By Heather E. Schwartz
My domestic shorthair, Kitty, always has been temperamental. I never was sure how to react when she bit, hissed and swiped her claws at my friends and family. I wanted to change her behavior, but it seemed so unpredictable, and my main tactic — scolding — wasn’t effective. Besides, Kitty was generally very sweet and loving … toward me, anyway.
So I made excuses and ignored the behavior for 14 years — until I learned I was pregnant. Then, hard questions began to formulate in my mind: Could I trust my cat around a baby? Was I going to have to give her up?
I was frantic with worry, but not for long. I learned from animal experts and other cat owners that it’s possible to modify just about any cat’s behavior. Their tactics worked for me and helped me prepare my cat for my baby. If you’re a soon-to-be parent and owner of a feisty feline, these tips could work for you, too.
**Get the October 2007 issue of CAT FANCY to read the full article.**