Cats are known to often jump on counters, bite wires, and scratch household items that shouldn’t be scratched. Fortunately, it is possible to change a cat’s behavior by rewarding good behavior and punishing bad behavior. However, because you don’t want to ruin your relationship with your cat or hurt them, it’s important to know the right way to train your cat.
Here are the dos and don’ts for properly training your cat.
Don’t Compare Your Cat to a Dog
Cats are not like dogs, so you shouldn’t expect them to behave like dogs or interact with you like dogs. They are also smarter than many people think, and they have a good memory. Experts say cats have both long-term and short-term memory, so they can be trained. At the same time, it also means that they know what they can do repeatedly without being punished. Don’t be mistaken for malice; Your cat is simply following their ingrained behavioral traits.
Take Active Reinforcement Measures
Pets, like people, respond well to positive reinforcement, so cats remember what they like. Most cats like attention, food, toys, or all three. Choose a motivator that you can use to lure your cat into doing what you want them to do and give them a form of positive reinforcement.
If possible, reward your cat with this special item only when training it for this particular behavior. Keeping the ideal item for training will increase the value of the reward and make it more attractive to the cat. Try high-value treats like tuna, lickable wet food, or catnip toys.
Do Not Physically Punish Your Cat
Never punish a cat by hitting, scaring it, scratching its neck, or in other negative ways. The most important thing to remember is that corporal punishment should never be applied to cats. This includes spanking a cat, spanking a cat, kicking a cat, or intentionally injuring a cat. Trying to teach a cat a lesson through corporal punishment will not work, and it can lead to the cat being more destructive and even aggressive.
Provide an Alternative to Bad Behavior
Provide alternatives so that your cat has an outlet for the behavior they want to express. For example, if your cat is “surfing on the counter”, they may want to be in a high place. Provide a perch or windowsill bed that is roughly the same height as the counter, and then reward the cat when they use the perch. Or, if your cat jumps in front of the tap every time they turn on the tap, they may just want to drink some tap water, so consider getting a drinker.
Don’t Pinch the Cat’s Neck
Never choke a cat’s neck. This is no longer recommended as a restraint or method of transport for adult cats. Pinching the neck is painful, and when you inflict pain on a misbehaving cat, it only further exacerbates the problem. It is also believed that for some cats whose necks are choked, what appears to be a relaxed act is actually fear paralysis.
In addition to grabbing the nape of the cat’s neck, there is an alternative method, which is to cover the cat with a blanket and carry the cat into the blanket. This will keep you and your cat safe and will allow you to transport your cat without making them nervous or physically aching.
Please Use Pheromones
Certain pheromones can be sprayed on objects or spread to areas where you don’t want your cat to scratch. These pheromones, such as Feliway, signal to your cat that they have “marked” the area and do not need to be marked again. Cats often mark their territory by scratching. Providing them with scratching columns and placing snacks or other rewards around the scratching columns can also help avoid unnecessary scratching.
Don’t Make Too Much Noise
It is not recommended to use spray bottles or noisy cans to punish or scare cats. It is only when you are around that the cat will start to be wary of you, and when you are not around, the cat will continue this bad behavior. The only effective way you can teach your cat is to make the cat scared of you.
Please Use Double-Sided Tape or Aluminum Foil
Double-sided tape or aluminum foil can be applied to surfaces that you don’t want your cat to climb on or scratch on. Use museum putty to glue crumpled balls of aluminum foil to the edge of a cabinet or counter where cats will jump on, or apply rows of double-sided tape to areas where cats will scratch the couch interior.
Be sure to provide positive alternatives, though, such as a nearby cat scratching bollard or a piece of cat furniture to give your cat a place to climb and perch.
Do Not Come into Contact with Aggressive Cats
Don’t respond violently to cats that show aggression. This increases the cat’s aggression and reinforces the notion that the cat should be vigilant around you. Do not attempt to pick up a cat that is showing aggression, as this will often increase aggressive behavior.
The safest and most effective thing to do is to leave for a few minutes and then reward the cat if they are calm when you come back. Aggressive cats are usually scared or stressed about something, so it’s important to try to identify potential problems with cats showing aggression towards people or other animals.
Please Use the Exercise Activated Air Spray
Place these devices around areas where you don’t want your cat to enter. If the cat gets close, it sprays the air, which usually deters the cat from approaching. This is another option for kitchen counters or other areas where you don’t want your cat to jump or move around.
For a spray or other deterrent to be effective, it must be used every time the cat engages in this behavior. First, your cat will associate negative emotions with counters or objects, not you; Second, it’s always there even when you’re not present.
Don’t Shout
When training cats, it is useless to bark loudly. They may feel scared, stressed, or nervous, especially because their sense of hearing is sensitive. They may not understand why you are suddenly yelling loudly, so this method is not effective in changing their behavior.
Say Something
Use “ouch” or other words to scare the cat to stop its rough behavior. Then leave the cat immediately. Walk into the room and close the door. This will make them understand that rough behavior means a stop to play or hug.
Do Not Rub Your Cat’s Nose in an Unexpected Situation
Rubbing your cat’s nose against where they pee or defecate is definitely not a good idea. It scares them, they don’t understand why you’re doing it, and it doesn’t solve the underlying problem.
When cats go to the toilet outside the litter box, it can be the result of stress or anxiety, it could be because they are not feeling well and need veterinary treatment, or it can be because their litter box is too dirty or smelly. If you have more than one cat, make sure you have enough litter boxes for all cats and clean up the litter daily.
If you are unsure what is causing your cat’s reluctance to enter the litter box, consult your veterinarian.
Encourage and Foster Good Behavior
Believe it or not, the techniques used to train dogs, such as positive reinforcement clicker training, are also effective for cats! Rewarding positive behavior with treats, pets, or play will give your cat a good feeling, keep them exhibiting this behavior, and strengthen the positive bond between you and your cat.
Whenever possible, give your cat treats, praise, and attention if they are behaving well. If you find them lying next to something they’ve chewed before, reward them. If you find them scratching bars instead of the couch, reward them. Your cat will soon learn to distinguish between good and bad behavior.
You can also use this type of positive reinforcement to teach cats some skills, such as shaking hands, rolling over, or sitting up. Tricks aren’t just for dogs! Many felines enjoy learning and performing simple tricks with their favorite people, earning extra attention and rewards.
Eliminate Medical Problems
Sometimes, medical problems can cause your cat to exhibit disturbing behaviors. If your cat suddenly exhibits disturbing behavior, it is best to make an appointment with a veterinarian. These behaviors include:
- Previously friendly cats become aggressive or shy
- Improper urination at home
- Fights with other domestic pets that the cat has been with before
- Acting like something “isn’t right”
Your cat may not be malicious or difficult to get along with, but has an undiagnosed illness or ailment.