One of the most commonly asked questions by new cat owners is “cat cats be trained?” According to experts at the Humane Society and our experience, cats can indeed be trained. Like most animals, the easiest way to train them is to shower them in positive reinforcement.
We’ll help you learn exactly how to train a cat, show you the best cat training tools, teach you how to train a cat to use a litter box, and even how to leash train a cat. If you want a more well behaved cat then you’re in the right place!
The short answer to the question “can cats be trained” is yes, they can be trained. However, they generally won’t learn tricks in the same way dogs will. Let’s start by covering the basics of the best way to train a cat: positive reinforcement.
While it’s important to know how to train your cat with positive reinforcement, it’s equally important to know what to avoid. These three things should be avoided if you want to train your cat for good:
There are a number of cat training tools on the market that may be of great benefit to you as you work on training your cat. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular choices.
If you’re simply trying to train your cat away from things then a cat training spray may be a good choice.
For example, owners use it on cords, window shades, and other items they don’t want their cats chewing. The spray is non-toxic but doesn’t taste good to the cats so they’ll soon stop chewing.
[amazon box=”B00EG8LIN0″ template=”list”]There are several types of cat training collars. Some give a cat a gentle shock when they go outside of their approved area. For example, if you want your cat to go outdoors but you don’t want them to run off, you can create a perimeter and if they go out of it, they’ll get a gentle shock.
Another type of cat training collar has a remote control that allows you to give them a gentle shock. This is used for scratching, biting, and any other negative behavior you don’t like. Simply give them a very mild shock and they’ll quickly associated the behavior as a bad behavior.
Finally, there is a type of cat training collar that actually soothes cats. This is used for cats that bite out of fear or are otherwise anxious. It contains pheromones that naturally soothe a cat. They wear it for up to thirty days and their anxiety and fear could be significantly reduced.
Clicker training for cats is pretty simple. You buy a small clicker, which is just what it sounds like – a device that makes a clicking sound when you press down on it. To get started, click the clicker and give your cat a treat. Do this a few times so that the cat immediately understands that clicking = treats.
The first thing to teach them should be an easy trick. Try the simple stick trick. You’ll need the following:
To begin with, have the stick close to your cat, just a few inches from them. Then click and treat any time they move even a little bit toward the stick, even if they just glance at the stick. Do this over and over again. Soon your cat won’t go near the stick out of curiosity but to get their treat.
After your cat has learned to move toward the stick to get their food, stop rewarding that behavior. This forces them to try a little harder and modify their behavior to get the treat. Once the cat has moved it up to the next level, name the trick. Say “touch” or “target” every time they touch it and then give them a treat.
Once you’ve mastered this simple first trick via clicker training for cats, you can move on to any number of other tricks in the same way. However, there are five rules you should always keep in mind when you’re training them this way:
Many new pet owners wonder how to house train a cat. According to the ASPCA, about 10% of cats have issues learning to use a litter box. This simple guide and easy tips will help you learn how to train a cat to use the litter box.
First, you need litter pans. You’ll find endless options in colors and sizes but you need to be sure to buy a litter box that’s four inches deep at a minimum and is large enough that your cat can use it without being cramped. For multiple cats, get at least one pan per cat plus one extra.
Then you’ll need to choose the litter itself. You can buy cat litter made out of ground clay or other materials or you can simply use sand, wood shavings, or even shredded newspapers. Be sure to change the litter when it’s soiled and pay attention to any litter preferences your cat has.
Related: The Best Clumping Cat Litter
Put your litter boxes in a spot that’s both out of the way but convenient enough that you’ll see it regularly enough that you’ll remember to clean it. Add just two inches of litter to the bottom. Adding more will likely lead to your cat scattering the excess all over your floors.
Older cats likely just need to know where the litter pan is and they’ll use it. However, kittens may need more help. For the first few days, keep your kitten in just a room or two so they remember where the pan is and have easy access. Don’t move the pan too quickly or your cat may forget where it is.
In recent years, cat potty training kits have gotten very popular. These actually train your cat to use the toilet.
They start as a litter ring that completely covers your toilet. Once your cat is used to using it, you gradually remove rings until eventually your cat is simply squatting over your toilet and using the potty.
If you’ve been wondering how to train a cat to sit, then we’ve got the guide you’ve been looking for! Just follow these six steps and your cat will be trained in no time.
If you want to take your cat outside then you’ll have to learn how to leash train a cat. Fortunately, it’s much easier than you might think. Here are some tips to make it even easier.
These simple tips on how to leash train a cat could have you and your feline friend heading out for nature walks in no time!