Edited by: Ingrid King. Last updated: February 6, 2023 by Crystal Uys
Guest post by Nicole McCray
Cats can be more complex than dogs when it comes to training them, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t trainable. With a little time, patience and effort, you can train your cat.
Why is it important to train your cat?
According to veterinarians at Bond Vet Clinic, one of the most important reasons to train your cat is to familiarize them with entering a carrier. Not only will this make trips to the vet easier, but it can be vital in an emergency.
Training your cat can help their social skills, promote contentment, and reduce anxiety. Training can also strengthen your bond with your cat. Workouts can also be a fun way to exercise for cats. Exercise helps your cat feel happy while banishing boredom.
drive controls
Let your cat guide you during training. Not all cats will do everything you want them to do. Focus on behavior that seems to work more naturally for your cat and her personality.
You can train your cat to learn commands with simple clicker training, using words repetitively and rewarding them for following commands. Some of the basic phrases you can use to train your cat include:
- Find it: Ask your cat to find their treats and play treat locator games.
- Sit: Use the clicker each time your cat sits down to praise it. With lots of practice, your cat will come and sit at the right time when asked.
- Stay: When your cat is lying down, enter the command “stay”. Always follow up with a reward each time they stay in place as you step back or step away.
- Come: Cats can learn to come to you when you develop positive associations by shaking treat bags or containers and rewarding them when they come.
Let your cat train
Cats can get used to being on a leash. Leash training can be a great way to allow your cat to safely explore the outdoors and provide additional exercise. Not all cats will take a harness and leash. Try to get your cat used to both gradually, but don’t force it.
Training tips
Never punish or yell at your cat when training it. Sprays or other deterrents only serve to ruin your bond with your cat and do nothing to stop unwanted behavior.
With positive reinforcement, patience, and practice, training can be a great way to learn more about your cat’s personality. Let your cat set the pace, pace and make sure she enjoys progressing with you so it’s fun for both of you.
Nicole McCray is a die-hard animal lover who has worked in the pet care field for years. She’s a former vet tech, dog mom to her two rescue puppies, and grew up living and working at her family’s pet boarding house. She enjoys using her writing skills to share the knowledge she has gained throughout her career, hoping that her knowledge can help other pet parents. Visit his website at https://www.nicolemccray.com/
Ingrid King is an award-winning author, former veterinary hospital director, and veterinary journalist with a passion for cats.