I've been told it's acceptable to flick a cat's ears (gently, obviously) because that's what a mama cat does to her kittens when they do something dumb. Any opinions on this?

[–] ricecake@sh.itjust.works 14 points 2 months ago (2 children)

I personally don't use violence as a punishment, but a gentle ear flick is fine because it's not causing pain and, as you say, it'll communicate "don't" in a way they get without being likely to make them afraid of you.

I opt for a "tsst" sound instead.

[–] real_squids@sopuli.xyz 11 points 2 months ago (2 children)

Mine are trained to understand that hissing = wrong, the kind you do when inhaling with your teeth clenched. Can recommend, you're very unlikely to make that sound by accident and afaik cats are great at picking up similar sounds (so it gets their attention better)

[–] Timecircleline@sh.itjust.works 5 points 2 months ago

One of mine hisses all the time. She'll hiss and then slow blink. We say that she's swearing and has a potty mouth, because she grew up in the streets. If I hiss at her she doesn't flinch, so I have to physically move her from doing something I don't like.

[–] FordBeeblebrox@lemmy.world 5 points 2 months ago

Mine are also trained this way, although I do feel bad sometimes when two of them are quietly chilling on the couch while the third is climbing on my keyboard and when I hiss they all flinch and look at me

[–] idunnololz@lemmy.world 7 points 2 months ago (3 children)

I spray mine with water if they do something really bad. Like bite someone.

[–] ricecake@sh.itjust.works 9 points 2 months ago (1 children)

I've tried, but they don't do wrong often enough for me to keep track of the bottle, so by the time I've found it, it would just be a punishment for some random thing and useless.

[–] idunnololz@lemmy.world 3 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

Very true. It pretty much only works when he bites me.

[–] ChaosCoati@midwest.social 9 points 2 months ago (2 children)

My brother’s cat just stands there and braces for the water spray, then goes right back to misbehaving

[–] chatokun@lemmy.dbzer0.com 4 points 2 months ago

Wasn't a cat, but my friends pit pup started treating it like a game. Act up, I grab the bottle, she'd square up ready to try and dodge the spray.

[–] raynethackery@lemmy.world 2 points 2 months ago

Mine loves the spray bottle. Not the water, the actual spray head. He rubs his face against it and wants me to drag it down his back. Isn't really afraid of the water, just gets a little annoyed if I accidentally squeeze the trigger while rubbing his face.

[–] skulblaka@sh.itjust.works 4 points 2 months ago

I don't keep a spray bottle around but I do keep some canned air (electronics duster) on my desk and that pretty much accomplishes the same thing without making anyone damp

A loud PSHHT sound and some harmless wind is a good analogue for "No" and he seems to get it

[–] RampantParanoia2365@lemmy.world 3 points 2 months ago (1 children)

But cats can't flick things.

[–] Sergio@slrpnk.net 3 points 2 months ago

Yeah, they more like swat at their ears. I've seen an adult cat do this to another when they did something they didn't like.

[–] real_squids@sopuli.xyz 2 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

If it's something serious I take them to the scene of the crime, pinch the neck folds (do not ever carry them by that btw) and speak in an angry voice. Works best with cats that have more than 2 braincells lol
edit: mine would ignore the ear flicks, it's not even an annoyance to them