A complete guide on how to train a cat

Pet parents often attend dog training seminars, but may write off cats as untrainable. And we know it isn’t for lack of feline intelligence—cats know how to weasel their way into your affections, slip snacks off the kitchen counter, and memorize when you come home like an experienced spy!

As it turns out, cats are very intelligent and trainable! However, they might need some motivation to kick-start their training process. Cats are their own “boss,” so you’ll need to use positive reinforcement to convince them that training sessions are worth their time.

With consistency, you can have your cat housebroken, countertop trained, and even performing tricks for guests — and with this guide, you’ll be able to keep your sanity in the process. 

Setting boundaries with your cat keeps them safe, and can give a sense of order to your home. For example, housebreaking your cat protects your floors and contains any potential diseases in the litter box. Harness training your cat allows them to go on safe, leashed walks and makes traveling easier. 

Any training can be difficult at the moment, but it pays off in the long run. Training using positive reinforcement can actually be fun for your cat and strengthen your bond with them.

Studying feline behavior and learning your cat’s quirks goes a long way toward fostering a healthy training process. Before implementing training sessions, here are a few things to keep in mind: 

Learn your kitty’s love language — Is your cat more motivated by high praise or their favorite treats? While most cats appreciate snacks, some will do almost anything for a treat while others don’t seem to care. If your cat is very food motivated, scheduling their training sessions right before mealtime might help.

Keep it consistent — Try to stay consistent with command words and timing. Always reward them at the exact moment of their good behavior with praise and treats.  If you’re housebreaking your cat, you’ll need to take them to their box every couple of hours, or if you notice they’re about to have an accident.  

Gauge the mood — If your cat is especially irritable, it might not be a good time for training. The best way to train is when your cat is in a good mood and in between meal times so they’ll be more receptive to treats. 

Work it into your schedule — Decide what time of day works best for your daily training. Aim for a brief window that fits your cat’s attention span—probably 5 minutes or less. Then, stay consistent once you pick a time. 

Decide on your goals — Before you start cat training, you should work out your goals and what you want to achieve. You may want to teach your kitty new tricks, fix an unwanted behavior, or work on something specific, like getting your pet used to going into a crate for travel.  

Focus on what you want them to do — Instead of reprimanding bad behavior, experts say to prioritize redirecting your cat’s attention to something positive. For example, if your cat claws your furniture, show them a cardboard scratcher instead.

Things to avoid when training cats

Motivation is key, so you’ll want to be sure to only use positive reinforcement. Acting negatively towards cats, such as yelling at, swatting, or spraying them, won’t produce the behaviors you desire. In fact, it can sever the relationship between you and your cat by making them afraid of you. 

Set realistic expectations; and then use positive reinforcement, consistency, and patience to achieve them. Remember — being sensitive about your kitty’s heart is more important than teaching them to stay off the counters.

Once you place your order for cat treats, the next step is to decide on a few things before the training begins. Here are some things to keep in mind: 

Decide on a training method

All of the training methods use praise and rewards, but some place more emphasis on building positive associations with words or sounds instead of treats alone. Choose the method that best suits your cat’s personality.  

• Positive reinforcement. This simple method rewards your cat with treats (or something else they prefer) as soon as they perform the desired behavior. Learn to sit on cue? Give them a treat. 
• Clicker training.  When training your cat, you’ll use the clicker coupled with treats when your cat succeeds. Over time, your cat will learn to associate the clicker noise with doing something good and you can put the treat bag away.  
• Vocal cues. For this method, you’ll choose one specific command word or phrase, such as “sit,” and reward the behavior with positive reinforcement. 

Decide on your first trick

Consider what your cat already knows (or might have taught themselves) when deciding on their first trick.  You might also have to give them a little basic training first depending on the ultimate training method you decide to use. For example, if you choose clicker training, you’ll need to introduce the sound of the clicker and reward the noise with a treat. 

👉 Start simple by rewarding a positive behavior that your cat does on their own, such as ringing a bell when they want to come inside the room.

Even if you eventually plan on teaching your cat elaborate tricks, it’s a great idea to begin with the basics. Here are some essential commands you’ll want to teach your cat before teaching them acrobatics (and how to do it):

Most pet parents won’t have to worry about litter box training. Mother cats instinctively train their kittens to bury their litter, but occasionally you may care for a kitten who had a neglectful mother or perhaps was separated too young. Additionally, older cats with cognitive dysfunction Trusted Source Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine Veterinary school. Go to source may also need to relearn litter box training. Here are the steps you’ll need to take:

🚨 Eliminating outside of the litter box may be a sign of a urinary tract infection, which can become dangerous, especially in neutered males. Visit your vet right away if your cat exhibits any UTI symptoms.

Harness training a cat enables them to explore safely and can broaden their social and travel opportunities. The eventual goal of harness training a cat is to teach them how to walk on a leash, but it’s important to start small. Here’s how to get started:

Some feline antics aren’t easily curbed with words and clickers. For these destructive behaviors, you’ll likely find more success redirecting their attention to something more positive. 

 Here are a few common behavioral concerns to watch for — and how to address them: 

• Scratching furniture. Cats might scratch as a way to claim their territory—which, of course, includes your expensive sofa. Adding scratching posts or cardboard pads to your space can help minimize this behavior. So can double-sided tape, or couch protectors.
• Yowling for food or attention. The best way to deal with this annoying behavior is to ignore them. When your cat stops meee-roowwwing, you can then give them what they want. 
• Uprooting houseplants. Despite the Instagram aesthetics, it’s incredibly difficult to keep persnickety pets and delicate houseplants under the same roof. While you should avoid some common houseplants that are toxic to your cat, you can grow plants easily by putting the plants in a kitty-proof zone.
• Stubborn potty habits. If your kitten has trouble house-training, Dr. Irish suggests using feline pheromone products to encourage them to come inside the litter box.

Sudden behavioral changes, such as non-stop yowling or eliminating outside the litterbox, always require immediate medical attention. Cats are creatures of habit and don’t change up their behavior often. If your cat isn’t acting like themselves, they might be crying out for help.

However, if they have a stubborn or lifelong habit that home training can’t shake, such as food aggression, feel free to reach out to a cat behaviorist. The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior provides a free directory so you can find a certified professional near you. 

Cat training rewards you and your favorite feline with essential life skills that they’ll need to thrive. Training with positive reinforcements can strengthen the bond between you and your cat and is good for their mental stimulation. Remember, training takes time, consistency, and patience. 

If there are some behaviors you can’t seem to curb, such as biting, or if your cat suddenly develops a new habit, such as eliminating outside their box when they’re trained, reach out to a cat behaviorist or your vet for advice.