Cats are extremely independent creatures. In fact, the researchers found that although humans have treated them as pets for at least 9,000 years, domestic cats are only semi-domesticated. Training a cat can be difficult because you need to convince the cat that the activity is worth learning. With a little patience, however, you can train your cat to become a better pet in many ways.
Steps
Method 1 of 5: Training a Cat to Use the Litter Box
Step 1. Place the litter box in a quiet place
Cats prefer to do their business in a quiet place, without too much movement or loud noises around. But remember that they don't like having the litter box too far from the places they frequent most often.
- Make sure the cat has physical access to its litter box. If you are elderly or have trouble jumping and climbing, don't put the litter box on a high shelf or other hard-to-reach area.
- Do not place the litter in areas that are too noisy and passageways. For example, avoid placing it next to the washing machine or in a hallway where people often pass by. Cats love peace and privacy, but they also appreciate convenience.
- Do not place the litter box near the food and water bowls. This could lead him not to use it.
Step 2. Place the cat in the litter box immediately after meals
Also do this when he has just woken up and after he has played, the times when he is most likely to have to evacuate. This can help him remember to use the litter box whenever he needs to go to the toilet.
Step 3. Keep the litter box clean
The cat will not use the dirty litter box and may decide to go to the house.
- Wear rubber gloves when handling cat feces to reduce the risk of contracting toxoplasmosis.
- Remove solid waste and clumps of urine soaked material every day. Wash your hands thoroughly after touching a dirty litter box, even if you are wearing gloves.
- Do a thorough clean once a week. You will need to throw away the old litter, wash the litter box with a mild detergent, rinse the soap thoroughly, dry the litter completely and pour in a new layer of litter. You should only pour in 5 or 7.5 cm of the litter when you fill the box.
Step 4. Use a litter box your cat likes
There are many different types of bedding, made from many materials. The most important thing is to find one that your cat likes. Almost everyone prefers the clumping, odorless material. Your pet, however, may prefer something different, especially if they have been adopted and used to a different litter box. Note your cat's preferences and adjust the litter box accordingly.
- The most common types of litter are: clumping, non-clumping, silicon and biodegradable.
- Change the litter boxes gradually, to minimize the shock and confusion of the animal. Mix a small amount of the new material with the old one every day for three to five days. If you do this a little at a time, your cat shouldn't notice the difference.
- If your cat continually goes to the toilet in a pot, she may prefer natural soil to the litter box. This can be a problem especially for cats who are used to living outdoors. Try lining the pet's tray with soil and see if it uses it.
Step 5. Reward the cat for using the litter box
Praise him as soon as he's done going to the toilet. This positive reinforcement will teach the animal that the litter box is the place where it should evacuate.
Step 6. Don't punish your cat when she goes to the toilet outside the litter box
Negative reinforcement does not work with cats and may even cause the animal to avoid the litter box altogether.
- If your cat goes to the toilet outside the litter box, it's important to wash that surface right away with an enzymatic cleaner that neutralizes odors. If your pet sniffs his urine on the carpet, he may begin to consider that spot or surface to be his bathroom.
- If your cat defecates outside the litter box, scoop up her poo (with a tissue or gloves) and place it in the litter box. The smell produced will prompt the cat to use the litter box in the future.
- Try making areas where you don't want your cat to go to the toilet undesirable. If he has a tendency to defecate or urinate in one part of the house rather than in the litter box, leave foil or double-sided tape there to discourage him.
Step 7. As a last resort, try isolation training
If your cat just doesn't want to know about using the litter box and no training method seems to work, confining him to a single room with the litter box may prompt him to use it.
- You should only resort to this attempt as a last resort when nothing else has worked.
- Do not confine your cat to a small room for long periods of time. It would be cruel.
- Make sure your cat has access to food, water, and a bed in the room with the litter box. However, keep it on the opposite side of the room from those objects.
- If your cat only needs one type of surface, such as dirt or carpet, and refuses to use the litter box, line the litter box with that material. If necessary, buy more pieces of carpet to put in the box. When you are used to using the box with the carpet inside, start spreading the sand to gradually move to that material. Always replace dirty materials with clean ones.
Method 2 of 5: Train a Cat to Stop Biting
Step 1. Remain still
If your cat becomes too aggressive when playing because he uses his teeth and claws, react by immediately stopping playing, staying completely still and ignoring him. He loves to play, so when you deprive him of movement and interaction, he will quickly learn what not to do.
- Never hit the cat. Likewise, don't scream or splash it with water when it bites you. Over time, these negative reactions can lead to him being afraid of you.
- Try playing differently if your cat becomes too aggressive. He may have gotten into the hunting mentality. Use a toy with a long handle or string to allow your pet to practice without getting used to unwanted and aggressive behaviors.
Step 2. Respect the territorial limits of the cat
It is possible that a cat will bite or scratch you because you have not handled it gently or because you have made it feel threatened. If your pet needs space, give it to him. If he doesn't want to be touched, try not to.
Step 3. Give your cat a space to hunt
He may not get enough physical activity or may not be able to vent his predatory instincts. Try giving him toys that he can shake, such as balls or stuffed mice. This will give him the impression of hunting and catching prey. For an even better solution, use a toy with a rod and string, similar to a fishing rod, so you can play with the animal.
Try using catnip. Many soft toys for cats have a velcro pocket to insert catnip. Alternatively, you can simply sprinkle some on the ground and let your cat roll on it. About half of cats do not like catnip, but those it does affect will be able to play intensely safely and then relax with a period of ecstatic inactivity
Method 3 of 5: Train a Cat to Stop Scratching Furniture
Step 1. Give your cat a scratching post
If your pet is constantly scratching at you or ruining your furniture, he may be doing it because he needs to sharpen his nails or because he wants to brand those objects with his scent (using glands in his paws). By giving him a tool like a scratching post, on which he can vent his urge to scratch, you should stem this problem.
- If you catch your cat scratching a piece of furniture, carpet, or other object that it shouldn't scratch, interrupt it with a sudden noise. Try clapping your hands or shaking a jar full of coins to scare the animal.
- Immediately lead the cat to his scratching post. By interrupting it and taking it to the appropriate tool, you will make the animal understand that it can scratch some objects but not others.
Step 2. Use citrus or menthol
Cats don't like these smells. Rubbing citrus (or mentholated) essential oil on your cat's scratched furniture should prevent her from doing it again in the future.
- Sprinkle citrus oil or a menthol-based cream on top of the cotton wool.
- Try swabbing the legs and armrests of the furniture your cat is targeting. Note that this strategy will leave an odor on the furniture and may stain it. Essential oil should stain less than cream. If you are afraid of stains, simply try tying the balls with string to the legs of the sofa and tables your cat has scratched.
Step 3. Use the spray method
If your cat continues to grab your hands and feet, or ruin furniture in the house, it may be wise to use the water spray method. Fill a spray bottle with water. When the cat misbehaves, sprinkle water on him. He will not appreciate it and will soon learn to associate this unpleasant sensation with scratches and bites.
Be careful, though, as your cat may associate the unpleasant sensation of the spray with you. It may even come to fear you
Step 4. Do not have the cat's claws removed
As much as your pet may have behavior problems, having his nails removed will only cause him worse problems. This is an incredibly painful operation for cats and can cause permanent problems, such as tissue necrosis, chronic pain, aversion to litter and increased aggression towards humans. Ask your vet about other ways to control your cat's scratching tendency if her behavior becomes problematic.
Method 4 of 5: Train a Cat Not to Climb on the Kitchen Table
Step 1. Remove all food in sight
If you keep food on the kitchen counter, including the cat bowl, the cat will think it can find the food there. Remove all food from the tables and place the cat bowl on the ground (when he has to use it) to discourage him from climbing onto the counter.
Step 2. Make the kitchen tables unwelcome to the animal
This is one of the best ways to keep your cat away from those surfaces.
- Apply double-sided tape to one side of some plastic placemats.
- Put the placemats on the table.
- Over time, the cat will associate the counter with the unpleasant experience of walking the belt.
Step 3. Give the cat more space to climb
Cats love to climb, especially since they like to be lifted off the ground. It is possible that the kitchen tables are the highest points they can reach. Give him other spaces to climb, like a cat house, which you can put wherever you like.
Step 4. Keep the cat out of the kitchen
If your pet keeps climbing on the kitchen counter when you prepare dinner, keep him confined to the bedroom or bathroom if possible. Let the cat out as soon as you have finished preparing food.
Method 5 of 5: Train a Cat to Execute Commands
Step 1. Use mouthwatering food treats
The training of a cat is different from that of a dog; dogs learn because they want to make you happy, but to train a cat you need to respect their independence and give them tempting reasons to obey. Kibble will not work, as well as exaggerated praise, which cats are less interested in than dogs; the secret is to use very tasty foods such as catnip, pieces of fresh chicken or tuna.
Step 2. Make sure the cat participates
Before you start teaching your pet a command, make sure he understands that you are trying to teach him something.
- Hold the treat in front of his nose so he knows that a potential reward awaits him.
- Slowly move your hand with the prize over and behind his head. Keep doing this until the animal sits down.
- Praise the cat and reward him as soon as he sits down.
Step 3. Try using a clicker
If you don't have one, you can use a trigger pen to produce a similar sound. Give the cat a treat every time you use the clicker, so that she learns to associate the reward with the sound. Then, when the cat executes the command you want, such as chasing the stick you just threw, press the clicker and immediately give him a reward. Eventually the animal will react each time you throw the stick and press the clicker.
Step 4. Give your pet short training sessions
Remember that cats can get tired easily. Aim for sessions of about 15 minutes, once or twice a day.
Step 5. Respect the cat
As a cat owner, you are probably aware of their unique personality and independent nature. Never force a cat to carry out commands that he does not intend to carry out. Some cats calmly learn to use the toilet and then flush the toilet or perch on your shoulder as you walk around the house, while others prefer not to be disturbed or touched. Learn to live with your cat so that you can get something out of this relationship for each other.
Advice
- Be careful not to give your cat too many food treats. Doing so will make him indifferent to tasty foods, which will no longer be tempting rewards for the animal. Eating too many food rewards could also cause your cat to become overweight, which could be a serious health problem.
- It is easier to train a puppy, but it is also possible to train an adult cat.
- Get food treats your cat loves.
