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Studying cat behavior is essential to understanding their needs and providing them with what they require for the best, most natural life possible. Dedicating even the smallest amount of time to better understanding your animal will enrich your relationship significantly.
One of my cats, Jake, was notorious for lapping up water on the shower floor and drinking out of the faucet. I also caught him on several occasions drinking out of the toilet. After researching, I discovered that cats strongly prefer to drink running water over still water. As wild cats drink flowing water from rivers and streams, it only made sense.
I had heard about pet fountains — watering devices that have a filtration system and a type of cascading spout that pours into a bowl, allowing cats to drink from the spout or bowl. Priced at $50, the Drinkwell brand pet fountain was a considerable investment, but I decided to give it a shot. Both of my cats absolutely love it and only drink from the spout.
Their litter boxes also reflect the change. They are urinating more frequently, which can only mean they’re drinking more water. Despite the initial expense, the fountain has improved my cats’ health and happiness. To me, that is money well spent. Jake still does drink out of the shower, but I haven’t caught him nearly falling into the toilet since then.
An old roommate of mine used to keep two fully loaded spray bottles around the house to drench her cats when they got up on the counters or kitchen table. Her cats would immediately respond, running to hide somewhere, but whenever she wasn’t around they’d go back to what they were doing.
There are good reasons people don’t want cats on their counters and kitchen tables. After pawing around in a litter box, it’s not exactly desirable to have those same toes treading where you make your sandwiches.
The problem is that cats are too smart. You can punish them any number of ways, but when you’re not there to do so, they will do as they please. The other issue with spray bottles is they simply scare your cat. The cat sees it as an extension of you, since you hold it in your hand, and therefore will become scared of you. Cats like being up high. It makes them feel safe and allows them to survey their territory better than being on the ground. If you must have your cats off a certain surface, there are other ways to go about doing it.
The most important thing to remember is that reinforcement has to be consistent. There are devices that spray a burst of air when motion is detected, startling the cat when it jumps onto the surface you place the device on. It is there to discourage the cat every single time, unlike a person with a spray bottle. It also might be worth trying some “cat-approved” areas where you allow them to get up high for the bird’s-eye view they desire. Consider how much your pets adapt to fit your lifestyle. It won’t kill you to make a few adjustments for them.
Bangor Daily News