Training My Cat: Yes, You Can Teach a Cat Tricks!
When most people think of animals that can be trained to do tricks, they immediately think of dogs. Dogs are well-known for learning how to fetch, sit, roll over, and follow commands.
But I firmly believe that cats are just as capable of learning all those same tricks—and maybe even more! It’s clear to me that cats are incredibly smart; their motivation to do the trick just has to be a little higher.
I have a ragdoll cat, and from the moment I brought her home, I could tell she wasn’t your average pet. She had this inquisitive gaze, always observing her surroundings, and there was a certain intensity to her that told me she was not only intelligent but also highly aware of what was going on around her.
I knew right away that I could train her to do tricks, just like a dog. The challenge would be figuring out how to motivate her enough to actually want to perform them.
Why Cats Can Learn Tricks
Cats, like dogs, are natural problem solvers. Anyone who’s seen a cat figure out how to open a door or retrieve a toy from under the couch knows this. They observe, calculate, and execute with a precision that’s impressive.
This kind of intelligence makes them perfect candidates for training. The tricky part is that they don’t respond to the same kind of praise or motivation as dogs do.
With dogs, you can usually rely on their desire to please. They thrive on human attention and affection, and they’re often motivated by the sheer joy of making you happy.
Cats? Well, they couldn’t care less about pleasing us most of the time. Instead, they’re more motivated by tangible rewards—usually food or treats—and sometimes by play.
My Training Journey with My Cat
When I decided to start training my cat, I knew I’d have to find something she valued enough to work for. Treats were the obvious choice. My cat loves her treats, so I stocked up on her favorites, knowing that they’d play a big role in the process.
The first trick I attempted was the most straightforward one: fetch. Now, I know what you’re thinking—fetch is a dog trick! But I had seen videos of cats fetching and was convinced it was doable.
Plus, I had already noticed that my cat loved to chase her toys, especially little balls. The first step was to harness that natural chasing instinct and get her to bring the toy back to me.
Here’s how I started:
- Find the right toy: I tried a few different toys to see what caught her interest. Balls with bells inside were a hit, as were small plush mice. It’s important to find something your cat is already naturally inclined to chase.
- Play with the toy yourself first: I would throw the ball just a short distance, and as soon as she ran after it, I’d call her back. At first, she didn’t bring it back, but she would bat it around and stay engaged with it.
- Reinforce returning with treats: After a few tries, I started rewarding her every time she made an effort to move toward me with the toy, even if she didn’t bring it all the way back. Slowly, she began to associate coming to me with the treat.
After about a week of short, playful sessions, she finally began bringing the toy back to me! I couldn’t believe it—it was a breakthrough. She wasn’t consistent every time, but it was clear that she had learned the trick.
Rolling Over: The Next Challenge
Encouraged by the fetch success, I decided to tackle a more difficult trick: rolling over. This one is a classic dog trick, but I was determined that my cat could learn it too.
The key with rolling over was breaking it down into small steps:
- Start with the “down” position: Cats don’t naturally “sit” or “lie down” on command like dogs, so I had to get creative. I would hold a treat near the ground to lure her into a lying position.
- Introduce the roll: Once she was lying down, I’d move the treat in a way that made her turn her head and eventually roll onto her side. It took patience, but she began to follow the treat and would end up rolling over.
- Reinforce every small movement: I made sure to reward her for even the smallest movements toward rolling over, gradually building up to a full roll.
Rolling over was definitely a more challenging trick, and it took a lot longer than fetch, but after about three weeks of consistent practice, she finally got it. And, of course, the treats were her main motivator.
The Motivation Factor: What Makes Cats Tick
One of the biggest things I’ve learned from this training process is that motivation is everything when it comes to cats. Unlike dogs, who seem to have an endless desire to please their owners, cats need a bit more persuasion.
Treats were my cat’s primary motivator, but I also found that playtime could be just as effective in keeping her engaged.
Another crucial aspect is keeping sessions short. Cats don’t have the same attention span as dogs when it comes to training, so I had to keep our sessions to just a few minutes at a time. If she started losing interest, I’d end the session and pick it up again later.
The Importance of Patience
Training a cat requires a lot of patience, and that was probably the biggest lesson for me. There were days when I felt like we weren’t making any progress, but then, out of nowhere, she’d do the trick perfectly.
Cats are independent and do things on their own terms, so it’s important not to get frustrated if they don’t learn as quickly as you’d like. Trust me, it’s worth the effort in the end.
Training a cat might seem like an impossible task, but I’m living proof that it’s entirely possible!
From teaching my cat to fetch to getting her to roll over, I’ve learned that with the right motivation, consistency, and patience, you can teach a cat just about anything a dog can do.
Sure, it takes a little more work, and you have to figure out what drives your cat to want to learn, but once you crack that code, the possibilities are endless.
So if you’re thinking about training your cat, go for it! Start small, be patient, and most importantly, have fun with the process.
After all, cats are smart, and with the right approach, they’ll surprise you with what they can do.
What do these 4 highly intelligent Cat experts say about cat training?
- Jackson Galaxy: Known as “The Cat Daddy,” Jackson Galaxy is a cat behaviorist and host of the television show “My Cat From Hell.”
- Dr. Nicholas Dodman: A veterinary behaviorist and professor, Dr. Dodman has made significant contributions to the understanding of animal behavior, including cats.
- Dr. Susan Little: An expert in feline medicine, Dr. Little is a well-known feline veterinarian and the co-author of “The Cat: Clinical Medicine and Management.”
- Dr. Karen Becker:A proactive and integrative wellness veterinarian, Dr. Becker often shares her expertise on feline health through various platforms, including books, articles, and videos.
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