Cats are known to be a little bit on the independent side, so it can be frustrating when you call your cat and they don’t come running. This is why training your cat to come when called is a very important lesson. You will have more freedom in being able to do what you want while still getting some kitty lovin’ time with them. Training them now will prevent future problems as well! So keep reading on – I’ve got all the tips right here.
Teach Your Cat to Come on Command
It’s astounding how quickly cats can be trained to come when called. The first step is to get the cat used to hearing certain sounds, like that of an electric can opener or dry food hitting their bowl. Once they’ve learned what these noises mean (which only takes a few days), it will take just one more step for them to associate those same sounds with your voice or whistle and respond accordingly.
It’s important to remember that, when it comes to animals, you can’t just use their name. You have to create a verbal cue for them to come back home with the sound of your voice. If they are outside you could try calling them in by saying “here kitty,” or you could use something else like whistling.
The sound of your can opener or shaking treat bag is likely enough to get your cat’s attention, and you can use that to your advantage. All you have to do is call out your kitty before opening the food can or shaking the treat bag! Make sure you always call your cat before opening the can, as that will condition your cat to associate the sound with food.
Training your cat to come is a process that can take some time, but it’s worth the effort. The more you work on this behavior, the faster they will learn to be able to do what you want them to do.
Cats are smart animals, but they can be easily distracted. The best time to teach your cat to come when called is while they are young kittens so you have more success with the training process. You might not need this information if it’s already been established that your cat comes reliably when called, but there may still be times when her attention span or curiosity gets in the way of her understanding what you want from her and how she should respond. If your kitty has gotten too old for quick learning like these techniques require, make sure you also take into account environmental factors such as distractions (like other pets) and playtime before giving up on teaching them all together.
Teaching your cat to come when called is a great way to keep her safe and happy. It’s never too late for them to learn, so if you’re having trouble getting any of these tips to work, just give it some time!
Let us know about your progress in the comments below.