How do I raise my cat?

• 2009

Five questions to Kerstin Röhrs, veterinarian and behavioral therapist.

1.

Scratching is part of the marking behavior. If a sofa is a victim, that means: Here I feel good. Buy her a scratching post. If she does not take it, place a scratching board on the scratching place on the sofa. Every five days, move this board a bit towards the scratching post. That's how she gets used to him.

2. And when the cat pulls on the curtain?

Then she wants to get out on the windowsill and out. Solution: Pull up the curtains or place a stool sideways so that it can jump from the stool to the window sill.

3. When eating, she always wants to jump on the table. How do I do that to her?

Reward the cat with treats if she does not jump. That's how she learns: It's worth staying down. However, cats do not like to be "down". Offer her an alternative. You can put a stool next to you.

4. Instead of using my scarf the cat should play with the plush mouse. How does she learn to distinguish that?

There is only one way: always keep the scarf in the cupboard while the game mouse is in the hallway.

5. My cat was always outside. Can I keep her as a housing cat?

Only if you offer her a lot of action and transform the apartment into an adventure playground: set up the scratching post, offer toys, and treat treats.