Cat Training Aids

Should you send your cat to obedience school? The answer is no – it is not necessary. With some determination and patience on your part and the use of the right training aids, your cat can learn good behavior without going to school.

Food Tray
Your cat has to learn to eat only from their designated tray; this will keep them from begging while you eat or worse, stealing food from your plate. Keep their food dish far from where you eat – and feed them before you have dinner, cats tend to take a nap after eating.

Scratching Posts
It’s natural for cats to scratch (this is how they keep their claws sharp) however, your furniture is not the place for this. Give your cat scratching posts and teach them to use these, not the furniture. If necessary, use a liquid repellent to keep your cat from scratching the furniture; cats find the smell and taste of these repellents unappealing, so it won’t take your cat long to catch on.

Toys
Cats need plenty of exercise and tend to enjoy playtimes. They will play with nearly anything; so to keep them from playing with your easily broken possessions make sure to give them balls, yarn and other toys to keep them busy. Cats of all ages will enjoy these toys.

Treats
You can even teach your cat tricks, such as shaking hands or playing fetch. You won’t keep them doing this for long, however, unless you provide them with the proper motivation. Give them treats and praise when they learn a trick or perform a task successfully.

Water
Cats will occasionally howl for attention and get into fights with other cats. A spray of water is a good way to train them out of these problem behaviors; it works well to deter any problem behavior your cat may exhibit.

Cat Grass
Cats will eat plants; it’s just part of their nature. They may do this to help them to cough up hairballs or just out of boredom. Since many common houseplants may be toxic to your cat, provide them with cat grass. It’s better for them and it keeps your houseplants from being eaten by your cat.

Nesting Spot
Cats love to get up in high places so they can see everything; they will also choose these spots to sleep in sometimes, since it makes them feel safe. Make a comfortable elevated spot for your cat to hang out and nap in. You can rub the area with a treat to get your cat interested in exploring it.

You’ll still need to be patient when training your cat, even with these training aids. However, your cat will learn and soon become a well behaved member of the family (maybe better behaved than children!).