Jessica Char
Cat & Dog Behavior Consultant
wikiHow's Editorial Process wikiHow partners with over 1000+ experts from a wide range of fields to ensure our content is accurate and based on well-established research and testimony. Content Managers conduct interviews and work closely with each expert to review information, answer reader questions, and add credible advice. Learn more about our editorial process and why millions of readers trust wikiHow.
Co-authored Articles (24)
Repelling Cats: Keep Ferals and Strays Out of Your Yard and Garden
Learn how to keep neighborhood kitties from taking over your yardRegardless of whether you're a cat person, feral felines and strays can wreak havoc on your lawn and garden. If you don't want to hurt them, you just want ...
How to
Stop a Male Cat from Spraying
Spraying is communicative behavior male cats engage in for a variety of reasons. As the urine emitted in spraying is pungent, and can cause stains to furniture and carpets, spraying can be a problem for many cat owners. ...
How to Keep Cats Off Your Car: Natural Repellents & Preventative Solutions
Even if you're a total cat-lover, waking up to find paw prints or scratches on your car can be pretty frustrating. Whether the perpetrator is your cat, a neighborhood kitty, or a stray, there are plenty of effective and ...
How to
Separate Kittens from a Mother Cat for Adoption
If your cat has had kittens and you are planning on sending them to a new home, or if you are adopting a kitten, you’ll want to take steps to ensure that all parties involved—the kitten, mother, new owner and yoursel...
How to
Apologize to a Cat
Oh no! You've done something to deeply offend your cat, and now it won't even let you come near it. Fortunately, it is possible to earn a cat's forgiveness. This article will show you not only how to apologize to your ca...
How to
Keep Cats Out of the House
If you are trying to keep neighborhood strays out of your house, you can take some simple steps to keep them out. Scent barriers, as well as electronic devices and water deterrents can all keep cats at a distance. It can...
How to Humanely Get Rid of Stray Cats in Your Yard
Deter feral felines from your home with our complete guideCats are cute and fun to have around...until they’re not, like when they’re stray cats chasing away the birds in your yard and using your lawn as a litter box...
How to
Train an Outdoor Cat to Use a Litter Box
Does your cat need to learn how to use a litter box? Training takes patience, but it is possible to succeed.
How to
Get Rid of Cat Spray Odor
Cat spray odor can make your home smell very unappealing. It is a difficult scent for many people to stomach. It also tends to linger more than some other odors. The best way to keep your home smelling pleasant is to pre...
How to
Gain a Cat's Trust
Do you find yourself wishing that your new cat would be more friendly and trusting of you? By nature, cats are more independent and don't depend on your friendship. They also take longer to trust and respond less quickly...
How to
Discipline Your Cat or Kitten
You feel like you are at your wit’s end because your cat just won’t stop scratching your furniture, urinating outside of her/his litter box, or doing some other undesirable behavior. You may be willing to try anythin...
How to
Teach a Cat to Recognize Its Name
It’s no secret that cats can be obstinate creatures, but despite what you may have heard, cats ''can'' be trained. By learning a bit about what motivates cats and how they behave, and then implementing some simple tra...
How to
Keep a Cat Off a Stove
Curiosity won’t kill the cat, but it can lead to serious injury for your furry friend if they jump on a hot stove by accident. There’s no need to worry—cats are quick learners, and there are plenty of safe, harmles...
How to
Keep a Cat from Waking You Up
Has your kitty brought in mice through the cat flap at 3 in the morning? Has she taken a flying leap onto your softest and tenderest parts? Or is she just meowing at you enough to get you out of bed? Cats are masters of ...
How to
Stop a Cat from Chewing on Your Hair
Cats sometimes lick or chew their humans’ hair as a sign of affection, just like they groom their feline brethren. On occasion, these behaviors can also be provoked by stress or health problems, or they can result when...
How to Stop a Cat from Jumping onto Tables
Keeping your cat's paws on the floor and out of your food Cats have a natural instinct to climb to high places and get a good view of the area. Unfortunately, this tendency sometimes brings them to places they aren't sup...
How to
Play With Cats
Domestic cats, especially young kittens, are known for their love of play. This behavior mimics hunting and is important in helping kittens learn to stalk, capture, and kill prey. Cats also engage in play fighting, with ...
How to
Discipline Cats
When you love your cat, it can be hard to discipline him. Even when he is being bad, he can be so cute and cuddly that you don’t want to yell at him or tell him he is doing wrong. There may be other times when your cat...
How to
Break Up a Cat Fight
Cats are usually sweet and gentle, but when they go at it, things can get ugly. Breaking up cat fights quickly is crucial to prevent either cat from getting hurt. Figuring out what causes your cats to fight should be y...
How to
Introduce an Older Cat to a New Dog
If you're a cat owner thinking about getting a new dog, you might have some concerns about how the new pet will fit into your home. Planning their initial introduction, and taking steps to help both animals feel at ease,...
