Can Cats Be Trained?

It is commonly believed that cats cannot be trained. The independent reputation of cats makes some people love them all the more; others prefer dogs for the same reason. The fact is, as independent as cats are, they can in fact be trained to a greater extent than many pet owners realize. If your cat exhibits problem behavior, this should be a relief to you.

When cats cause owners a problem, such as regarding the litter box, destroying property or aggression, people too often think they have to either give up the cat or just tolerate the uncomfortable situation. For the vast majority of cats, this is happily not true. With a little effort, you should be able to train your cat into being a much better pet.

One area of concern is the litter box. It is certainly unpleasant and unsanitary when your cat does not use its litter box properly, or at all. First of all, cats are extremely clean animals by nature, so it is not fundamentally a problem to litter train them. If your cat was previously using the litter box and has stopped, something is definitely wrong. The first thing you should do is have the cat examined by a veterinarian, to rule out medical problems.

One physical problems are ruled out, you should consider the condition and positioning of the litter box itself. It has to be frequently cleaned out or the cat will not want to use it. It should also be in a quiet space. Cats, like people, like to have their own "bathroom" not in the middle of things. It should also not be very close to the cat's food and water. The size should be just right as well -large enough, but also small enough to feel like a distinct space.

Does your cat scratch or bite? This can obviously be an undesirable situation, especially if it leaves you with cuts! As with litter box issues, you should have the cat checked out physically, especially if the behavior is recent. On the other hand, if the cat has always been aggressive, it may simply be not socialized or perhaps it was a feral cat not used to being around people at all. For these situations, you will have to have some patience and realize that the cat needs to be gradually tamed and accustomed to human companionship.

When it comes to aggression, you should learn to recognize signs such as body language. This will prevent you from reaching out to the cat at the wrong time. Cats also need a certain amount of exercise and play. You should preferably play with your cat every day, but not in a way that encourages aggression. Play both provides exercise and is a way to bond with your cat. Having your cat spayed (if you haven't already done so) will also reduce aggression and make for a tamer pet.

These are some rudimentary tips in addressing cat behavior problems. You may need to further your education in this area if you have a more long-standing problem with your cat. The main thing to remember is that a healthy cat can almost always be made into an exemplary pet!

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