What to Do When Your Cat Misbehaves and Refuses to Admit It

1 How to Make a Cat Recognize Its Mistake

How to help a cat recognize its mistake.

1. Scold Loudly and Add a Gesture

Cats are sensitive to sound, so keep the home quiet, but use that when it misbehaves. Always catch it in the act, not after. At the scene, scold it loudly. It won’t understand the words but reads your tone and learns it is wrong. Also lightly pat its head and nose tip to build a little fear; after a few lessons it gets the message.

2. Restrict Freedom

Caging is not advised daily, but after a mistake, confining it is a good punishment. If it won’t admit fault, put it in the cage and lecture it; it may complain by meowing, ignore it. Don’t cage too long, half an hour is enough; after release, don’t pet it right away, so it grasps the seriousness.

3. Give the Cold Shoulder

Cats are proud but care when ignored. Pair this with step 1: after scolding, ignore it for a while, no feeding or hugging, to drive the lesson home. But don’t be too cold; if it makes up to you, forgive it and explain, then comfort it. This works for obedient cats; for the clueless type, step 2 works better.

4. Use a Tool

Most cats fear water, so keep a spray bottle at home. After a mistake, spray it so it links the act to water; after a few rounds it remembers. Use a small bottle, not too much water, and avoid this for timid cats to prevent stress.

If your pet raids the trash, put lemon and orange peels in the bin to keep the cat away.

Cats will misbehave, but with the right methods you greatly lower the rate, and patience is key.