Reasons not to scold your cat

Do you scold your cat just because you come home after a long tiring day and finds him on the table pushing off items or scratching your favorite couch with his nails? If so, then may not appropriate to scold your cat. Although, pet training is one of the complex tasks as it requires a lot of patience besides dealing with our daily life stresses.

Scolding or punishing your cat for his bad behavior can create many problems, and it will not get you anywhere. Punishment can teach your cat that something is unpleasant, but it does not teach him what is desirable. Some cat experts advocate scolding for training cats to stop doing unpleasant things at home. But the result is that over time it is more likely to affect the cat-human relationship.

Here are few reasons why you should avoid yelling at your cat:

1. Scolding Can Encourage Bad Behavior:

Scolding your cat is still giving him attention. Although it is negative attention, it's still something he likely wants. Just like a little kid do something unpleasant to get his mom and dad to look. The same is the situation with the cats who show destructive behaviors to catch your eye.  In other words, by scolding the cat, you may be encouraging him to do more of such annoying behaviors. And it does not teach your kitty what kind of behaviors you would like him to present.

It is just an undefined directive to stop from doing something without a clear direction of what to do instead.  If you find your cat doing something wrong, it is recommended that you should positively redirect him. Like calling your cat's name or doing something else to get the cat's attention, then offering the cat a treat or toys to play with, which is a good idea. By doing so, your cat gets distracted from whatever bad behavior he was doing. You can then spend a little time playing with the cat afterward. This will make your cat less likely to return to previous mischievous behavior.

2. Scolding Doesn't Solve the Problem

One of the reasons that cats repeat behavior is because there is always a payout for them. Let’s take an example. It could be fun for them to throw down the items from the table. But the fact is that it presents him the best view out of your kitchen window while jumping on the countertop. Instead of being rude toward them for doing something natural, change the environment and provide them with an alternative.  Considering scolding as the only solution to the problem is not ok and can neither be.

3. Cats Aren't Mind Readers

Screaming at cats might make sense to you, but that doesn't mean it does for your cat. Pets have no idea why you are shouting at them. They will be really confused and can't associate scolding with learning behavior. Even if your cat gets the message through scolding, scratching household items is not a good thing to do. Still, the cat is more likely to make sure you are not around before he starts scratching again instead of stooping this action altogether.

So basically, instead of learning not to do such behavior at all, your cat will learn to do the unwanted behavior when you aren't around to yell at him. However, it is worthless to teach them in this way. Using positive reinforcement is pretty more effective in encouraging the cat to do something.

4. Screaming Is Bad for You As Well

Scolding is not only hurtful for your cat but is also bad for you. It is essential to keep in mind the psychical effect it will have on you as a human. A matter of fact is that shouting at cats is a violent and negative behavior as it stimulates negative thoughts and feelings in ourselves. If our reaction toward an innocent creature showing natural behaviors is to scream, then there is possibly something wrong with us.

It may feel natural to scold or to hit your cat for his bad behavior in the time of stress. However, it can be extremely frustrating to receive naughty behavior from the cat. But screaming is an unhealthy way to deal with a problem. Sometimes, our frustrations contribute to how we treat our pets. Instead of yelling at them, you should resort to tender ways. Such as treating them gently and spending more time playing and doing other different activities can be pretty helpful. This will result in resolving problematic behaviors, and you will find less urge to shout generally.

5. Scolding Can Change Their Behavior Around You:

Too much scolding or just one time can be too much for cats. Such behavior can make them apprehensive around you. Do you like your teacher or boss who scolds you a lot and sometimes without any reason? Don't you feel anxious whenever such a person is around you? Well, it happens to all of us, and the same is the case with cats.

Scolding can make your cat jumpy to motion or the presence of people, and it may teach your cat to consider you as a scary person. Raised voices can frighten the cats. Feline ears are more sensitive to loud and, more particularly, high-pitched noises. In response to shouting, the cat will flatten his ears, lower his head, and seek a place to hide away from all the loud voices.  Moreover, your cat may become more distant toward you. Once a normally affectionate pet can quickly shy away and oppose to sit in your lap. To avoid such problematic behaviors, teach your cat at the start, rather than scolding him when he makes a mistake.

6. Scolding Can Worsen The Situation

Understand this; there is always a reason for the cat's annoying behavior. In contrast to what people believe, cats are not cruel. When you try to stop your cat from engaging in its natural behavior, the situation can get worse. Because they are exercising their natural hunting instinct, they may seem destructive.

Since they are stressed, they are more likely to try to dodge us by jumping on countertops. They may become more devastating out of anxiety. They may try to worry us because they want to rectify the bond. The biggest drawback of the scolding is that it doesn't teach your cat what needs to be done in any way. And on top of that, the side effects experienced by your cat can be detrimental.

7. Your Timing Will Be Off:

According to most the certified animal trainers, when you scold your cat to take him off the counter, he may connect the scolding with being picked up rather than being on the counter itself. Understandably, you want him to stop jumping on the countertop. But it may be possible that the cat perceives scolding as having to do with a noise that simultaneously happens. Even you punish your pet within seconds of his act; your cat will not understand why he is being punished.

8. Their Bad Behavior Is a Reflection of you:

As a cat's keeper, it is your responsibility to provide a healthy and stimulating environment for your cat. Bad behaviors are shown in response to something that is not quite right. Hence there is a need to change or to improve it. It is stupid to think that cats won't react negatively in response to our negative behavior toward them.

The chances of changing their undesirable behaviors can be increased by shifting the responsibility from your cat to you. Another crucial thing is that never beat your cat or physically harm them. Cats don't respond well to hitting, and it's insane. Hitting your cat can hurt him badly. In response, hitting the cat might bite you back if you try to do so. Cats respond to

It is an outdated method, and the particular reason for the circumstance is fine alternative methods are more convenient.

So should I scold my cat? No, you should not, instead, use positive reinforcement. 

To summarize everything stated so far, if a person scolds a cat verbally or dominates over them with a louder voice while staring at them, what is the result? The cat will naturally feel responsive and act in a submissive manner. In the case of people, when they turn their back if they are annoyed or fed up with others when cats do the same thing, the reason is that they are being submissive and acknowledging that fact. As many cats are more complicated, they are not likely to follow many orders. However, they can learn where to go and where they shouldn't, even they may decide to disobey the orders. In a nutshell, the cat's owner must be consistent in his behavior from the start to avoid confusing them and avoid his cat's problematic behaviors.