Provide all necessary amenities in your garden. *Introduce it to the outdoors when it is hungry and wants to return home for food. *Do not force an outdoor life on a cat afraid of it. *Prevent access to roads. Traffic kills more cats then any other cause. *Vaccinate your cat against infectious cat diseases. *Ensure your cat wears suitable, safe identification. *Because cats can slip their collars, they should carry two forms of ID. *Use a safe collar with a breakaway section. *Use effective means to control infectious disease and parasites. *Be considerate to the needs of your neighbours. YOUR CATS NUTRITIONAL NEEDS! FOODS TO LIMIT. Never give any food or nutrient in excess. Avoid single-protein diets. For example, a diet restricted to tinned tuna may cause severe liver problems. Muscle meat alone, without the naturally accompanying organs, bones, and fur is deficient in some essential nutrients and may lead to decalcification of the bones, chronic pain, and eventual death.
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