How to Get Your Cats to Stop... Everything You Hate: Every No Needs a Yes!, by Steve Cooper on YouTube. 14 min 48 s.
- Video length
- 14 min 48 s
- Time to do it
- 20 minutes a day for 2 to 3 we
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Work out what your cat gets from the behavior before you change anything. A counter may offer food smells, height or a view. Note when and where it happens for a few days.
Clear the counters and put food away. Put a tall cat tree or shelf near the kitchen so your cat can watch from up high, then reward it for using that spot.
Stand a scratching post right beside the scratched couch arm, in a similar material and angle. Praise your cat every time it uses the post instead of the couch.
Give your cat a settled spot away from the door before you leave or answer it. A perch with a view or a food puzzle stops it bolting through the gap.
Feed the last meal and run an active play session right before bed. Set a timed feeder for early morning so your cat stops linking your wake-up with food.
Move breakables out of reach and offer puzzle feeders and light balls to bat. Cats knock things off because the falling object is interesting, not to annoy you.
Stop all shouting, tapping and spray bottles. Punishment teaches your cat to fear you and to do the behavior only when you are not in the room.
Book a vet visit if your cat suddenly stops using the litter box. Keep the box clean and in a quiet spot, but a sudden change can signal illness.
Tips and common mistakes
Never rub your cat's nose in mess or use a spray bottle, since punishment makes most behavior problems worse.
Reward the behavior you want within a second or two, or your cat will not link the treat to the action.
Keep the new scratching post in place until the couch habit is fully gone, or the scratching often returns.
Add one extra litter box and scoop daily, keeping boxes away from noisy appliances.
Questions
Why does my cat jump on the counter even when I say no?
Jumping gives your cat height, food smells or attention. Yelling counts as attention, so it often makes the jumping more likely.
Will a spray bottle stop my cat scratching the couch?
No. It usually stops the scratching only while you are in the room, and it can make your cat avoid you.
When should I worry about a behavior change?
Sudden changes like refusing the litter box, night yowling or losing appetite need a vet check rather than training.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
