Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/Cat Sleeping Query

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Expert: Dear Tabbi - 1/24/2009


Question
Hi,

I recently purchased a cat bed for my senior aged cat. The reason being because he used to sleep in the middle of the room on the carpet, or in an uncomfortable looking corner of the room, near plug outlets and electrical extensions. However, I am continuing to experiance problems in getting him to sleep on his new bed. I have tried a few techniques, like giving him his food near the bed so he becomes more aware, however, I've had no luck so far. Are there any tips on how I could train him to sleep on his new bed? Thanks.

Answer
Ouzman,

Cats sleep where they want to. It may look uncomfortable to us, but to them it may no be.

I would try spinkling some catnip on the bed.

Try putting the cat bed where the cat is used to sleeping (in the middle of the floor, or the corner of the room by the outlets). If he sleep in it there, then you can try moving it later.

Pet the cat only in the the cat bed for awhile. Make it a happy place to be for the cat.

Tabbi

Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)

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Dear Tabbi

Expertise

My expertise is in helping people understand their cat (or cats) and their behavior. Questions are welcome even if you don't have a cat....just a question about them. Hopefully my experience, suggestions, and comments will be of help to you...and your cat (or cats). Looking through my past responses to questions will give you additional information and/or answers too. Domestic Cats = cats (no matter what breed) who are tame or not wild, or abandoned cats who were pets that became wild, but can be tamed again. Ferals = cats who are born with one or more parents who were wild stray cats. They usually have had no interactions with people. They have an inbred distrust of humans and are difficult to socialize. They are skittish, hide, and are afraid of people. They take a lot of time and patience to work with them. A lot of kittens from shelters had a feral parent.

Experience

Since I was a child, over 45 years, I have been owned by a LOT of cats and kittens of almost every temperament, behavior, and personality. I have had experience with neurotic, disabled (including blind), stray, and 'problem child' cats and kittens. (A few normal cats too!) Plus all the things a lifetime of owning cats and research has taught me. I also have experience in feral cat behavior (which is different from domestic cats), and some experience with feral colonies that includes colony feeding and feral cat TNR (trap/neuter/release).

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