Cats Can’t Be Trained – Right?

Can you train a cat? Is it really achievable for the average cat owner and, if it is, are there cat training tips? Everyone knows you can train dogs but our feline companions don’t have quite the same reputation. Most of us think of them as wise but that doesn’t necessarily equate to trainability. Does it?

Technically, cats are masters at training humans. They’ve got us trained to care for them, hand deliver their food, buy their accessories and lavish them with affection. But we need to find out if we can train them.

You can’t train a cat, can you?

Can you train a cat? Simple question but not everyone knows the answer. Well, the answer is yes. Just as much as cats influence human behaviour, we influence theirs too. So, the answer is yes. You can absolutely train a cat!

“I had been told that the training procedure with cats was difficult. It’s not. Mine had me trained in two days.”

– Bill Dana

If you’re still sceptical, check out this video of a cat dad training his cats. It’s got over 76 million views and counting and that’s because it’s well worth watching:

Training a cat vs training a dog

Is training a cat different to training a dog? To answer, although cat training seems more shrouded in mystery than dog training, it basically comes down to our history and how we relate. Essentially, it comes down to this:

• How were cats domesticated
• How were dogs domesticated

There are some key differences, namely that dogs and humans relied directly on each other early in the co-evolution process.

Cats on the other hand didn’t come to need us to feed them but, instead, were attracted to the pests who ate our food supplies. Cats ate rats and mice and, eventually, later than dogs, they became friends with humans.

Do cats learn the same way as dogs?

This longer history between dogs and humans of relying on each other has led to different approaches to behaviour modification. Ultimately, dogs are more social than cats and therefore they’re more eager to be trained.

Cats will get there just as successfully. But as they evolved to be our friends later than dogs, they sometimes take a little more time and may need the training to be more gradual.

Cat training tips

So, how do you go about training your feline friend? Be patient and have your treats ready because reward based training is the hero when it comes to methods.

Here are some basic steps you’ll apply, regardless of what you’re training your cat to do:

Choose a skill to teach your cat

Do some research, see what other cats are doing and decide what skill you want to teach your cat. Find out what the best steps are for that particular skill.

Ideally you want something that’s not too hard to begin with. You might also choose something that matches up with your cat’s usual behaviour. For instance, if they like using their paws, then maybe they’ve a penchant for opening doors or playing ball.

(Be careful of giving them a skill that provides access to foods, medicine and other household things that can poison pets). Avoiding accidental ingestion in pets is always crucial.

Choose methods you both enjoy

Cat body language is multi-faceted and likewise there are a range of signals you can choose to communicate your lessons. You can use hand signals, voice commands or a clicker. Mix and match to find what works best for you and your cat.

Train your cat one step at a time

No doubt you’ll watch numerous videos of cats doing amazing things but Rome wasn’t built in a day. When you’re training your cat, go slow.

This is super important or your cat could get frustrated and throw in the towel (figuratively speaking, unless you’ve somehow trained them to do this).

Focus on one skill and give yourself time as well. The process, however gradual, should be fulfilling in and of itself.

Minimise distractions

You might train your cat anytime you have a spare moment but generally speaking try to avoid having distractions. That could be sound distractions like the radio, or social distractions like other pets or people.

Try removing any other stimuli that could catch your cat’s attention, removing their focus off their learning. Find a quiet space without loud noises, visitors, or other pets to keep your cat’s attention.

Be patient, enjoy it

Just as important as it is to go slow, it is to be patient, with your cat and with yourself. Cats have their own rhythm, so take it slow and see training as a bonding experience.

Repetition is key

Just as you needed to build your reading skills starting at letters, moving onto phrases, grammar and sentences, each aspect requires repetition to settle in. Repetition will help your cat remember and apply their training in multiple contexts.

Keep it short

Lastly, keep it short. Short sessions will mean both you as the trainer and kitty as the trainee can stay fresh and look forward to each training session.

Are cats easy to train?

Cats are known for their intelligence. Some cats have been known to open doors, flush toilets (and poop in them) and even play ball like a dog. Sometimes it’s down to the individual cat personality and sometimes it’s down to the breed.

But ultimately, you can train a cat and some are easier to train than others.

Breeds like the Maine Coon, Siamese and Abyssinian along with many others are known for being easy to train. If you’re busy deciding on a pet cat and you want to train them, then research different cat breeds to find out which are known for being brainy.

Also read more on adopting a cat.

What can you train cats to do?

Lots! The world is your oyster. Cats can do many of the same tricks dogs can. They can also do many of the same activities dogs do. They just have a different saunter and a different perspective on life. So go with the flow and see if you can teach them some of these cat activities:

How to train a cat to walk on a lead

Training a cat to walk on a lead is possible but isn’t guaranteed. Some cats go in for the whole experience and enjoy it greatly – though you have to be on the lookout for curious dogs so choose your route and time of day carefully.

The process of training a cat to walk on a lead is about taking it slow and getting them used to the lead before heading out. This may take a day, a few days or a few weeks. Every cat has their own pace and you never want to try speeding that up or the whole process could backfire.

We’ve rounded up the steps involved in our Guide on How to Train a Cat to Walk on a Lead. There are some great videos in there too of cats walking… and some not walking.

How to do cat litter box training

When it comes to cat training tips for using during litter box training, the first rule is starting right away. Your kitten will need to go numerous times every day, so the sooner they learn where, the happier they and you will be.

Show them the box and encourage digging and covering behaviour. You can do this by gently holding their paw and showing them the motion for digging in the kitty litter. Take your kitten to the box after meals and when they wake up. Same for when you see them crouching.

Get the full Monty on cat training tips with our Guide to Cat Litter Box Training. Perhaps take it one step further and read about how to teach a cat to go on the loo with our Guide to Cat Toilet Training.

Can a bad cat be trained?

Firstly, we’d like to say there’s no such thing as a ‘bad’ cat, however there can be a cat that’s picked up bad behaviours as coping mechanisms. And, the answer to whether you can train such a cat is yes. You can. However, it might not be a process you can do alone.

Often the best route to teach a cat is hiring the service of a qualified veterinary pet behaviourist who can step in to help you and your cat. They’ll be able to help your cat unlearn bad behaviours and help them replace them with new ones.

Can you train a dog to like cats?

The best way to train a dog to like their cat siblings is through getting the introductions right. By setting a good foundation neither animal will feel threatened and this allows them to find a natural route to getting to know one another.

This takes time, planning and sometimes requires you to invest in pet accessories. A gate, for example – to help keep your canine and feline friends apart as they get familiar with one another’s scent and sensibility.

Find out the dog and cat training tips involved in our Guide to Puppy and Cat Introduction.

More about feline friends

Training cats well means understanding them well. To this end, we’ve rounded up some top-notch articles about cat behaviour.

Here they are:

1. How to Talk to Cats (and be understood)
2. Cat Body Language Decoded
3. Why Do Cats Purr?
4. Understanding Cat Behaviour
5. Why Do Cats Knead? (do they like fresh bread?)

Now that you’ve got the low-down on cat-speak and cat training tips, why not do something that shows how much you care?

Give your trained cat award winning cat insurance

Whether you train your cat or not, there’s a major trick to providing them with a safety net. Buy your favourite feline quality and affordable award winning cat insurance. It helps ensure you can take them to the vet for unexpected tests and treatment, by protecting your pocket through reimbursement for a wide range of vet treatments.

This includes blood work, X-rays, surgery, hospital stay overs, prescription medication and more. You get to choose the level of cover for your paw-pal, from accident only, to accident and illness or that plus dental cover.

With PD Insurance you get one or more months of pet insurance FREE. Click below to get a quick quote today.