Chinchilla

　　Some newly arrived cats are more timid and always stay close to their owners, afraid to wander anywhere. Certain signs, such as ears always alert and upright, indicate a strong dependence on their owner.

　　At this time, we can do the following:

　　1. Find a companion for the cat to shift its attention from you. For example, add another cat to the household.

　　2. Give the cat toys. Cats with strong dependence tend to follow you everywhere and occasionally meow to get your attention. If you’re often away from home, it’s best not to buy a highly dependent cat. If you do have such a cat, provide toys to attract its attention or let it go outside to find playmates.

　　1. Help the cat adapt to the cat cage

　　1. Keep the cage door open and place it in a quiet corner, lining it with an unwashed piece of the owner’s T-shirt or shirt. Your scent is the best comfort for the cat.

　　2. Attract the cat’s attention to this new object by putting a little of its favorite food in front of the cage and then go with the flow. Don’t worry—whether out of curiosity or caution, cats are happy to explore new things.

　　3. After the cat comfortably eats in front of the cage, gradually move the food inside the cage. If the cat enters the cage, the owner should not disturb the cat or suddenly close the door. A timid cat that has been betrayed once will never step into the cage again. This training should be guided by the cat’s feelings, allowing free in and out access. Rushing the process will damage the confidence you’ve just built.

　　2. Let the cat use a cat door by itself

　　After adapting to the new environment for a period, the cat will start to run around, seeking things to satisfy its curiosity, naturally venturing outside more often. You should let it come and go through the cat door and not climb windows randomly.

　　1. Keep the cat door fixed open and let the cat explore it.

　　If you place some food on the other side of the door, it may entice the cat to pass through. But be sure to fix the door securely so it doesn’t fall and scare the cat.

　　2. When the cat passes through the cat door, close the flap and encourage the cat to return using tasty treats. This time, help it push the door open.

　　3. Train the cat not to climb on the bed

　　Once cats develop a close bond with their owner, they like to crawl into bed covers to sleep. Many cat owners often share their bed with cats, but these are harmful and unhygienic habits that should be completely changed. Because cats can carry diseases such as dermatophytosis, fleas, and toxoplasmosis that are easily transmissible to humans, training cats not to get on the bed or crawl under covers is very necessary.

　　1. Before training, prepare a especially comfortable bed for the cat.

　　In winter, you can place a hot water bottle inside the bed. If after these measures the cat still refuses to sleep in the bed, cover the top to prevent it from escaping. After several training sessions, the cat won’t run away or crawl under the covers.

　　2. If the cat has already developed the habit of climbing onto the bed and crawling under covers, you can use the following correction methods:

　　Direct punishment method: When the cat climbs on the bed or under the owner’s covers, immediately pat the cat’s rump with your hand or tap it with a rolled newspaper or book while scolding loudly, then chase the cat off the bed. The owner’s attitude must be stern and angry. Since cats are very sensitive to their owner’s emotions, if the owner shows anger, the cat will no longer dare climb on the bed or crawl under covers. Repeating this many times will correct the cat’s bad habit.

　　Remote punishment method: Prepare a bamboo water spray gun or a toy water gun filled with water. When the cat attempts to jump on the bed, stand hidden where the cat cannot see you and spray water immediately. The cat will run away as a sudden water attack shocks it. After a few times of water spraying, the cat will develop an aversive conditioned reflex and stop getting on the bed. (Source：PetsZone)