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Begging for Food HOMEWARD TRAILS RESOURCE LIBRARY: CATS!

Becky, all images on the site should have a caption AND an alt Tag!
Unfortunately, many people encourage begging for food by hand feeding their cats, or allowing them to sit on the dinner table while they eat. Once this behavior is started, it can be hard to stop.
Becky, all images on the site should have a caption AND an alt Tag!
Unfortunately, many people encourage begging for food by hand feeding their cats, or allowing them to sit on the dinner table while they eat. Once this behavior is started, it can be hard to stop. Unfortunately, many people encourage begging for food by hand feeding their cats, or allowing them to sit on the dinner table while they eat. Once this behavior is started, it can be hard to stop. Unfortunately, many people encourage begging for food by hand feeding their cats, or allowing them to sit on the dinner table while they eat. Once this behavior is started, it can be hard to stop.
Step 1
First, prevent this behavior by always feeding your cat from his food dish. Feeding your cat on a strict schedule will help him get used to a routine of eating when his food is available, not when any food is available. Do not feed him table scraps, on the dinner table or while you are eating.
Step 2
Second, as in the case of other attention seeking behaviors, punishment is not effective for this behavior, and may just reinforce it.
Step 3
Third, use the methods described in the “jumping on furniture” document to keep cats off counters and tables.
Finally…
If you feed your cat on a schedule, they will perceive their meals as a reward, and the behavior will be “self-reinforcing” – they get their food and treats in the appropriate location. And like dogs, cats can be taught tricks. Doing so keeps your cat mentally stimulated and rewards only positive behavior with food or treats!

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More News from the Trail!

  • Clear the Shelters Adoption Weekend – August 31 and September 1

    Reduced and Waived Adoption Fees! Join Homeward Trails as we participate in NBCUniversal Local’s 10th annual Clear The Shelters nationwide pet adoption event.  Help us clear the Adoption Center and our foster homes August 31 and September 1 – many of our adoptable cats and dogs will have reduced fee and fee waived adoptions.  Homeward Trails Manny Law Adoption Center 11116 Fairfax Station Rd. Fairfax Station, VA 22039 Saturday, August 31 10 AM – 4 PM  Sunday, September 1 10 AM – 4 PM Our nation’s animal shelters are facing a capacity crisis and need your help now to get pets from shelter kennels into the couches of loving homes! Since its 2015 inception, Clear The Shelters has led to more than one million pet adoptions and raised more than $4.5 million. The 2023 campaign resulted in more than 158,000 adoptions – lifting the all-time adoption total past one million – and raised over $575,000.