Cats are intelligent and capable of learning, a fact often underestimated by many owners. Contrary to the belief that cats are untrainable, they continuously learn from their interactions with us. This learning can range from understanding that lap time leads to petting, to associating the crinkle of a treat bag with a tasty reward. However, cats also quickly learn to fear their carrier if it consistently signifies an unpleasant trip to the vet. While teaching tricks can be enjoyable and strengthen the bond between you and your feline companion, focusing on essential life skills is paramount. These include comfortably using a carrier, tolerating veterinary examinations, accepting grooming and dental care, and responding to their name. As Dr. Sarah Ellis, head of cat advocacy at International Cat Care, emphasizes, training cats equips them with the necessary skills to coexist harmoniously with humans, and these skills are well within a cat’s capability without compromising their essential nature.
The Science of Feline Learning
To effectively train a cat, it’s crucial to understand their learning mechanisms. The most effective methods involve positive reinforcement, where desirable behaviors are rewarded, making them more likely to be repeated. Food is often the most potent motivator for cats, as they are less driven by a desire to please than dogs. However, it’s vital to use small, calorie-appropriate rewards to prevent weight gain, a common issue in cats. Dr. Ellis advises breaking down commercial cat treats into much smaller pieces, as their standard size can be too large for a single training reward. For cats not accustomed to taking treats directly from a hand, using a spoon, a lollipop stick, or offering wet treats from a dish can prevent accidental bites. Training sessions should be kept short and engaging to prevent boredom or frustration, with breaks as needed.
Cats learn primarily through two types of associative learning: operant conditioning (learning by consequence) and classical conditioning (learning by association with events).
Operant Conditioning
Operant conditioning involves reinforcement or punishment following a behavior.
- Positive Reinforcement: This is the most widely used and recommended method. It involves rewarding the cat with something they like (e.g., a treat) immediately after they perform a desired behavior, increasing the likelihood of that behavior recurring.
- Negative Reinforcement: This involves removing an unpleasant stimulus when the cat performs the desired behavior. However, this method is generally not recommended due to potential risks to the cat’s welfare.
- Negative Punishment: This involves withholding something the cat likes to decrease an undesirable behavior. For instance, if a cat bites out of excitement during petting, stopping the petting can discourage the biting.
- Positive Punishment: This involves adding an unpleasant consequence to decrease a behavior, such as spraying a cat with water for jumping on a counter. This method is strongly discouraged as it can lead to fear, stress, and damage the human-animal bond. Instead, it’s recommended to redirect the behavior by providing appropriate alternatives, like a cat tree, and reinforcing desired actions.
When reinforcement stops, the behavior may eventually cease, a process known as extinction. An extinction burst can occur, where the behavior temporarily intensifies before disappearing. Research indicates that using punishment, particularly positive punishment, can lead to increased behavioral problems in cats, including eliminating outside the litter box and aggression.
Classical Conditioning
Classical conditioning, famously demonstrated by Pavlov’s dogs, involves learning through association. For example, a cat may associate its carrier with the unpleasant experience of a vet visit. To counteract this, a process called counter-conditioning can be used. By consistently pairing the sight of the carrier with highly desirable treats (like tuna), the cat learns to associate the carrier with positive outcomes. It’s crucial that the carrier predicts the treat, not the other way around, and that this association is maintained consistently.
Other Forms of Learning in Cats
Beyond associative learning, cats also exhibit other learning behaviors:
- Single-Event Learning: This is learning from a single, impactful experience, such as a very negative first vet visit that leads to a lasting fear of the carrier.
- Habituation: This occurs when a cat becomes accustomed to a repeated, benign stimulus, such as the noise of a dishwasher, and no longer reacts to it.
- Sensitization: This is the opposite of habituation, where a reaction to a stimulus becomes stronger over time, potentially leading to unnecessary stress.
- Social Learning: Kittens, especially during their sensitive socialization period, learn from observing and interacting with other cats and people. This includes social facilitation (paying attention because others are) and stimulus enhancement (paying attention to an object because others are interacting with it).
The Advantages of Training Your Cat
Training cats offers numerous benefits, fostering a stronger bond and improving their overall welfare. Teaching life skills like carrier training can significantly reduce stress during vet visits. Studies have shown that cats trained to use their carriers exhibit less stress and tolerate examinations better. Furthermore, training can be beneficial for shelter cats, helping them build positive associations with people and reducing frustration-related behaviors.
When embarking on cat training, focus on essential life skills that enhance your cat’s well-being, such as carrier training, grooming, and dental care. Starting early with kittens can prevent the development of negative associations that many adult cats form. Keep training sessions short, fun, and always offer your cat a choice to participate. Utilize positive reinforcement with highly motivating rewards to keep them engaged. Ultimately, training should be a pleasant and rewarding experience for both you and your feline companion, contributing to a happier and healthier life together.
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.
