Is It Possible To Train A Cat?
April 6, 2009 by admin
Filed under Cat Training
There seems to be a common misconception that cats cannot be trained, something which is widely accepted as public knowledge. However, there is much question amongst vets and animal lovers as to whether this is actually true.
The answer is, unfortunately, not simple; it all depends on your definition of ‘training’. If you are thinking of cat training as being akin to dog training, as in teaching tricks such as sit and stay, then the answer is no; cats cannot be trained to perform those tasks. Cats are a much more independent species that are largely devoid of the pack mentality; something that is hugely relied upon in dog tricks. The owner of a dog uses that pack mindset, with themselves as leader, to tell the dog what to do – and the dog happily obeys. Cats, unfortunately, are a little more stubborn.
This does not mean that cats do not have the capacity to learn; it’s more that they’re less interested in doing so, as they don’t have an inbuilt desire to follow a leader. While lions are famed for their habits of living in a pride, they are the exception of the cat world rather than the rule.
Cats can, however, be trained to obey simple commands. You can eliminate bad behaviour, such as scratching at furniture or excessive meowing for food. The difference is the process – whereas dogs learn tricks to follow and obey, cats must be trained to follow orders because not doing so is uncomfortable for them. This is achieved largely by making bad behaviour unpleasant and good behaviour is rewarded – while an element of this exists in dog training, it is all the more important to reinforce the point with cats.
This stubborn nature is what makes cats such a pleasure to own for most people, as well as the level of independence they have from humans. Where a dog can never really be left for long without company, cats – while still requiring attention – need a lot less monitoring. So while training your cat may be a frustrating process, it is nevertheless part and parcel of what makes a cat such an enjoyable pet.
