Training Kittens: Patience and Consistency for a Relaxed Coexistence
It is well known that cats have a mind of their own and are much less receptive to the wishes and commands of their owners than is the case with dogs. That doesn't mean that you can't and shouldn't train your kitten at all. In the following, we will explain how to to this the right way and what your little four-legged friend must learn under any circumstances.
Training kittens – the main points at a glance
- With the right approach, kittens can be trained, even if the possibilities are limited compared to dogs.
- When kittens are rewarded for good behaviour, they gradually internalise that this pays off for them.
- It's important to set certain limits for your kitten from a young age so that they don't get into the habit of undesirable behaviours.
- When training a kitten, physical violence and loud scolding must be avoided.
- A stern no, a clapping of hands, and moving the kitten to a different spot if necessary is enough as a consequence of bad behaviour.
- It is critical to successful cat training that the response to good and bad behaviour is always immediate.
Can kittens be trained at all?
If you want to get your kitten to sit on command, fetch a ball or perform any kind of stunts like a dog, then unfortunately we have to disappoint you here, because it doesn't work that way with a cat. The four-legged friends are much more stubborn and independent than dogs. When in doubt, they don't care at all what their owners think of certain behaviours.
When raising a kitten, the primary aim is to establish certain rules that the animal must follow. For example, you can teach the cat not to scratch the sofa, that biting is undesirable, or that they have to relieve themselves in the litter box.
If you're hoping for a loyal companion who is eager to please you at all times, buying a kitten may not be the right decision for you and you may be better off getting a dog.
What kittens need to learn about living with humans
There are a few rules that kittens need to learn in order to live happily with their human companions. This includes, in particular, that the four-legged friend is not allowed to bite or scratch you, that the only place for claw care is the scratching post and that the only place for relieving themselves is the litter box.
Setting up further rules is of course possible in the context of the kitten's upbringing. Maybe you don't want the pet to be sleeping in your child's bed or climbing between your favourite china plates on the living room shelf. It is important that you are consistent when raising your kitten and do not redefine the rules every day at your whim.
Start training the kitten from an early age
Ideally, start setting boundaries for the kitten as early as possible. If your kitten doesn't learn the rules from the start, you will have a lot of work later on training your adult cat and breaking habits that have been internalised for a long time.
What works for kitten training?
Despite all the differences, training a puppy and training a kitten have one thing in common. This is because positive reinforcement works quite well with cats when it comes to promoting certain behaviours.
When your kitten has done what you expect, praise and pet the kitten or reward them with a tasty cat treat. In this way, the little four-legged friend will learn over time which behaviour is worthwhile for them and you have a good chance of making initial progress in raising your kitten.
Training kittens without violence
It should go without saying that training a kitten by using violence is absolutely taboo. Also, be sure not to raise your voice if you get annoyed with your little four-legged friend, as you will not succeed this way. Furthermore, the kitten will fear you and, in the worst case, can develop permanent behavioural problems as a consequence.
If the kitten does something it shouldn't do, it's perfectly sufficient to say no in a stern voice and perhaps clap your hands as well. More is neither necessary nor useful to signal the kitten that it has not behaved properly.
If the four-legged friend ignores you and, for example, continues to sink their claws into the sofa, you can remove the animal from there and place it somewhere else. In this case, it is best to put it directly in front of the scratching post. But even then you must not touch the kitten roughly.
Immediate consequences when training kittens
If you want to train your kitten successfully, the right timing is crucial. Both a possible reward and a no must immediately follow the respective behaviour. Only then is the kitten able to link the two and draw the appropriate conclusions.
For example, if you come home from shopping and discover that your four-legged friend has scratched the sofa, you can save yourself your warning words, since the kitten does not understand what you want from him anyway.
Training kittens – our conclusion
As you can see, kittens can be trained. The possibilities are considerably limited compared to dogs. If you proceed correctly, however, with a little patience you will definitely succeed in raising your kitten in such a way that living with your four-legged friend does not end in chaos and you can both feel comfortable with each other.