Are you a cat person and have recently become the parent of a kitten? Looking for some worthy insights about how to train your kitten? This article has it all about cat training. Contrary to popular belief, cats are trainable. Cat training is conceivable. Unlike dogs, cats are a little less instinctively driven to work in partnership with their human companions. They are often considered to be indifferent, but that is not true. With the right guidance and a little creativity on your part, your cat will learn some amazing tricks in no time.
Once you have bought your foster cat home, give it some time to get comfortable in the new ambience. Then you can slowly start with simple tricks on how to train a cat.
Why Is It Important To Train Your Cat?
Cats are not herding creatures. They don’t work well in cooperation and are still evolving to do so. However, training your cat has its share of perks. You’re stimulating his/her body and mind which helps them to remain healthy.
How To Train A Cat To Behave A Certain Way?
1. Behaviour Training
If you notice that certain mannerisms of your cat can have hazardous repercussions shortly, wait no further. In some cases, it becomes very important to discipline your cat, but first, try to trace the reason behind your cat’s mannerisms and then act accordingly. Certain behaviours like chewing your socks or clawing your furniture are the survival instincts of your cats, in such situations try to provide them with an alternative rather than trying to dismiss that behaviour.
2. Anger Management
Cats are often very subtle with their emotions but sometimes they may get fuzzy. Even when you’re playing with your cat it may get excited and start scratching you, in situations like these walking away is the best way to control your cat. It will learn about the consequences faced when trying to be reluctant.
Tricks To Train A Cat
1. Treats Always Come In Handy
This trick works with a lot of cats, as they need something that can motivate them. Motivation is the key to training and for most cats, food will fill that motivational void. Along with rewarding, the timing is also very important. Reward your cat immediately after she performs your desired trick, it will encourage her to do better and will expand her love for you.
2. Rewarding Them
Cats respond well to reward mechanisms. Motivate your cat by ending the training sessions on a rewarding note.
3. One Trick At A Time
Move to the next trick only when your cat has mastered the one before it.
4. Introduction Of A Sound
You can introduce a clicker in your training session. It can make up for the communication gap between you and your furry friend. Click it on when you want your cat to perform a certain trick or when you want to give it some credit on performing well.
5. Short Distances First
Start with making noises with the clicker, when your cat is within a certain radius and reward it as it comes to you.
7 Vital Cat Training Questions Answered
One of the biggest myths about cat training is: “cats can’t be trained”. Well, cats can be trained. Training a cat will help strengthen your bond with them.
1. Why Is Cat Training Not As Common As Dog Training?
Cats have a subtle behavioural response when compared to dogs. Your dog needs to be disciplined, as it creates a mess when excited. But, your cat won’t behave similarly, when it is over-excited or overwhelmed. Cats also don’t drool as much and don’t jump onto strangers, unlike dogs. Due to their low-key responses, cats aren’t trained as often.
But in some distinctive and exceptional cases training is required for cats. When they begin to scratch more and exhibit temperament issues, considering a vet or a trainer would be the best option.
2. Which Gender Is Easier To Train- Male Or Female?
Males or Toms are often friendlier than females. Female cats tend to be more reserved than male cats. It may be easier to train male cats but they tend to spray and mark their territory. You would have to go an extra mile with training the male cats on this. Female cats, on the other hand, are less likely to spray.
3. What Is The Difference Between Training A Grown-up Cat & A Kitten?
It can be quite overwhelming to train a kitten than a cat. Kittens require more of your attention and you have to constantly monitor them. Whereas grown-up cats are way calmer and won’t create a fuss.
4. Why Is It Easier To Train Two Cats Than One?
You probably know the formula “monkey see, monkey do”, don’t you? Well, that works with kittens too. Kittens learn good behaviours like using kitten litter boxes and avoiding nipping or scratching by looking at other kittens. If they are made to learn all these on their own, they might require some more time.
5. What Is Litter Training For Cats?
Many cats instinctively use the litter box without being taught. It is because of their natural tendency to expel bodily wastes in dirt and sand. Most cats learn to use a litter box from their mothers at a very young age. But sometimes, even a well-trained cat may seem to forget it and start relieving itself around the house.
6. How To Litter Train A Kitten?
Use a finger to scrape some litter aside until he learns by example. If your kitten has relieved itself in the box but hasn’t learnt to bury the litter, use your finger to scrape a little litter on top of his wastes. When showing your kitten how to dig and bury, it is important to use your finger.
7. How To Potty Train A Cat?
Cats are naturally tidy animals and as a result, litter training is a relatively simpler procedure.
Step-By-Step Guide To Cat Toilet Training
- Show them the boxes as soon as they arrive and let them settle into it by sniffing it.
- Set your cats into the boxes as soon as they have their meals, and also right after their naps.
- When it comes to how to train a kitten, kittens respond better to positive responses, reward them, rather than punishing them if you find kitten litter all over the place.
Key Takeaways
- Training is worth the effort. It’s easier for you to take care of your cat and to develop a special bond with them
- The simple trick that will come in handy, is to find a middle ground between satisfying your cat needs and meeting your expectations
- It may be a little toilsome in the beginning to train a cat. But if trained properly, your cat will not fail to amaze you
- The best tip before you train your cat is to get cordial and comfortable with them
- Cats choose their humans, So, the first and foremost step you should follow to train your cat is to become “their person”. Once that is done in no time your cat will act according to your will
Just remember the training is entirely based on your responses to their actions. Positive reflexes always work better with cats, they appreciate reward way better than feedback, proceed accordingly. Every cat has a different personality, your cat may not always respond to something other cats respond to.
