Training your feline companion can be a deeply rewarding experience, fostering a stronger bond and equipping them with essential life skills. While many perceive cats as untrainable, they learn constantly from their interactions, and with the right approach, they can master various behaviors. This guide delves into how cats learn, the benefits of consistent training, and practical methods to apply scientific principles at home.
Understanding How Cats Learn
Cats learn through various forms of associative learning, primarily operant conditioning and classical conditioning. Operant conditioning involves learning by consequence, where behaviors are either reinforced (increasing the likelihood of the behavior) or punished (decreasing the likelihood). Positive reinforcement, using rewards like food or praise, is highly effective and recommended. Negative reinforcement, where an unpleasant stimulus is removed, is not advised due to potential welfare risks. Similarly, punishment, whether positive (adding an unpleasant consequence) or negative (withholding something desirable), can lead to stress, fear, and damaged relationships. Dr. Sarah Ellis emphasizes that punishment, by its nature, can make owners seem aversive, leading to anxiety and avoidance in cats.
Classical conditioning, on the other hand, involves learning through association. A prime example is counter-conditioning, where a neutral stimulus (like a cat carrier) is associated with a positive experience (like receiving a favorite treat, such as tuna). This helps cats develop positive associations with previously feared objects or situations. Other learning types include single-event learning (learning from a single significant experience), habituation (getting used to repeated, non-threatening stimuli), and sensitization (becoming more reactive to stimuli). Kittens also learn through social facilitation and stimulus enhancement, observing and imitating adult cats.
The Importance of Life Skills Training
While teaching tricks can be enjoyable, prioritizing “life skills” training is crucial for your cat’s well-being and integration into your household. Key skills include responding to their name, comfortably entering a carrier, tolerating grooming and veterinary examinations, and accepting medication. Dr. Wailani Sung highlights that training these basic behaviors strengthens the human-animal bond and significantly eases vet visits. A study published in Applied Animal Behaviour Science demonstrated that cats trained to use their carriers exhibited less stress during car rides and vet exams, with the process being completed more efficiently.
Beyond practical life skills, training offers cognitive enrichment, keeping your cat mentally stimulated. This is particularly beneficial for shelter cats, where training programs have shown to reduce frustration and improve welfare. A study in Animals found that shelter cats, even shy ones, could learn tricks like sitting, spinning, and high-fiving through clicker training, fostering positive associations with people.
Applying Training Science at Home
When training your cat, focus on positive reinforcement and consistent application. Identify high-value treats your cat loves, as they are unlikely to work for free. Keep training sessions short, fun, and voluntary, allowing your cat to disengage if they choose. Avoid punishment, as it can create anxiety and negatively impact your relationship. Instead, redirect undesirable behaviors by providing appropriate outlets, such as scratching posts for scratching.
For instance, to train your cat to enter a carrier, begin by making the carrier a positive space. Leave it open with comfortable bedding and occasional treats inside. Gradually progress to encouraging your cat to enter for short periods, eventually associating it with positive outcomes. Similarly, for grooming or veterinary desensitization, start with brief, positive interactions, rewarding calm behavior.
It’s also vital to remember that certain behaviors, like scratching, are natural feline instincts. Instead of trying to eliminate them, provide appropriate alternatives like scratching posts and reward their use. By understanding how cats learn and applying science-based positive reinforcement techniques, you can enhance your cat’s quality of life and strengthen your unique bond. For those interested in specific training plans, resources are available for teaching cats to enter their carrier and perform a “sit pretty.”
Adapted with permission of the publisher from the book Purr: The Science of Making Your Cat Happy written by Zazie Todd and published by Greystone Books in May 2022.
Listen out for more from Zazie in a forthcoming episode of our Research Digest podcast, PsychCrunch.
