Training your cat is an important job and giving them treats will encourage positive behavior and reinforce what you are trying to teach them. In addition, training helps to stimulate your cat’s mind and body, as well as strengthening your bond.
How do I train my cat with treats?
If you want your cat to repeat a behavior, then the quickest way to encourage that is to reward that behavior. An example is if you want your cat to meow back at you when you speak to her or if you want your cat to come when called – reward them with a treat when they do what you want and do not give them a treat.
Many cats are motivated by food, so small treats that do not complete with their daily nutritional intake are the perfect way to reinforce behaviors that you want. Over time your cat will connect the behavior with the cat treat.
When training, make sure to give training cat treats that are the same each time. The best time to train is before mealtime when your cat is likely to be hungry and more motivated by the promise of food. Training sessions should not last more than 15 minutes.
Some people use a clicker to help with positive reinforcement and they work well in conjunction with treats.
Here is an example of how to train your cat to come when called:
Some things to remember:
- Never punish your cat when training which can make your cat afraid and confused.
- Don’t force your cat to train by carrying her to where you want them to be
- Treats should be used for training only or your cat will expect a treat whenever she wants one
Reasons why you should train your cat or kitten
Cats cannot be trained like dogs, but they can be trained to do some things and more importantly how to not do something. Some of the things can train your cat to do:
- Stop biting, nipping, and scratching
- Teach them to sit or stay
- Come when called
- Meow when spoken to or not meow as often
- Teach them to find things by playing “hide and seek” with treats – to provide mental and physical stimulation
- Not to pull or bite during leash training
Which cat treats are best for training your cat?
The top three things to look for when choosing cat treats include healthy, natural, and grain-free.
PureBites Chicken Breast Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Treats
These cat treats are made with only 1 ingredient which means they are not filled with a lot of stuff like fillers and other things. They are made of pure, human-grade chicken breast and freeze-dried. They are easy for your cat to digest and are good for cats of all ages, those with health issues, and/or allergies.
Cat-Man-Doo Extra Large Dried Bonito Flakes
This one has been voted best in taste, made of the highest quality bonito flakes. These cat treats are high in protein, low in calories, and contain taurine. Taurine is essential to feline health and eye function. They also contain natural fish oils which will help keep your cat’s fur shiny. They are also good for dogs, so if you are a multi-pet home this is a great choice.
Feline Natural Freeze-dried Healthy Bites
Made from all-natural ingredients from New Zealand, these cat treats are grain-free, gluten-free, and Non-GMO. They are freeze-dried and 100% lamb meat from New Zealand.
*none of the products mentioned are sponsored or have been reviewed by allcatsconnected.com
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