by: BenHarper
The beginnings of the Ragdoll cat breed are filled with strange stories and controversy. The stories told by this breed's fonder are bizarre and downright silly. The facts known about Ann Baker are that she started breeding Ragdoll cats in the 1960s in California. Ann was a eccentric person that liked to tell wild stories about her cats. The first Ragdoll cat was called Josephine and belonged to Ann Baker.
Ann Baker recognized a characteristic in Josephine and her kittens that became the defining feature of the breed. Ragdolls simply go limp when you pick them up and hold them. Ann Baker even trademarked the breed name so that anyone that wanted to breed the cats had to pay her a royalty. She founded the first registry for Ragdoll cats but eventually lost control of the breed partially due to her wild claims and erratic behavior.
The fact that Ragdoll cats all go limp when held is where Ann Baker's unusual claims come into the picture. It begins when her cat Josephine was hit by an automobile. One story told by Baker was that she took Josephine to a University for medical treatment. Baker claims the University modified Josephine's DNA and this is where the Ragdoll trait came from.
Another wild claim made by Ann Baker was that her cats were impervious to pain. She said her cats were genetically altered not to feel pain and were actually alien feline hybrids. Watch out Fox Mulder; there have been alien hybrids roaming the earth since the 1960s. Ann Baker made other bizarre claims stating her cats had no fears or allergens and were in fact perfect for pet owners that suffered from cat allergies. When it comes to the beginnings of the Ragdoll cat breed, Ann Bakers stories truly are stranger than fiction.
About the Author
If you'd like to get to learn more about ragdoll cats, visit Ben Harper's ragdoll cat website, discussion form and read the ebook, Ragdoll Cat Secrets.
7 Tips of Extremely Effective Cat Toilet Training
by: HenryMatthias
My loved ones never thought of cat toilet training, but like to have cats in the home. I do not really mind them around, but the problem of dealing with their wastes poses some challenges to me.
Thankfully, I read up and got some very useful tips.
These are the 7 steps I found out for cat toilet training :
1. A kitten of 8 weeks old is ready for training.
2. Every need to have have a name, and help the cat familiarize herself with the name. By being able to respond to her name, it makes the task of pet toilet training much easier.
3. By instinct, cats want to hide their wastes. Provide a litter tray and it is quite easy to toilet train them. A litter tray usually is made of plastic or enamel. The container should be filled with soil, sand, sawdust or commercial cat litters.
4. Normally, a kitten that is raised together with a mother that uses the litter tray will learn to use the tray itself eventually. For kittens or cats that still have to be trained, it is best to familiarize them with the litter tray. The cat should be put inside the tray after being fed, after play or when it wakes up.
5. Be careful to hide the litter tray in a seclude place. Cats would not like to be seen when they use the litter tray.
6. When the cat uses the litter tray, make sure that you praise it for the good behavior. The best way to praise the cat is to pet it or pat it on its head. Food rewards are also useful instruments to praise the cat. However, a cat or kitten being trained that failed to make use of the litter tray should be corrected. The cat must be corrected immediately. A loud and sharp "no" or squirting the cat with water is the common ways to reprimand the cat. Do not use physical punishment. It is not a good practice. It also affects the relationship of the cat to the owners.
7. Gradually move the litter tray nearer to the toilet in very small steps over many days, big changes may upset the cat or make it suspicious so just edge it closer to the bowl every time you clean it out and refill it. Eventually, leave out the litter tray completely, and your cat will still come to the toilet bowl.
It is good to please the family by having their pet at home. Proper cat toilet training solves the problems related to their waste. The above tips will help to achieve that after sometime
About the Author
Before you buy anything online, make sure you check Henry Matthias' excellent free report on cat potty training
My loved ones never thought of cat toilet training, but like to have cats in the home. I do not really mind them around, but the problem of dealing with their wastes poses some challenges to me.
Thankfully, I read up and got some very useful tips.
These are the 7 steps I found out for cat toilet training :
1. A kitten of 8 weeks old is ready for training.
2. Every need to have have a name, and help the cat familiarize herself with the name. By being able to respond to her name, it makes the task of pet toilet training much easier.
3. By instinct, cats want to hide their wastes. Provide a litter tray and it is quite easy to toilet train them. A litter tray usually is made of plastic or enamel. The container should be filled with soil, sand, sawdust or commercial cat litters.
4. Normally, a kitten that is raised together with a mother that uses the litter tray will learn to use the tray itself eventually. For kittens or cats that still have to be trained, it is best to familiarize them with the litter tray. The cat should be put inside the tray after being fed, after play or when it wakes up.
5. Be careful to hide the litter tray in a seclude place. Cats would not like to be seen when they use the litter tray.
6. When the cat uses the litter tray, make sure that you praise it for the good behavior. The best way to praise the cat is to pet it or pat it on its head. Food rewards are also useful instruments to praise the cat. However, a cat or kitten being trained that failed to make use of the litter tray should be corrected. The cat must be corrected immediately. A loud and sharp "no" or squirting the cat with water is the common ways to reprimand the cat. Do not use physical punishment. It is not a good practice. It also affects the relationship of the cat to the owners.
7. Gradually move the litter tray nearer to the toilet in very small steps over many days, big changes may upset the cat or make it suspicious so just edge it closer to the bowl every time you clean it out and refill it. Eventually, leave out the litter tray completely, and your cat will still come to the toilet bowl.
It is good to please the family by having their pet at home. Proper cat toilet training solves the problems related to their waste. The above tips will help to achieve that after sometime
About the Author
Before you buy anything online, make sure you check Henry Matthias' excellent free report on cat potty training
10 Minutes to Train Your Cat
By: Jim Moore
The following tips . . . tricks . . . and techniques cover a variety of situations that most cat owners encounter. Not only that, these tips will no doubt trigger some ideas of your own.
The key to effective training is consistency. Whatever you choose, be sure to do it on regularly, otherwise, you'll be sending your cat mixed signals. And that will only make it that much harder to train her. Forget about cat training in 10 minutes!
Below are ten "must have" tips that will get you through your initial phase cat ownership.
1. Cats really don't care that you punish them. It's true. If you've owned a dog, you know that punishing him will help change his behavior. It doesn't with cats. Bottom line. Don't waste your time. They'll sit there purring at you and just perform that same behavior again.
2. Corporal punishment is out of the question. Because a cat's body is so delicate, you can't "spank" a cat the way you do a dog to get its attention. That means when you're training your cat, you have to match wits with it. Don't worry. I'm confident you'll win. There are things out there like cat clicker training, but I don't recommend it.
3. Use a form of positive reinforcement. As you become a seasoned cat owner, you'll discover that it's difficult to catch your cat in the actual "crime". It's far easier, then, to reward your cat when you see her performing a right behavior. Keep some cat "treats" on hand. Feed one to your cat whenever she is doing something positive - like using the litter box or using her scratching post.
4. Keep plenty of toys - either store bought or make shift - around the house. Much of the "bad" behavior of cats is simply because they're board. The feline is by nature a predatory animal. Remember the scene in the Disney movie, The Lion King, where little Simba gets "pouncing lessons." When you think your cat is literally bouncing off the walls and tearing down the curtains, he's only practicing his predatory skills. Provide him with alternatives and he'll tame down - at least some.
5. When you're away, keep him busy. If your cat is used to company, he may get bored and inadvertently destruction while you're at work or are gone for any length of time. Here's a quick hint. Buy a timer for your television set, make sure the TV is tuned to an animal-friendly channel (an outdoor channel or Animal Planet for instance) and then have the television automatically turn on at different times of the day. Cats can see images on the screen. He'll come to investigate the noise and stay to watch the picture - at least for a while.
6. The value of a spray bottle of water. In some instances, spraying a cat with a harmless water bottle is enough to get their attention and stop the bad behavior. You only need a simple spray bottle that you use for misting plants. Squirt the cat if it misbehaves. Soon, he'll know that he can't do that.
7. Blow a harmless puff of air in your cat's face. Yes, this sounds crazy, but it really works. If your cat is literally in your face and you need to teach him to keep a certain distance and give you some space, try it. Blow a puff of air into his face. It'll startle and puzzle him. Soon, he'll associate the two and you won't be bothered by the unpleasant attention he gives you.
8. Make sure you cat has "a room with a view". You know what they say, "curiosity killed the cat." More appropriately, an irate owner went berserk over something a bored cat got into. Much of the bad behavior of your cat is simply due to his innate curiosity. Make sure he has a ledge or window sill that he can sit in comfortably to check out the birds and squirrels in your yard. If your window sill isn't large enough for him to sit for extended periods, you can by an extension at the pet store. Or, if someone you know is handy, you can make your own.
9. Spend quality time with your cat. As a training technique, this may sound a bit unorthodox. But, it's really a savvy move on your part. The more time you spend with your kitty, the better you'll be able to communicate with her. Cats definitely have a form of communication skills that involves more than just "talking." The better you know your cat - and just as importantly, the better your cat knows you - you'll be able "to read her mind". You'll just "know" when she's considering an improper move. And she'll know when you disapprove just by reading your body language and the look on your face.
10. Confine the aggressive cat. Reward the victim. Got more than one cat? Then you probably have that occasional "cat fight." Felines are territorial animals. They will get into a fight now and then over their "catdom." If you view the fight, your first step is to disengage the action. Using a water sprayer is the best method. Squirt the aggressor. Try to avoid squirting the victim. After that, confine the "bully" in a less attractive space. In the meantime, reward the cat who didn't attack - even when she was being attacked. Give her a treat, or free roam of the house. When you do put this pair of felines together again, try to keep them as supervised as possible.
These ideas are only the tip of the iceberg when you're training your cat. As you and your pet begin to know each better, you'll discover a language of your own. It may be through speech - you talk and she meows. But more than likely, the two of you will eventually be able to read each other's body language. You'll soon learn the subtle nuances of this very effective form of communication . . . and teaching your cat what she needs to know will be easier than you can ever imagine.
------------------------------
Jim Moore has come to appreciate throughout his life how you should take care and give loving attention to your cat. Jim owns and maintains http://www.apurrfectcat.com .
The following tips . . . tricks . . . and techniques cover a variety of situations that most cat owners encounter. Not only that, these tips will no doubt trigger some ideas of your own.
The key to effective training is consistency. Whatever you choose, be sure to do it on regularly, otherwise, you'll be sending your cat mixed signals. And that will only make it that much harder to train her. Forget about cat training in 10 minutes!
Below are ten "must have" tips that will get you through your initial phase cat ownership.
1. Cats really don't care that you punish them. It's true. If you've owned a dog, you know that punishing him will help change his behavior. It doesn't with cats. Bottom line. Don't waste your time. They'll sit there purring at you and just perform that same behavior again.
2. Corporal punishment is out of the question. Because a cat's body is so delicate, you can't "spank" a cat the way you do a dog to get its attention. That means when you're training your cat, you have to match wits with it. Don't worry. I'm confident you'll win. There are things out there like cat clicker training, but I don't recommend it.
3. Use a form of positive reinforcement. As you become a seasoned cat owner, you'll discover that it's difficult to catch your cat in the actual "crime". It's far easier, then, to reward your cat when you see her performing a right behavior. Keep some cat "treats" on hand. Feed one to your cat whenever she is doing something positive - like using the litter box or using her scratching post.
4. Keep plenty of toys - either store bought or make shift - around the house. Much of the "bad" behavior of cats is simply because they're board. The feline is by nature a predatory animal. Remember the scene in the Disney movie, The Lion King, where little Simba gets "pouncing lessons." When you think your cat is literally bouncing off the walls and tearing down the curtains, he's only practicing his predatory skills. Provide him with alternatives and he'll tame down - at least some.
5. When you're away, keep him busy. If your cat is used to company, he may get bored and inadvertently destruction while you're at work or are gone for any length of time. Here's a quick hint. Buy a timer for your television set, make sure the TV is tuned to an animal-friendly channel (an outdoor channel or Animal Planet for instance) and then have the television automatically turn on at different times of the day. Cats can see images on the screen. He'll come to investigate the noise and stay to watch the picture - at least for a while.
6. The value of a spray bottle of water. In some instances, spraying a cat with a harmless water bottle is enough to get their attention and stop the bad behavior. You only need a simple spray bottle that you use for misting plants. Squirt the cat if it misbehaves. Soon, he'll know that he can't do that.
7. Blow a harmless puff of air in your cat's face. Yes, this sounds crazy, but it really works. If your cat is literally in your face and you need to teach him to keep a certain distance and give you some space, try it. Blow a puff of air into his face. It'll startle and puzzle him. Soon, he'll associate the two and you won't be bothered by the unpleasant attention he gives you.
8. Make sure you cat has "a room with a view". You know what they say, "curiosity killed the cat." More appropriately, an irate owner went berserk over something a bored cat got into. Much of the bad behavior of your cat is simply due to his innate curiosity. Make sure he has a ledge or window sill that he can sit in comfortably to check out the birds and squirrels in your yard. If your window sill isn't large enough for him to sit for extended periods, you can by an extension at the pet store. Or, if someone you know is handy, you can make your own.
9. Spend quality time with your cat. As a training technique, this may sound a bit unorthodox. But, it's really a savvy move on your part. The more time you spend with your kitty, the better you'll be able to communicate with her. Cats definitely have a form of communication skills that involves more than just "talking." The better you know your cat - and just as importantly, the better your cat knows you - you'll be able "to read her mind". You'll just "know" when she's considering an improper move. And she'll know when you disapprove just by reading your body language and the look on your face.
10. Confine the aggressive cat. Reward the victim. Got more than one cat? Then you probably have that occasional "cat fight." Felines are territorial animals. They will get into a fight now and then over their "catdom." If you view the fight, your first step is to disengage the action. Using a water sprayer is the best method. Squirt the aggressor. Try to avoid squirting the victim. After that, confine the "bully" in a less attractive space. In the meantime, reward the cat who didn't attack - even when she was being attacked. Give her a treat, or free roam of the house. When you do put this pair of felines together again, try to keep them as supervised as possible.
These ideas are only the tip of the iceberg when you're training your cat. As you and your pet begin to know each better, you'll discover a language of your own. It may be through speech - you talk and she meows. But more than likely, the two of you will eventually be able to read each other's body language. You'll soon learn the subtle nuances of this very effective form of communication . . . and teaching your cat what she needs to know will be easier than you can ever imagine.
------------------------------
Jim Moore has come to appreciate throughout his life how you should take care and give loving attention to your cat. Jim owns and maintains http://www.apurrfectcat.com .