How to Train a Kitten

Kittens are not like puppies, so their training process differs from that of dogs. Generally, training a kitten is more challenging for those accustomed to training dogs or other animals, as kittens tend to be more independent and less responsive to human commands than other pets. However, with the right techniques and patience, you can train a kitten to be a joyful, healthy companion who primarily follows instructions.

Allow the mother cat to help the kitten adapt for at least eight weeks. Typically, kittens need a minimum of two months to adjust with their mother before becoming independent. During this period, the mother cat will handle most of the 'training', and you can assist in helping the kitten develop appropriate habits.

• Kittens begin weaning at around one month old and should be completely weaned and able to eat solid food by eight weeks old.
• If the mother cat has had a litter of kittens and you are weaning them, it is recommended to wait at least two months before fully separating them from the mother. The mother will teach the kittens essential skills such as eating properly, using the litter box, and understanding their strengths.

Avoid purchasing kittens that have been weaned too early. If you are buying a kitten from a store, it is essential to confirm their exact age. Kittens that are weaned prematurely tend to be more aggressive and require more training compared to those who have been weaned properly.

Continue the adaptation training for the kitten. The ideal pets are those that can adapt well when they are young. Kittens that adapt well will allow people of all ages and appearances to interact closely with them starting from 2 weeks of age. This interaction should take place every day, ideally for 5-10 minutes at least twice a day – the more frequently, the better.

• If the kitten does not get used to and familiarize itself with humans, you will face a tough struggle in training them. This is because the kitten will be cautious and distrustful of people. Thus, your first task is to gain the kitten's trust.
• If the kitten is older than 8 weeks but still not accustomed to humans, they may behave like a feral cat or a 'wild' cat. Unfortunately, once this behavior is reinforced, it becomes difficult to break, and it is likely the kitten will not adapt to the human world.

Be patient while training the kitten to adapt. You cannot force them to do anything, and therefore, your best tool is patience. Reward the kitten when it gets close to you so it begins associating you with pleasant experiences.

• Examples include sitting on the floor while watching TV and holding a treat in your hand or placing it in a bag. This posture is less intimidating, so the kitten will be curious and approach you. Place the treat on the floor to reward the kitten's bravery, helping it associate humans with tasty food, and encouraging the kitten to approach you more.

Apply positive behaviors. Scratching the kitten’s face or shouting loudly are not suitable methods for training a kitten. Positive behavior is fostered through rewarding actions you want the kitten to repeat, thus replacing undesirable behavior. This is the simplest way to change a kitten’s behavior.

• If the kitten does something you dislike, ignore them. Typically, behaviors like whining at the door or scratching something aggressively are attention-seeking actions. If these actions no longer work, the kitten will eventually stop.
• Rewards can include treats. Most kittens have a favorite 'treat'. If they don’t like a particular food, try different types to see which one excites them.

Do not punish the kitten. Punishing a kitten may improve its behavior temporarily, but it will make them more cunning. For example, if a kitten urinates on a rug in the waiting room, punishing or scaring them will cause them to associate the punishment with you rather than the action of urinating on the rug. As a result, the kitten will be careful not to urinate in front of you in the future.

• This could backfire, as the kitten is more likely to find a hidden spot to urinate or, alternatively, avoid using the litter box when you are near because they become cautious around their owner.

Imitate the sound of a mother cat when you disapprove of the kitten’s behavior. When a mother cat punishes her kittens, they make a sound by pressing their throat, which can be mimicked. This method is effective and similar to the training process where the kitten is trying to perform familiar basic behaviors.

• You can do this by clicking your tongue against the roof of your mouth when the kitten is scratching objects or displaying undesirable behavior inside the house.

Use catnip during training. This method can be incredibly effective, and rewarding the kitten with a treat will yield better results than yelling. It can be a great way to attract the kitten to specific areas for scratching, toys you want them to play with, or encouraging them to sleep in designated spots. Placing a little catnip in a pouch can entertain the kitten for hours.

• Not all kittens are attracted to catnip, which can make training a bit more challenging. If the kitten seems uninterested, you might try using something else it likes, such as a food reward, to draw them to a particular object.

Create more space for the kitten. If the kitten frequently climbs onto the kitchen counter to observe the surroundings or approaches restricted areas, threatening them won’t be effective. It will only make the kitten more fearful of you. Instead, place a mat or bench nearby, or scatter catnip or rewards on it, so the kitten can jump up and survey the area from above.

• Clearly indicate that this area is designated for the kitten. If the kitten jumps onto the counter again, you should move it to the bench.

Play with the kitten regularly. To prevent undesirable behavior, incorporate practice sessions into their feeding routine. Before each meal, stimulate their hunting instincts by playing with string, ribbons, laser pens, or other toys they enjoy. This is an essential part of a cat's daily routine. Without it, they might become irritable or overly excited.

• Bring out the toy and ask the kitten to jump around it, then allow the kitten to catch the toy before feeding. Typically, after eating, kittens will groom themselves and take a nap. Play for at least 20 minutes a day, or until the kitten stops.

Imagine a scenario where you simply leave food out and the kitten can help itself. There are two main philosophies when it comes to feeding cats, and much of it depends on the kitten's eating habits. Generally, you can either feed continuously or offer food at specific times, but not both. Some kittens can eat from the food left out and will stop eating once they are full. This is likely the easiest approach for you, as long as the kitten can manage its food intake appropriately.

• When food is always available, this method is called free-feeding. It mimics how cats eat in the wild, eating small meals throughout the day. Cats that are not bored and stay active often have better self-control over their calorie intake and can thrive on free-feeding.

Feed the kitten regularly if they tend to overeat. Problems can arise if the kitten gets bored or overexcited, and in such cases, eating may become a hobby, leading to a loss of control over their calorie intake.

• Typically, these kittens will cry for food if it’s not available. Therefore, you need to establish a regular feeding schedule. Kittens should be fed four times a day until they are 12 weeks old, then three times a day until they reach six months. After this age, adult cats can eat twice a day, in the morning and evening. Stick to a fixed time for feeding each day.

Feed the kitten appropriate food. Kittens often double or triple their weight during the first few weeks of development, meaning they need a diet that is higher in calories and fat compared to adult cats. Commercial pet food is usually categorized by the cat's age, so you should feed kittens food formulated specifically for them.

• Do not feed kittens adult or senior cat food, and vice versa. The calorie content in different types of food varies greatly and can lead to malnutrition if kittens eat adult food, or obesity if adult cats eat kitten food.

Always provide fresh water for the kitten. Kittens will begin to whine if they lack something they need, and this behavior can turn into a long-lasting habit that can be quite bothersome. If you don’t want to retrain your kitten later, it’s important to get this right from the start. If a kitten knows its water bowl will be filled before it runs out, it will stop reminding you to change the water. Be proactive and refill it before the kitten even asks for it.

Do not feed the kitten from the table. Aside from the fact that kittens should not eat many human foods, such as garlic, onions, chocolate, grapes, or raisins, which are toxic to them, feeding them from the table will encourage them to jump up every time you’re eating. Only feed kittens food specifically made for them, and give it to them at appropriate times.

• Never give kittens milk. Although there’s a common misconception that cats should drink milk, it is something they cannot digest, and it leads to frequent bathroom trips. This means you'll be cleaning out the litter box more often the following day.
• Kittens should only be given tuna occasionally, once or twice a week. While many cats love canned tuna, it lacks essential nutrients needed for their health, and an increasing number of cats become addicted to tuna, ignoring other foods that are more nutritionally balanced. This is similar to how people might only want to eat French fries all the time.

Prepare a simple litter box. A basic design is usually the most cat-friendly. A simple litter box with clean litter creates an inviting space for your cat to do their business. If you buy a complex automatic litter box, your cat may find it intimidating and threatening.

• Likewise, a covered litter box prevents dirt and waste from spilling out, but it can make it harder for your cat to access the box. If you're struggling to convince your cat to use the box, try a simpler, uncovered version.
• If you don't want to scoop poop, don't adopt a cat. While there are many tools and products to make cleaning easier, the reality is you will need to clean after your cat to ensure they stay comfortable and happy.

Place the kitten in the litter box. To teach your kitten to use the litter box, simply place them inside. Cats naturally feel the urge to relieve themselves in the litter box, so it’s usually easy to guide them there for the first time.

• Some trainers recommend sitting with your kitten and encouraging them to dig in the litter a few times to familiarize them with the texture and environment. This action triggers the kitten’s instinct to dig and cover their waste.
• If your kitten seems uncomfortable when you hold their paws and guide them to dig, stop using this method.

Place the litter box in a quiet spot, preferably in a corner. This is an ideal location because kittens often feel vulnerable when using the litter box. With walls on both sides, your kitten can focus on any approaching 'predators' from the front.

• Also, avoid placing the litter box near noisy appliances or machines that make sudden movements. If the equipment starts while your kitten is using the box, they may get frightened and stop using it altogether.

Clean the litter box regularly. Cats, even kittens, want to use a clean litter box, and they should not have trouble accessing it. The main reason cats start eliminating outside the box is that they feel the box is too dirty or difficult to reach. This can happen if the box is hard to access, the litter is changed too often, or the box is too filthy.

• The litter box needs to be cleaned daily. Use a scoop to remove waste and clumps, and change the litter frequently to keep the box clean. If you notice an unpleasant odor, your kitten probably notices it too. Keep that in mind.

Use a consistent type of litter. Changing the litter frequently can confuse your cat. Ideally, you should use natural pine-based litter to provide the best environment.

• Avoid using scented litter. While the scent may be pleasant to us, it can be overwhelming for kittens due to their sensitive noses, potentially preventing them from using the box.
• Ensure there's enough litter in the box to allow your cat to dig comfortably. Cats don’t want to dig around their own urine more than they need to.

Do not put anything in the litter box except litter. Avoid tempting your cat to use the box by placing toys, treats, or food in the litter. Cats don't want to eat or drink in the same place they relieve themselves, and putting food in the litter box will only confuse them about where they should go.

Start clicker training while your cat is young. This is the ideal time to begin using a clicker. The clicker makes a sound similar to typing, which you use to mark the exact moment of the behavior you want your kitten to repeat. It's an excellent method for teaching tricks or even useful behaviors like approaching you when called.

Pair the clicker with a reward. Start by clicking the clicker, then immediately rewarding your kitten. When they hear the click followed by a treat, they will associate the sound with the reward. Once your kitten starts approaching you in anticipation of a reward, click the clicker and give them a treat. Repeat this process until they learn to connect the sound with the reward.

• Food rewards are ideal, but some cats may not be interested in food. However, every cat has at least one favorite treat, so just find out what it is.
• Experiment with different types of treats, including ham, tuna, chicken, fish, beef, and shrimp. You'll quickly discover your kitten’s favorite treat, as they will eagerly meow for more when it disappears in seconds.

Train your kitten when their stomach is not full, as a full belly can dampen their enthusiasm for food rewards. To begin, reward your kitten, and as soon as they grab the treat, immediately click the clicker. Repeat this 3 or 4 times, then give your kitten a break before the next training session. Repeat the process.

Mark the behavior you want with the clicker sound. Once your kitten associates the clicking sound with the reward, you can adjust your timing to make the reward less frequent, offering it only when your kitten demonstrates the desired behavior.

Connect the clicker sound that signals good behavior with a reward once the behavior is completed. You can even associate the behavior with a word like "Sit" to finish the training process.

Be persistent with training your kitten to come when called, even though it may take time and effort. Teaching your kitten to come when called is incredibly valuable. This step can be especially helpful if your kitten ever gets lost.

• In many cases, lost kittens are scared and will instinctively hide as a defense mechanism. However, if your kitten is trained to come on command, it can override this natural tendency to stay hidden in frightening situations.

Train in short, frequent sessions. When training your kitten, it’s essential to follow the principle of short but frequent sessions. Cats have shorter attention spans compared to dogs, and their focus starts to wander after about 5 minutes or more. A good schedule would involve training sessions lasting three to five minutes each day or, alternatively, scheduling short, frequent sessions when your kitten is nearby and in a playful mood.

Choose a unique cue word to call your kitten. When your kitten comes to you, provide the cue word you’ve chosen. Pick a word that your kitten doesn’t hear in other situations, as an uncommon or even self-created word works best.

• It’s best NOT to use your kitten’s name, as it will be used in other contexts. This can confuse your kitten, because if they don’t react when you say, ‘Kitty is a beautiful cat,’ it can dilute the effect of the cue word.

Use the clicker training method to teach your kitten to come on command. Say the cue word and, when your kitten looks at you, quickly click the clicker to mark the desired behavior. Then, reward them immediately. By repeating this regularly across multiple training sessions, your kitten will learn to associate the cue word with the desired behavior.

• You can use this principle to train your kitten to perform any desired behavior, such as jumping off the desk or shaking a paw.

Provide a designated space for your kitten to scratch. If you're concerned about your kitten scratching up clothes or furniture, you need to create an alternative space for them to scratch. Typically, a cat scratching post with catnip or cardboard pads with catnip underneath work well as areas for kittens who enjoy scratching.

• Cats need to keep their claws sharp and healthy, which is why they scratch surfaces. Punishing them for scratching is futile because they’re not doing it maliciously; they simply need to scratch as part of their nature.

Reward your cat when it scratches in the right place. If you see your cat scratching in the designated area, give them a small treat as a reward to encourage them to repeat the behavior in the future.

Hold a spray bottle in your hand. A good way to prevent your cat from scratching valuable items is to keep a spray bottle with you and gently spray them whenever they engage in scratching. This will quickly drive them away from the area. After spraying your cat, hide the bottle away. If the cat associates the spray bottle with you, it might become fearful.

Apply peppermint oil to areas you don't want your kitten to scratch. Apply a small amount of essential oil, usually peppermint oil, to areas you want your kitten to avoid and scratch. This is an effective way to keep your kitten away from any objects you don’t want them to touch.

• Scents act as natural deterrents for cats. They simply don’t like the smell, but it doesn’t harm them—it just makes the area unpleasant.
• Be cautious when applying essential oils to surfaces that could be damaged. Always apply a small amount in a hidden spot to test it before using it on visible surfaces.