--- title: How to Train a Cat description: Read our article to learn how to train a cat, what you’ll need, its benefits and challenges, and more. authors: - name: Emily Gutarra role: Writer url: https://money.com/author/emily-gutarra/ bio: Emily Gutarra is a former staff writer at Money Group, specializing in personal finance topics and product reviews with a focus on delivering clear, practical guidance. education: University of Puerto Rico - Río Piedras at_money_since: 2023 articles: 42 covers: - Pets - Credit - Housing - Identity Theft - Insurance former_staff: true editors: - name: José Omar Rodríguez role: Content Manager url: https://money.com/author/jose-omar-rodriguez/ bio: As an editor, José Omar specializes in personal finance topics and in-depth company reviews. His work has been featured in publications such as the Sacramento Bee, the Miami Herald, and the Kansas City Star. education: University of Puerto Rico at_money_since: 2019 articles: 21 covers: - Pets - Banking - Business - Career Advice - Credit - Credit Cards - Economy and Politics - Housing - Identity Theft - Insurance - Investing - Lifestyle - Loans - Mortgages - Professional Services - Retirement - Taxes - Technology published: '2024-02-23T14:40:12.000Z' modified: '2024-02-23T15:12:08.000Z' section: Pets word_count: 641 canonical: https://money.com/how-to-train-a-cat/ type: Article source: structured-blocks --- > **Disclosure:** We research all brands listed and may earn a fee from our partners. Research and financial considerations may influence how brands are displayed. Not all brands are included. [Learn more](https://money.com/page/disclaimer/). ![How to Train a Cat](https://img.money.com/2024/02/Evergreen-How-To-Train-Cat.jpg?quality=85&w=1012&h=569&crop=1) * * * Presented by: ![](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/22586/5313691c-d6ce-41df-a02b-0c77afcd427f.png) Get up to 90% reimbursement on your vet bills with Embrace Pet Insurance. The best pet deserves the best coverage. Get a free quote today. [Go to EmbracePetInsurance.com](https://money.com/pr/b01dbf63713d?ap_referrer=%2Fhow-to-train-a-cat%2F) Although not as popular and accessible as dog training, cat training also allows owners to weed out problematic cat behaviors, teach them fun tricks and provide them with the stimulation they require. Read on to learn which behaviors you can teach your cat and which you can modify or eliminate altogether, the benefits of cat training, the tools you will need and some proven cat training methods. ## Embrace Pet Insurance — for when the unexpected happens ### Personalize your pet’s policy to get the best for their needs and your budget. Get up to 90% reimbursement — just click on your state to get started. [View Plans](https://money.com/pr/c08cef208145?ap_referrer=%2Fhow-to-train-a-cat%2F) ## Why you should train your cat Aside from getting rid of unwanted behaviors and instilling healthy ones, cat training gives owners the chance to get to know their cats better. Through consistent examination of their behavior, in time owners are able to better identify and understand their cats’ cues and body language. Training also provides them with the necessary mental and physical stimuli to meet their need for enrichment, especially if they’re indoor cats. This may in turn reduce the impulses that bring on the negative behaviors. However, if the training is not done properly, it could worsen the existing issues or create new ones, as it often happens with punishments during training. That is why we recommend consulting animal behaviorists and other experts for training tips and guidance. ## Skills and behaviors your cat can learn and unlearn Cat training can both teach your cat new tricks and skills as well as help them unlearn bad behaviors and reinforce the good ones. The tables below outline some of the most common behaviors cat owners want to instill in their cats as well as those they wish to modify or eliminate. | **Desired behaviors and tricks** | **Unwanted behaviors** | | --- | --- | | Sitting Giving high fives Using the litter box Wearing a leash Sitting in a carrier | Scratching furniture Jumping on the kitchen counter Pottying outside their designated area Biting Excessive meowing | ## Training tools and supplies you will need Depending on the type of training you want or need your cat to have, there are different tools and items you may need. Cat treats are a must for positive reinforcement no matter the focus of your training. High-value treats like freeze-dried chicken and fish bits might give your cat a little more motivation. Scratching posts or horizontal scratchers will be key in training your cat to stop scratching the furniture in your home. If the problem is that they bite your hands or whatever they can grab when playing, you will probably need cat toys to which you can redirect your cat’s attention during playtime. Other common training tools include clickers, pointing sticks, and more. ## Cat training methods Below we discuss some of the most common training methods for cats. Keep in mind that not all approaches will work on every cat, so you might have to try a few before narrowing down which is best for yours. You also don’t have to choose just one. If your cat responds to all three, then by all means, use all three. - **Clicker training:** This method aims to associate a clicking sound — made immediately after your cat has performed the desired behavior — with receiving treats and other rewards. - **Voice command training:** With this method, the goal is to get your cat to associate your commands to the behavior you want them to display. - **Hand signal training:** Similar to voice command training, the purpose of this type of training is to get your cat to associate commands with different hand gestures. ## How to train a cat FAQs ### Are cats easy to train? Not all cats will be equally easy to train. In fact, some experts believe dogs are easier to train than cats because of their obedient nature. ### What commands can I teach my cat? Cat owners can teach their cats to come when they are called, sit, high-five, spin and do other tricks dogs can do as well. ### Should I train my cat? Training your cat to do tricks is not really necessary. However, if they are exhibiting behavior problems such as biting when playing or jumping on your countertops, then yes, you should train them. Training your feline friend committedly will ensure these issues are fixed. ## Summary of Money’s Guide on How to Train a Cat - Through cat training, pet parents can teach their cat tricks, reinforce or establish good behaviors and modify bad or unwanted behaviors in young and adult cats. - Cat training also helps owners become more in tune with their cats. - Common types of training for cats include litter training, leash training, carrier or crate training and more. - The tools and supplies you will need for your training sessions will depend on the type and focus of your cat’s training. - Some cats may take to certain training methods better than others, which is why owners must experiment with each until they find the one that works best for them. ## The best pet deserves the best coverage ### Get up to 90% reimbursement on vet bills with Healthy Paws — quality coverage tailored to your pet’s needs. Get a quote now. 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