Buzz
Like any other pet, cats need to be trained to follow commands. However, due to their independent nature, training them requires patience. By using positive reinforcement and staying consistent, your cat can have a great time learning new commands while enjoying the process.
Steps
Learn how to train your cat
Use enticing rewards. Cats need regular, tasty rewards to learn commands effectively. Keep small, bite-sized treats handy during training sessions. Consistently reward them during short training sessions. You can also use a variety of treats to keep your cat engaged. Some appealing options include:
- Chopped chicken
- Small pieces of tuna
- Store-bought cat treats
- Small bits of dry food
Grab your cat's attention. Your cat won’t learn if it’s not interested. Start by offering a treat to capture their focus. If your cat seems uninterested in training, don’t force it—be patient and try again later.
Brian Bourquin, DVM
Veterinarian and Owner of Boston Veterinary Clinic
Veterinarian and Owner of Boston Veterinary Clinic
Expert Tip: Engage your cat with small, moving objects. Food isn’t as motivating for cats as it is for dogs, so treats or small fish pieces during training sessions may not be as effective.
Use a clicker. A pet clicker is a small device that makes a 'click' sound. Each time your cat performs the desired behavior, click and reward them. The sound and positive reinforcement will encourage your cat to repeat the behavior.
- Clickers can be purchased at pet stores. If unavailable, you can use a pen click as an alternative.
Keep training sessions short but frequent. Cats learn through repetition, so short, regular sessions help them grasp commands. Try repeating lessons multiple times a day. Keep sessions brief to maintain your cat’s attention and encourage them to stay engaged.
Repeat lessons during cat training. When your cat successfully follows a command, reward it. If your cat remains interested, try repeating the lesson 5-10 times in a row (rewarding each time). This repetition reinforces the newly learned behavior.
Don’t use commands until your cat has learned the desired behavior. For example, if you want your cat to sit, only say 'Sit!' once it has already sat down. This helps your cat associate the command with the action.
Teach one command at a time. Positive reinforcement through praise and rewards helps cats learn commands. However, trying to teach multiple commands at once will confuse your cat about which behavior is being rewarded. Wait until your cat masters one command before moving on to the next.
Don’t punish your cat if it hasn’t learned a command. Unlike punishment, rewards and positive reinforcement are more effective for teaching cats. Yelling or punishing your cat for not performing correctly will only stress them out and reduce their interest. If your cat hasn’t mastered a command, try again later and give them a break to keep them eager for the next session.
Teach your cat specific commands
Teach your cat to sit. When your cat is standing on all fours, hold a treat in front of its face to grab its attention, then slowly move the treat above its head. The cat will follow the treat and naturally lower its hindquarters. Once it sits, reinforce the behavior with praise and a reward.
- If your cat doesn’t fully sit the first time, still reward it. Repeat the exercise, and your cat will gradually improve.
Teach your cat to high-five. Start by encouraging your cat to lift its paw by rewarding it each time it does so. Next, hold a treat in your hand and wait for your cat to use its paw to grab the treat. Reward your cat when it succeeds. Repeat this exercise, gradually raising your hand higher until your cat lifts its paw as if giving a high-five.
Teach your cat to come when called. Try this exercise during mealtime when your cat is hungry. Call its name and tap its food bowl to get its attention. When your cat comes to you, praise and reward it.
- Once your cat is used to coming when called, you can use the command 'Come here' to call it.
- You can vary the exercise by calling your cat from greater distances or from different locations.
Teach your cat to touch an object. You can train your cat to touch an object, such as a toy or a stable surface. This command should be taught after your cat has learned to sit. Once your cat sits calmly near the object, lure it closer with a treat. When your cat touches the object, reward it.
- Once your cat is engaged, you can teach it to touch the object with a specific body part, such as its front paw. Reward your cat when it performs the desired action.
Teach your cat to sit on its hind legs. Hold a treat above your cat’s head, but not too close so it can’t reach it. When your cat sits on its hind legs and reaches for the treat with its front paws, use the command 'sit' and reward it.
Teach your cat to shake hands. Sit in front of your cat and gently touch its front paw. When it lifts its paw off the ground, hold it and give a light shake as if shaking hands. Immediately reward your cat afterward.
Teach your cat to meow on command. Cats can produce a variety of sounds (like meows, chirps, purrs, or growls), many of which are used to communicate with humans. You can train your cat to meow or make other sounds on command by rewarding it when it produces the desired sound. Once your cat associates the reward with the sound, you can start using commands like 'meow' or 'chirp' to prompt it.
Tips
- Don’t expect your cat to learn commands quickly. Be patient and consistent.
- If your cat (or kitten) tends to scratch or bite, training commands can help you interact with it more effectively.
- Once your cat has learned a command, avoid overusing it.
- Always give your cat attention after training sessions—they deserve rewards for their hard work.
- Training commands help keep your cat active. Encourage your cat to exercise daily for about 20 minutes to an hour.
- If you want to teach your cat to jump over obstacles, use a toy or treat as a lure. Call its name and say 'Jump over!' Your cat will leap to catch the toy or treat. After a few tries, give the command without the reward—just call its name and say 'Jump over!'
