Welcome feline fanciers! Skye Blake here… bet you’re wondering how to train a cat.
More people are now wanting to include their cats in activities like traveling, walking, even biking.
And, of course, if you’re moving, even if it’s in the same town, you want to make it as stress-free as possible for both of you.
The information here is for general knowledge… always see your vet with questions about your cat’s individual needs.
Who Is Skye Blake?
Skye Blake, Cat Info Detective, is a curious cat researcher (not a veterinarian or trainer) who sniffs out expert, reliable sources about cats, studies their information, then passes it on to you!
Sometimes there’s not enough evidence for easy answers, so Skye gives you all sides and explains the situation as thoroughly and clearly as possible, linking you to experts on each page.
All sources are at the bottom of each page so you can do more snooping.
Is It Possible to Train a Cat?
The answer is… Yes! It can even be fun!
Most cats can learn to love the carrier, wear a harness and leash, and come when called.
But we’re such independent critters… how is that possible?
The trick is to give us a reason to WANT to do what you’re asking.
So, let’s discover how to train a cat starting with “Teach a Cat to Come When Called“.
Once you’ve mastered the training basics and have your cat coming to her name, use the same techniques for anything you want to work on.
Here are some training ideas…
Cat Carrier Wars – How to Get Yours to Love It! – essential for travel, especially to the vet’s office!
Leash and Harness Training Your Cat – great for travel, camping, even going for a walk together in your backyard!
Clicker Training for Cats – this excellent method is used for targeted behavior… and a great fun game for both you and your cat.
After Training Your Cat
You’re training your cat for a reason, whether going to the vet, vacationing together, going for walks, or moving to another house.
Once your cat is trained, you’ll need to know more about taking your cat on your travels. Discover more at… “Traveling With a Cat“
Sources
Sources used on this website are either primary or secondary.
Primary sources are always preferable and have the most reliable information because they’re original and directly referenced.
Scientific abstracts and data are good examples of primary sources.
Secondary sources are weaker because they usually consist of opinions or articles that give no sources of their own.
However, sometimes they refer to primary sources.
When I use secondary sources, most are those with some authority, such as veterinarian or cat behaviorist books and articles.
List of Sources
“77 Things to Know Before Getting a Cat”, by Susan M. Ewing, Companion House Books, Fox Chapel Publishers International, Ltd., 2018
“Cat Calls: Wonderful Stories and Practical Advice from a Veteran Cat Sitter”, by Jeanne Adlon and Susan Logan (c), Used by permisson. Square One Publishers (www.squareonepublishers.com), Garden City Park, NY, 2012, page 60
“The Cat Whisperer”, by Mieshelle Nagelschneider, Bantam Books, The Random House Publishing Group, New York NY, 2013, www.bantamdell.com
“CatWise”, by Pam Johnson-Bennett, Certified Animal Behavior Consultant, Penguin Books, Penguin Random House, LLC, New York, NY, 2016
“The Inner Life of Cats, The Science and Secrets of Our Mysterious Feline Companions”, by Thomas McNamee, Hachette Books, Hachette Book Group, New York, NY, 2017, www.hachettebooks.com
“Think Like a Cat, How to Raise a Well-Adjusted Cat – Not a Sour Puss”, by Pam Johnson-Bennett, Certified Animal Behavior Consultant, Penguin Books, Penguin Group (USA) Inc, New York, NY, 2000, 2011
“The Tiger on Your Couch, What the Big Cats Can Teach You About Living in Harmony with Your House Cat”, by Bill Fleming and Judy Petersen-Fleming, William Morrow and Company, Inc., New York, NY, 1992
“Total Cat Mojo”, by Jackson Galaxy with Mikel Delgado, PhD, Tarcher Perigree, Penguin Random House, LLC, New York, NY, 2017
“What Your Cat Wants”, by Francesca Riccomini, Thunder Bay Press, Octopus Publishing Group, San Diego, CA, 2012
Updated July 15, 2023