How to Discipline a Cat—Why Positive Reinforcement Is the Best Method · Kinship Leave a comment

In my view, the reply is… you shouldn’t self-discipline your cat. Any coaching tactic that causes ache, stress, or worry is just not OK. As an alternative of seeing the constructive adjustments you’re hoping for, you’re extra more likely to see a rise in undesirable habits as a result of stress and an enduring unfavorable affect in your relationship. Punishment simply isn’t the correct strategy. 

Don’t fear! You don’t want to make use of this type of self-discipline. There are many positive-training methods you may strive that can have a a lot greater affect in your cat’s habits and assist a loving, wholesome relationship.

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Can cats be skilled like canine?

Sure! Cats are extremely trainable. In actual fact, many cat coaching methods are just like these used for canine, although the motivation could also be slightly totally different. 

Many canine see pleasing their individual as a reward. With cats, it’s extra of a barter system. If the reward is effective sufficient, they’re blissful to take part. If not, you might need to sweeten the pot.

Cats are extraordinarily clever. They study the identical manner different animals (and other people) do — by expertise and reward. Should you get a brownie each time you smile at somebody, you’re extra excited by smiling at individuals. In case your cat will get reward each time they use their scratching submit as an alternative of the sofa, they’re possible to make use of the scratching submit. 

Cats additionally do nicely with clicker coaching, a software typically used to coach canine and different animals.

What to do as an alternative of disciplining your cat

Coaching and habits modification ways range primarily based on the problem you’re attempting to handle. Listed here are some normal dos and don’ts you may contemplate:

Keep away from punishment

We’ve talked about why punishment isn’t the way in which to go. Your cat’s habits relies on hundreds of years of instinctual programming. Punishment isn’t going to override that intuition. Use positive-training strategies as an alternative. 

Don’t use bodily power 

This can be a type of punishment. Any bodily self-discipline could have a unfavorable affect. 

I do know it’s laborious, particularly when your cat is being aggressive. A cat scratch or chunk can set off us to throw an elbow or kick a leg with out even realizing it. We’ve got our personal instincts that kick in once we really feel ache or potential hazard. Do your greatest to try to handle these reactions. They received’t resolve the issue. They’ll simply make it worse. 

Be mindful, cats have a powerful sense of self-preservation and can defend themselves in the event that they really feel they’re at risk. You don’t need to be on the receiving finish of a cat combating for his or her security. 

Present alternate options and constructive retailers

Punishment doesn’t contemplate the necessity your cat is attempting to fulfill with the undesirable habits. It’s not nearly telling them what to not do. It’s about giving them an alternate solution to meet that want. There must be a “sure” choice, or they are going to discover their very own solution to meet these wants. 

In case your cat is scratching one thing you don’t need them to scratch, they want a greater scratcher choice. In the event that they’re getting play-aggressive with you as a result of they’re bored, they want extra play and enrichment. Should you can determine the “why,” you can provide them a greater different that works for each of you. 

Use positive-reinforcement coaching methods.

Sure, sure, sure. Constructive reinforcement is the greatest factor you are able to do. Reward the behaviors you need to see extra of. It really works!

In case your cat makes use of the litter field, sits on the stool as an alternative of leaping on the counter, assaults their toy as an alternative of your arm, or something that makes you say, “Good! That’s what I needed to see!” reward them. Treats, verbal reward, play, petting, no matter they love, can be utilized as a reward. 

By no means scare your cat with loud noises or yelling

The phrase “scare” is your clue on this one. You need to keep away from something that can add stress or worry. That features yelling, clapping loudly, stomping, and many others. 

Once more, I do know this may be laborious. After I hear two cats combating, for instance, my first intuition is to get in there and make noise to startle them aside. However all that does is freak them out extra. I need to cease and take into consideration what I can do to truly assist the scenario. 

Put away the spray bottle.

Most of us have finished it in some unspecified time in the future in our lives. I’m responsible. Our cat does one thing we need to cease, and we seize a water bottle and spray them. This falls into the class of inflicting stress. We’ve got a very useful article that dives deeper.  

Give your cat house in the event that they’re aggressive.

Most feline aggression is rooted in worry. A scared cat will defend themselves. Play-aggression is one other widespread subject, extra typically with high-energy cats. 

No matter the kind of aggression, the perfect factor you are able to do within the second is depart the world. In case your cat is scared, they want time to decompress and reset. In the event that they’re play aggressive, you need to present all of them the enjoyable stops after they get bite-y. 

It’s vital to work on the triggers for these points as nicely (and be sure to’re assembly that want for play in higher methods). However, within the second, simply give your cat some house. 

Keep away from bodily punishment for accidents in the home.

We talked about punishment being a nasty thought general. I believe it’s useful to name out home soiling particularly. 

That widespread thought of “rubbing your pet’s nostril in it” as a manner of displaying them why you’re mad is a very dangerous thought. In case your cat is soiling, one thing is improper! They both have a medical, emotional, or litter field setup subject. Stress is commonly an enormous set off. 

You possibly can see why that form of response from you is more likely to make issues worse and received’t enable you to get to the basis of the issue. As an alternative, take a deep breath and bear in mind that almost something might be cleaned. Now, you can begin working the issue. 

Speak along with your vet.

Habits points can really be signs of medical points. That’s why it’s vitally vital to succeed in out to your veterinarian when your cat exhibits sudden, unexplained adjustments of their regular habits. Issues like soiling, aggression, vocalizing, and even worry can all be triggered by ache and discomfort. 

Clicker prepare your cat.

Clicker coaching is an effective way to work on habits points, worry, reinforcing the behaviors you need, and extra. Try our article on tips on how to clicker prepare your cat.

What to do when your cat bites

Cats can chunk for a lot of causes. Worry or defensive aggression, play aggression, attention-seeking, ache or discomfort, attempting to set boundaries, and extra. Irrespective of the explanation, you may work on the problems in a constructive manner. We’ve got a number of articles on biting and aggression that can assist you nail down the sort, set off, and determination. Right here’s an amazing place to start out.

Instructing your cat to not leap on counters

That is such a standard subject. Out of your cat’s perspective, it’s fully affordable to make use of all accessible surfaces within the house. Why not the counter too? There’s additionally meals up there. And that’s the place the motion is. Everybody hangs out within the kitchen. 

Out of your perspective, it’s gross. Sufficient stated. So … what are you able to do? You guessed it. Coaching. Right here’s a improbable article on educating your cat to remain off the counters. 

When to hunt skilled assist

There’s assist accessible if you want it. A feline habits guide is a superb start line. That’s what I do. We assist determine the wants or triggers behind the undesirable habits and develop a modification plan to work on it. 

Your veterinarian can also be a key a part of your assist staff, to rule out or tackle any doable medical causes for the undesirable habits.

Bottom line

• Self-discipline, punishment, something unfavorable that causes stress, worry, or ache goes to do harm. It received’t resolve the issue. It is going to create new issues.

• Constructive coaching methods are the very best solution to get the outcomes you need and strengthen your relationship. 

• There’s a cause behind your cat’s undesirable habits. Determine what want they’re attempting to fulfill or what triggers the habits you need to change. Then give them higher alternate options.

• Use constructive reinforcement (rewards) when your cat is doing what you need them to do. This can encourage them to repeat these needed behaviors. 

References

• “Feline Habits Issues: Home Soiling.” Cornell College Faculty of Veterinary Medication, 23 July 2018, www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/feline-behavior-problems-house-soiling.

• Josling, Catherine, and Claudine Falcis. “Managing Your Kitten’s Tough Play.” UCDavis Veterinary Medication. https://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/websites/g/recordsdata/dgvnsk491/recordsdata/inline-files/Managing_Your_Kitten_rough_play.pdf.

• Kogan, Lori, et al. “Evaluation of Clicker Coaching for Shelter Cats.” Animals, vol. 7, no. 12, 22 Sept. 2017, p. 73, www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/7/10/73, https://doi.org/10.3390/ani7100073.

• “Suggestions for Cat House owners | Metropolis of OKC.” Okc.gov, 2025, www.okc.gov/departments/animal-welfare/education-and-resources/tips-for-cat-owners. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.