Tricks You Can Teach Your Cat

Although some cats will respond to positive reinforcement, most cats generally do better if they are working for food rewards. If you use soft moist cat food or dry food as a treat, you will lessen the chance of disturbing a properly balanced diet. If your cat has performed a certain task you have asked of them, make sure you not only reward them with a food treat but with verbal praise as well.

You will have more success if you work with one command at a time. As with any kind of training you have to be consistent. Let your cat work at their own speed. When you see even the slightest glimmer that your cat understands the behavior you are trying to teach, reward them enthusiastically. Here are a few you may want to try.

Come

Try teaching this one at mealtime. Use your cat’s name followed by the command “come.” If necessary, tap on their food bowl to get their attention. When they come, praise them lavishly and then give them the food. Eventually, your cat will associate the food with the command and then you will be on your way to owning a trained cat.

Shake Hands

Cats will naturally try to use their paws, so this is not a hard command to teach. With your cat sitting in front of you, touch their paw and say “shake.” As soon as they react and lift their paw, shake it and give them verbal approval along with a treat. Remember to be consistent here and repeat the command the same way each time.

Sit-up

Start with your cat on a footstool or other raised area, place your cat into sitting position. Hold a treat over your cat’s head and say “sit-up.” Do not give them a reward if they stand or grab at the treat, just repeat the command and wait for them to try and accomplish the behavior you have requested of them. When they do accomplish the desired behavior, give them the treat right away and repeat the command several times.

Wave

Swiping at a morsel of food is a natural behavior for a cat. Hold a treat in your hand. Place it in front of the cat’s nose but just out of reach of their front paws. Then, move it back and forth with your hands in a waving motion while telling your cat to “wave.” As your cat reaches out for the food, it will appear as if they are waving. Once their motion simulates the waving behavior, praise them and give them a treat.