How to Train Discipline for Your Cat

Recognizing the Complexity. Training a cat can either be easy or difficult. Dogs are generally more eager to please their owners, making them easier to train compared to cats. However, cats can still be trained if you understand how they think and interact with humans. Training a cat requires a great deal of patience, and the most challenging part is motivating the cat to comply.

Find the Motivating Factor for Your Cat. Every cat has something that motivates it to listen to you. This key element is often the treat your cat loves. For some cats, it could be a piece of tuna, while for others, it might be cooked chicken.

• No matter what treat you use, hold it in your hand and reward your cat immediately when it follows your command.
• Never punish your cat if it doesn’t listen. Cats will get upset and may stop obeying you altogether.

Show Love to Your Cat. The first step in training your cat is getting it to listen to you. This won't happen unless you establish a warm, loving relationship with your cat. Without this, the situation could become very stressful. Building a good bond with your cat from the start is crucial. This will ensure that your cat respects you, wants to please you, and listens to your commands.

• If you’ve just adopted a cat, give it plenty of attention. Spend time cuddling if the cat allows. If not, try talking to it, petting it as much as possible, and occasionally giving it treats. This may take anywhere from a few days to several weeks, depending on how long it takes the cat to adjust to you and its new environment.

Spend Time Playing with Kittens. While it’s important to discipline a kitten when it misbehaves, you should also take time to learn about its personality. There may be specific factors that influence how a kitten responds to your training. Kittens are often quick to get angry, curious, and inexperienced. It may take longer for a kitten to understand right from wrong, so be patient as the kitten learns.

• On the other hand, raising a kitten can be an advantage. If you're the only owner the kitten has ever had, you can have a greater influence on its behavior.

Dealing with Older Cats. If you’ve adopted an adult cat, or if your long-time pet needs discipline, remember that it has already developed its own personality. Your cat may be accustomed to certain forms of discipline, and it may take more effort to guide it in understanding right from wrong.

• However, adult cats can be more relaxed, quick to understand, and less likely to resist.

Consider Your Cat’s Past Experiences. Before starting training, think about your cat’s life before you adopted it. If your cat came from a breeding center where it was treated well, cared for, and fed properly, it’s less likely to exhibit behaviors rooted in past trauma. However, if your cat comes from a violent background or has been repeatedly mistreated, you may need to put in more effort.

• Remember, cats that have been adopted or abused may be fearful and distrustful of you, as well as the new environment, depending on their past experiences with previous owners.

Pay attention to your cat's personality. A cat's personality can be just as diverse and intricate as its owner's. Ask yourself a few questions to better understand your cat's nature. What breed of cat do you have? Is your cat shy, easy to please, lazy, or affectionate? Your cat's unique personality can guide your responses in specific situations.

• Shy cats will need to be approached gently when being disciplined. You must earn their trust before you can begin training them.
• A more aggressive cat may require assessment by an animal behavior specialist to avoid injury while attempting to discipline.

Provide essential supplies for your cat. To keep your cat from misbehaving, provide plenty of items that allow them to engage in natural behaviors. Cats love to run, bite, scratch, and explore, so make sure to supply them with friendly toys to meet these needs. This will prevent many disciplinary issues, as your cat will be satisfied. There are many ways to cater to your cat's basic instincts.

• Offer a scratching post for your cat. Buy one or more posts and place them around the house so your cat can scratch. This will keep your cat from scratching your furniture, walls, or other household items.
• Purchase chew toys for your cat. Chew toys, small balls, and stuffed mice will help your cat engage in hunting behavior without biting or hurting you. They also prevent your cat from chewing on other items in the house.
• Create a designated space or a playhouse where your cat can entertain itself all day. Cats love to jump, climb, and explore, so set up a climbing system or create a cat-friendly area in your home where your cat can have fun without damaging your belongings.

Reward good behavior. It's important to let your cat know when they've done something right. This helps them understand that the behavior is worth repeating. Good behaviors might include using the litter box correctly, eating and drinking properly, scratching the post instead of your furniture, and playing with toys rather than your belongings. It's crucial to reward often so your cat knows they're doing the right thing. Treats are a popular way to reward your cat. However, be mindful not to overdo it, as too many treats can lead to weight gain.

• You can also reward your cat by giving them attention. Speaking softly to your cat, petting them, or letting them snuggle with you are ways to show your appreciation for their actions.

Play with your cat. A fun way to encourage good behavior and reward your cat is by playing together. Indoors, bring out an interactive toy that requires your involvement. For instance, many cats love to chase feathers or shiny objects tied to a stick. Spend time playing this type of game with your cat whenever possible. Your cat will get exercise and feel loved by their owner.

• Another option is using a laser pointer. Some cats enjoy playing with a laser pointer, and you can aim it around the room while sitting comfortably. Some people argue that this game isn't ideal because the cat never actually 'catches' the red dot, while others feel that the chase itself is what matters.

Use a distinct tone of voice. Sometimes, cats engage in behaviors that need to be corrected. Just as it's important to let your cat know when it's behaving well, you must also clearly show them what they should not do. Consistency is key to teaching them that certain actions are unacceptable. Use a firm tone when your cat misbehaves. There's no need to yell as this can cause fear. Instead, a stern voice will signal to your cat that they've done something wrong. Your cat will quickly recognize this cue.

• To make this more effective, call your cat by name, like "Mun, no!" in a firm tone. However, be aware that this method might make your cat associate their name with bad behavior.

Remove your cat from negative situations. There are two ways to remove your cat from undesirable behaviors. One option is isolation. For example, if your cat tries to steal your food, you can place them in a bedroom while you eat. While their cries may be heartbreaking, this teaches them that such behavior is not acceptable.

• Alternatively, you can physically remove your cat by scruffing the back of their neck. If they resist, scratch, or bite, grab their scruff and say "No!" If they continue misbehaving, pick them up and move them to another room while still saying no.
• Never lift your cat off the ground by the scruff, as this can cause them pain, and they might scratch you. Remember, scratches can lead to serious infections.

Use a water deterrent. If you want to stop your cat from doing something, you can discreetly spray a little water from a spray bottle at the right moment to discourage undesirable behavior. This could include jumping onto counters or chewing plants. Make sure to do this stealthily so your cat doesn't associate the spray with you. If you do it when your cat isn't looking or has their back turned, they'll just link the water to the bad behavior and not to you.

• Some people argue that deterrents don't work with cats, but they can still be effective depending on the cat.

Set traps. You can create traps to prevent your cat from engaging in undesirable actions. For example, if your cat likes to shred toilet paper, place an empty bottle on top of the roll. When your cat knocks it over, the loud noise will startle them and discourage them from continuing. If your cat jumps on kitchen counters, try placing double-sided tape or aluminum foil on the surface to make the experience uncomfortable for them. These visible deterrents will teach your cat better discipline.

• You can also use a cat repellent mat that delivers a mild electric shock when your cat steps on it.

Be consistent and firm. No matter the method you use to discipline your cat, consistency is crucial. Even if your cat is the sweetest thing on earth, you must show that you are serious about their bad behavior. Consistency means responding quickly every time they misbehave, so they learn to associate their actions with the consequences. If you wait too long to correct them, they won’t understand why they're being punished and may become fearful of you.

• Avoid yelling or being overly aggressive. Your tone will impact your cat, even if they don’t fully understand your words.
• Don’t provoke your cat in any way. Let them rest or retreat without disturbance. Chasing them will only lead to unwanted confrontation.
• Never hit your cat or throw objects at them. This will make them angry and afraid of you, ruining your relationship with them.
• If your cat displays aggressive behavior, consult an animal behavior expert or veterinarian for guidance.
• Never pick up an aggressive cat, as it may bite you. A cat bite can lead to a serious infection, so seek medical attention immediately if bitten.
• Don’t be too harsh with your cat, or you risk being seen as an animal abuser.