Behavior & Training

When a cat stops using their litter box, it’s never a fun experience — for you or for them! The good news is that this behavior can typically be resolved, and we are here to help!

San Diego Humane Society is pleased to share this directory of known Positive Reinforcement (R+) trainers from primarily around San Diego County and surrounding areas.

It’s important to regularly clip your pet’s nails to avoid them from becoming overgrown. Overgrown nails can cause pain, infection, decreased traction and injury to the pet, humans and other animals.

When you bring a new pet home, it’s important to give them space, a safe environment and time to adjust to life as part of your family! While it’s exciting to have a new animal in your home and you might be eager to interact with them right away, remember that they’re adjusting to an unfamiliar place and new people.

We know you’re eager to bond with your new pet, but it usually doesn’t happen overnight! The 3-3-3 Rule outlines the adjustment period your pet will need as they get used to their new home.

Welcoming a new cat into your family home? Here’s how to make the introduction to your resident cat as smooth as possible!

Animals often behave in ways we don’t understand — and since we can’t ask them about their behavior directly (like we can with humans), it can feel challenging to address behavior we don’t like.

Scratching is a natural behavior for cats, but we often have to teach them which objects in our home are meant for kitty claws. Let’s dive into how you can encourage your cat to scratch appropriately!

Cats love to be clean, and using a litter box typically comes naturally. Most kittens and cats don’t need to be trained to use a litter box — pop a tiny kitten into a box and they know what to do!

Declawing is a medical procedure to amputate each toe at the first joint (third phalanx bone). The medical term for declawing is onychectomy. Many people believe it’s the equivalent of cutting our fingernails, but this is not the case.

So you’ve got a shy cat — maybe they vanish as soon as someone comes to the door, live under the bed or startle easily. Because this behavior is so common in cats, it’s easy to see this as normal, when really, shyness is not a personality trait but an expression of fear!

Whether mild or severe, there are many things we can do to increase your shy or fearful kitty’s confidence and reduce their fear. This guide will cover the basics.