TRAINING AND PLAYING

Because of their independent nature, cats are often considered untrainable. That's not true. They can be trained--just think of the lions and tigers in the circus. However, your cat doesn't need such a high degree of training. All you want her to do is come when called, use the litter box, and not scratch you or the furniture.

COMING WHEN CALLED

Cats respond best to positive reinforcement, not punishment. Food and a loving voice are excellent positive reinforcements, so begin at mealtime. Call your cat's name, then add "come." The cat should be hungry and will respond simply in hopes of a meal. If you do this at every mealtime for a week, your cat will automatically come when you call even when it isn't mealtime.

USING A LITTER BOX

Most cats and many kittens are litter box trained. If yours isn't, she wants to be. Start as soon as you arrive home the first time. Pick her up and place her in the litter box, then gently pick up her forepaws and scratch the litter.

If she doesn't respond, keep a close eye on her for the next couple of hours. If she looks like she's about to relieve herself, place her in the litter box. When she is finished, praise and pet her. Usually just one or two lessons will do the trick.

A chronic need to eliminate outside the litter box should cause you concern. Check to make sure the litter box is clean and accessible. If the problem persists, there may be an underlying health problem. Schedule a visit with the vet.

USING A SCRATCHING POST

To introduce your cat to the scratching post, place her forepaws on the post and move them up and down in a clawing manner. If you catch her scratching elsewhere, remember to clap your hands, sternly say, "No!" and then put her back at the scratching post. Once she starts scratching, reward her with a small food treat, warm words, and some petting.

Never let your cat scratch you or other family members. Otherwise she will think that is acceptable behavior and could cause serious damage. If your cat begins to scratch, let your hand go limp and say, "No!" Once she stops, praise her.

FUN AND GAMES

Kittens love to play four types of games. In play fighting, kittens wrestle with one another. Even when they become strong enough to hurt each other, they almost never do. If you want to join in, do so only while wearing a heavy leather glove or an oven mitt.

Kittens eventually outgrow these games and it's just as well. Grown cats can do a great deal of damage to one another.

Scooping fish is a game a kitten or cat can play all by herself. She finds a small object on the floor, scoops it over her shoulder, turns and pounces. In the prey pounce, your cat stalks an imaginary prey, comes to a stop, and then pounces on it. "It" may be mother cat's tail, another kitten, or your shoe.

Closely related is the bird swat, in which the kitten administers a swat with one paw before finishing off the prey. This game is best for people participation; just dangle a rubber mouse or other object on the end of a string. Your cat will swat at it and you'll be safe! What's more, this is a game most cats will play all their lives.