Both learning tricks and basic obedience training is quite clearly associated with dog upbringing for most of us. There are few people who believe that cats can be trained in the same way. However, they can! Are you a happy cat owner and wondering if it’s even worth tackling the topic? Check out what you can do and how much you will gain from it!

Cat training – is it worth it?

Of course it is worth it. Any activity with your cat, if you use the right methods, brings a lot of benefits to both your cat and yourself. It allows you to spend time together and create a wonderful relationship. The cat will quickly notice that it can trust you and feel safe around you, as you show it attention, support, and reward it for desired behaviors. Training your cat gives you the opportunity to get to know it better, observe and analyze its behavior, and notice its demands, needs, fears, and limitations. Training a cat also has a practical side. It allows you to develop behaviors that interest you while extinguishing problematic ones.

Can you actually achieve results?

Absolutely! It is said that cats walk their own paths, they are extremely independent, and it is hard to make them comply, as they are very self-assured and stubborn creatures. Yes, a cat is a demanding student. However, nothing is impossible. By showing empathy and being both gentle and consistent as a guide, you can achieve impressive results. You must get to know your cat and, often through trial and error, discover the way of communicating with it that suits it best and what it responds to the most.

What can you teach a cat?

In reality, your only limit is your imagination (and of course the physical capabilities of the cat!). By dedicating a bit of time and engaging yourself, you can easily teach your cat, for example, not to jump on the table, to walk on a leash, to enter a carrier, and to behave calmly during car rides, to come when called, and to remain calm during grooming procedures like nail trimming, ear cleaning, etc. These are very useful skills that will make living with a cat much easier and free of stressful situations. Naturally, you can teach your cat all the „dog” tricks and commands such as sitting, lying down, begging, shaking paws, fetching, and many more.

If you decide to reward your cat with treats during training, choose those of high quality, like treats and SPECIFIC™ cat food which are a rich source of beneficial omega-3 fatty acids. This is a tasty and healthy snack, free from artificial colors and flavorings, that any cat will love!