Don’t use punishment

Let’s get one thing straight right from the start: do not punish your cat! Punishment, such as spraying with water, making unpleasant noises, throwing objects, etc., will not make your cat do what you want. Instead, it’ll lead to your cat ignoring you or being stressed, with potential aggressive reactions and behavior problems. Also, your bond would suffer tremendously as you scare your kitty and lose her trust. Positive reinforcement is the best answer to the question of how to make your cat listen to you.

What is positive reinforcement?

In a nutshell, it involves giving your cat something she likes when she displays desired behavior. The reward will increase the likelihood she’ll show the behavior again.¹

It works with your cat’s natural behavior learning patterns. Once your cat learns a behavior, such as opening a door, she’ll remember and try it repeatedly. However, it’s very hard for cats to unlearn behavior.² So you absolutely must avoid inadvertently reinforcing negative behavior.

The golden rule of timing

Be quick with rewarding wanted behavior. Definitely follow up within 3 seconds, or don’t at all. If you wait too long your cat won’t be able to connect her action with the reward. So, you need to promptly decide whether the action you’ve observed is moving in the right direction or not. Obviously, for that, you’ll need to know what this behavior should look like. Now, let’s dive into how to reward your cat effectively, whether with treats or without.

How to reward your cat

1. Define what good behavior you want to encourage

If you don’t necessarily want to teach your cat a cool trick, you probably want her to do something different, i.e., exhibit more or less of a certain behavior. You’ll need to provide her with alternatives. For example, if you don’t want your cat on the kitchen counter, you should offer a replacement that provides her with the same benefits: A dedicated shelf or chair that features elevated height, stability, or a specific view (over the kitchen or outside the window). You’ll want to talk in your “baby voice” when your cat uses this replacement, or pet her, and ignore her if she uses the counter. She will soon start to seek out your attention from the shelf or chair.

2. Choose the right reward

Many trainers emphasize the effectiveness of treats as a primary training reward, and they are often the go-to choice. However, there are occasions when you may prefer not to use them for various reasons. Let’s explore which reward option might be the best fit for your cat.

• Treats
  • Great when your cat is motivated by food. To find out if that’s the case, you can just grab a treat, show it to her, and then walk a few steps, and see if she’s following you. If she’s walking to you or running on your side, maybe even meowing, treats are a great choice to reward her (don’t forget to give her that treat).
  • Avoid if she’s not food motivated, obese, or too greedy / food aggressive. (This can happen when cats grow up without getting enough food or had to fight for it. Read our post about the right amount of food for cats at any age if you want to know more about it.) You don’t want her to grab your hands or try to snatch anything out of them. Also, if you are scared because your little tiger is too greedy, try one of the other reward options.
• Attention & voice
  • A joyful “good kitty” or use of “baby voice” can be a reward in itself. Cats often respond positively to praise and a gentle tone.³
  • Probably not the most efficient if your cat is deaf.
• Petting
  • Goes without saying, most cats love to be pet.
  • Some cats don’t like to get much physical stimulation, especially if you are trying to be quick about it (remember the 3-second rule). If your cat flinches, or tucks her head into her shoulders when you try to quickly pet her, this reward is not for her.
• Grooming
  • Some cats love a good brushing, and if yours does too, it can be a fantastic reward.
  • Be careful! Since you need to be quick you’re in danger of poking your kitty with the brush.
• Play
  • For cats who aren’t as food-motivated or are on a restricted diet, a short play session with their favorite toy can be a great reward.⁴
  • Playing can be kind of distracting, since usually cats are in “training mode” instead of “play mode” while you teach them. Also, most seniors play less and might not continuously want to play in a training session.
• Catnip
  • Lots of cats love the smell and taste of this natural treat.
  • It makes quite a mess, and not every cat reacts to it. It’s also hard to use it for continuous training. We suggest this as a rare treat because it’s very distracting. Also, catnip tends to have a calming effect when eaten, and you do want your kitty’s attention.

3. Implement the reward system

• Start in a quiet environment to minimize distractions.
• When she exhibits the desired behavior, immediately reward her with your chosen method.
• Be consistent. If multiple people live in your home, ensure everyone knows the desired behavior and how to reward it.
• To keep your cat engaged and identify her favorite rewards, you can occasionally switch up the rewards. Once you find the perfect one, stick to it.
• Adjust based on her health and age. For example, an older cat might prefer more gentle grooming to play.

Now it’s your turn to try it out

With a clear understanding of how to reward your cat with or without treats and the right techniques at your fingertips, it’s time to put your newfound skills into action. You’ll enjoy rewarding your cat as it is a simple and effective tool for creating a positive environment where both you and your cat can thrive. Remember, patience and consistency are the keys to success. Celebrate those small victories, and cherish the stronger bond you’re building with your beloved feline companion.

The post How to reward your cat with and without treats appeared first on The Cat Edition.

Why is your cat scratching furniture?

Before you dive into training, it’s crucial to get inside your cat’s head and comprehend why she has this irresistible urge to scratch. It’s hard to imagine but it’s not just fluff in there. To train your cat to not scratch on your furniture, your need to understand her first. Cats scratch for various reasons:

• Stretching those kitty muscles: One of their ways of limbering up!
• Keeping claws in check: Scratching helps shed the outer sheath, allowing claws to grow healthily.
• Sending secret messages: Cats use scent glands between their toes to communicate, and scratching helps spread these pheromones – some say it’s a sign of kitty happiness!
• Claiming territory: By leaving their scent behind, cats make their space feel like home, creating a cozy haven for themselves.

Even if the temptation is strong to just spray your cat with water or tell her No – you don’t want to take all those benefits away from your little friend. And you don’t have to, because there’s a solution called redirecting! Before we jump into the nitty gritty, let’s look at a few things you’ll need to get in order to train your cat.

It’s time to train your cat to not scratch (the wrong stuff). Gather your cat training arsenal.

To embark on this training journey, assemble some essential tools in your cat-training toolkit. These include:

• Scratching posts
• Scratching mats/pads
• Furniture covers
• Catnip
• Treats

These supplies will not only deter your cat from scratching your furniture but also provide her with a healthier outlet for their natural instincts.

3: Cat-proofing your scratched furniture

• Sofa Arm or wall attack: If your sofa’s arms, walls, or doors are taking a beating, consider these solutions:
  • Mount vertical scratch protectors on the wall where it’s been happening.
  • Attach hanging scratchers to the sofa’s arms.
  • Position a sturdy, tall scratching post right next to the sofa as an easy alternative.
    • Ideal Scratching Posts: Most cats prefer vertical scratching posts longer than three feet. Opt for materials like sisal or loop-free carpet to allow your cat to rake through it without getting caught in the fabric.
• Carpet or Lower Sofa Scratching: When these areas become targets, try:
  • Using floor mats or cardboard cat scratcher pads.
  • Resorting to throw blankets if the previous option doesn’t work.
  • Avoiding plastic, as it can encourage pica behavior, is not durable, and is not cozy.

Training techniques to stop your cat from scratching

Now that you got alternatives in place, it’s finally time to start training your furball!

• First things first: Be patient. Rome wasn’t built in a day and it might take you and your cat a little to get vibing.
• Focus on redirection rather than punishment. Cats don’t comprehend punishment, including loud noises; it merely scares them and can worsen their stress levels and behavior.
• Make the new scratching areas enticing by using catnip or valerian spray. You can also mark them with your own scent (by rubbing a worn piece of clothing against it), making them more interesting to your feline friend.
• Engage your cat in play on the new scratching surfaces, allowing her to become familiar with these areas.
• Don’t forget the positive reinforcement: give your cat treats or reward her with attention, pets, and sweet talk when she uses the new scratching places to encourage the desired behavior.

With love, understanding, and these practical steps tp train your cat to not scratch, you can enjoy a happy and scratch-free environment with your feline friend.

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Laying the foundation for successful cat training

Realistic expectations

Training your cat starts with the mindset that you’re helping your cat to become content and happy. Remember to build up training gradually, rewarding your cat for remaining relaxed, and being consistent with the house rules you set early on. This way you’ll create a solid foundation for successful training.

Understanding your cat’s unique traits

Your cat’s age and breed can play a significant role in its responsiveness to training. If your feline friend has experienced food scarcity in the past, you may need to exercise extra patience during training sessions, as she might be eager to snatch treats from your hands. Additionally, if your cat is older and unaccustomed to training, she may not readily respond to your requests for attention (same for young kittens). Remember, patience and understanding are key when working with your cat’s unique characteristics and background.

Keep it short

Timing is everything when it comes to training your cat. Cats have short attention spans, so keep your training sessions brief – around 5 to 10 minutes per session. You can hold multiple sessions throughout the day, but avoid overwhelming your cat with too much information at once.

Breakt tricks into small steps

Breaking tricks into small, manageable steps will make it easier for your cat to learn. For example, if you want to teach your cat to high-five, start by rewarding them for lifting its paw. Gradually progress to having them touch your hand, and then move on to the actual high-five motion.

Celebrate success

Be sure to reward them immediately and consistently after they successfully complete a task. Cats may not respond as easily to treats as dogs do, but warmth, attention, or stroking can be used as powerful motivators.

Teaching essential life skills

Training your cat isn’t just about teaching them cool tricks; it’s about helping it become well-adjusted and adaptable to various situations. Start by focusing on essential life skills, such as feeling comfortable in a cat carrier, getting used to car journeys, tolerating grooming, and receiving basic health examinations and treatments. This kind of training will help your cat cope better with visits to the vet.

Clicker training: A fun and effective training method

Clicker training can be an incredibly effective way to teach your cat desired behaviors. A clicker is a small device that clicks when pressed. Before starting, ensure your cat understands the connection between the click and the reward. Simply feed it one treat at a time and press the clicker. Your cat will learn to associate the click with something good. Now incorporate the small steps we discussed earlier.

By clicking when your cat performs the desired behavior and immediately offering a treat, your cat will learn to expect a reward for the behavior. Instead of using a physical clicker, you can create a clicking sound with your mouth or call your cat by its name to achieve the same effect. By doing so, your cat will associate the sound or its name with receiving a treat, ultimately learning to come to you when called.

Once your cat becomes accustomed to the clicking sound or its name being associated with rewards, you’ll find it much easier to gain its attention during training sessions and other activities. Speaking of keeping your cat engaged, let’s move on to the importance of toys, puzzles, and exploration in maintaining a stimulating environment for your feline friend.

Keeping your cat engaged: Toys, puzzles, and exploration

A stimulating environment is essential for keeping your cat happy and engaged. There are tons of options for you to choose from:

• Interactive toys: Offer toys that mimic real prey and engage your cat’s hunting instincts.
• Self-play toys: Provide toys your cat can enjoy on its own to prevent boredom.
• Toy rotation: Rotate toys regularly to maintain novelty and prevent boredom.
• Cardboxes and paper bags: Providing your cat with simple exploration opportunities can satisfy its curiosity and need for hiding spaces.
• Food puzzles: Encourage your cat to work for its food with puzzle feeders or by scattering food for them to find.

Conclusion

Training your cat can be an enjoyable and rewarding way to bond with your pet while teaching them new behaviors and essential life skills. By following these tips and techniques, you’ll be well on your way to having a well-behaved, happy, and well-adjusted feline friend. So, grab some treats and start training today!

If you enjoyed and benefited from this guide, don’t forget to share the love with your friends – they’ll appreciate the helpful tips too!

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