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CONTROLLING UNDESIRABLE BEHAVIOUR IN CATS - THE ROLE OF PUNISHMENT

Punishment

Punishment is the application of a stimulus that decreases the chance that a behaviour will be repeated.  It should coincide with the undesirable behaviour, and must be unpleasant enough to deter the cat from repeating that behaviour.  Keep in mind that you are punishing the behaviour not the cat.  Punishment should never be considered unless the pet has the means to satisfy its nature and its needs.  For example, the scratching cat should be provided with an appropriate scratching post, before any attempts to punish undesirable scratching is initiated. 

What is the best way to physically discipline my cat?

One of the most frequently utilised and least successful forms of punishment is where the owner uses a smack or hit.  Hitting a cat can lead to hand-shyness, fear of the owner, and potential injury for both the owner and the cat.  The cat will continue to perform the undesirable behaviour in your absence since it learns that it can perform the behaviour without punishment when you are out of sight.  Physical punishment is therefore ineffective, potentially dangerous, and totally unnecessary.

How can I punish my cat for rough play?

Perhaps the only place where interactive punishment might be successful is for the cat that swats or scratches the owners during play.  Even here, species appropriate punishment such as "hissing" is better than using any physical techniques.  Before punishment is considered however you must ensure that the cat has ample opportunity to play.  Toys that can be chased, swatted, and batted should be provided.  Realise that if you give any form of attention (including physical punishment) to a cat that is swatting, or attacking in play, the behaviour may inadvertently be rewarded and encouraged further.

Whenever the cat begins to swat or play attack, immediately stop the play by walking away or by using some non physical form of punishment such as a loud hiss.  Under no circumstances should a cat ever be punished unless it is caught in the act of performing the behaviour.  Remember, physical punishment should never be used as it is generally ineffective, and could cause harm to your relationship with your cat, or to the cat itself. 

How can I punish my cat for other behaviours?

The key to successful punishment is to associate an unpleasant consequence with the undesirable behaviour not with a person.  However, unless the owner remains out of sight while administering punishment the cat may learn to cease the behaviour only when you are present.  Punishing the cat remotely, while you remain out of sight, is an effective means of deterring undesirable behaviour.  It takes a great deal of preparation, time and forethought.  Another effective means of punishment is to booby-trap an area, so that the cat learns to "stay away".

How does remote punishment work?

For remote techniques to be successful there are two key elements.  First, you must monitor the cat so that you know when the problem begins even in your absence.  For this a video camera may be necessary.  The second element is that the punishment must be delivered while the inappropriate behaviour is occurring (preferably while you remain out of sight).

When the owner is not around to supervise and monitor, the cat needs to be left in a room or area that has been cat-proofed and supplied with a litter tray, bedding area, toys for play and areas for scratching or climbing.

How can I booby-trap the environment to punish the pet?

Booby-traps are a way of teaching the pet to avoid the area or the behaviour itself.  The most practical devices are those that are unpleasant enough to deter the behaviour, and reset themselves, or remain active should the pet return to the area.  One of the simplest ways to discourage a cat from entering an area where an undesirable behaviour is likely to be performed (scratching, eliminating) is to make the area less appealing (or completely unpleasant) for scratching or eliminating.  If the cat is scratching furniture, a large piece of material may be draped over the furniture.  A small pyramid of empty tin cans or plastic containers could then be balanced on the arm of the chair on top of the fabric so that it topples onto the cat when scratching begins.  Mousetrap trainers and shock mats should only be used as a last resort and under expert guidance.  Motion-detecting sprinklers are also available to keep other cats or animals off property. 

Most of these same booby traps would also be effective for destructive behaviours focused on particular objects. Taste deterrents might also be helpful, provided they are unpleasant enough to deter the behaviour.  Products such as bitter apple, bitter lime or Tabasco sauce are often recommended, but many cats quickly learn to accept the taste.  A little water mixed with cayenne pepper, oil of eucalyptus, any non-toxic mentholated product often works.  To be effective, the first exposure to a product must be as repulsive as is humanely possible, so that the cat is immediately repelled whenever it smells or tastes that product again.  Never leave any objects or areas untreated until the cat learns to leave the object or area alone.  Once the cat has learned to avoid the smell, a more dilute solution can be used to deter the cat from other areas.

Perhaps most importantly, punishment whether interactive or remote should never be a substitute for good supervision and the opportunity to engage in the proper behaviour.  This is vital for kittens that are learning what is acceptable in a new home.

For very active animals, a room that has been "cat-proofed" and supplied with toys, and objects to scratch and climb, is a good solution when owners are unable to supervise.