More than likely you have heard the expression that “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” For those of us who are cat owners, we may feel very similar. The fact of the matter is, however, cats can be taught and even at an old age, they can learn how to do some fantastic tricks. That being said, there are also a few things that need to be done in order to ensure that things go as smoothly as possible.
Perhaps the first step in the process doesn’t really involve your cat but rather, it involves you. Your cat is going to be perfectly happy never to learn a single trick but you likely have some specific goals in mind. Write down those goals and from that point, you can begin to come up with a plan that will allow you to teach the cat some fairly incredible things.
Something else that is important to consider is the fact that your cat does not necessarily want to do something for nothing. Most cats are really going to appreciate some type of reward and they find it extremely motivational when the reward is suitable for the animal. One option that many cat owners consider, and one that works quite well, is to give your cat small treats. You can buy these treats at your local pet store but your cat will really appreciate some small pieces of cooked chicken or tuna as well. Just make sure that it is something special and not just a piece of kibble.
If there is one thing that most of us know about cats, it’s the fact that they are curious. You can use that curiosity to your advantage, training the cat in some rather unique and inventive ways. When you first start training your cat, even if they are older, they will naturally be curious as to what you’re doing. Use that interest to your advantage.
It doesn’t matter if you are trying to train an older cat or a younger cat, it is important to set certain boundaries. You may be able to train a dog for a lengthy amount of time but most cats are going to get bored and perhaps even resistant to the training after about five minutes. Rather than trying to train them for a long amount of time, use several short sessions throughout the day and you will accomplish much good.
When you end the training session, be sure that you do so in a very positive way. If your cat learns that the training sessions are something to be enjoyed, they are more likely to use them to their advantage as well.
Older cats can be taught many different tricks, including how to sit, rollover or even fetch. Try starting with the basic moves and keep things rather light. Eventually, your cat will be amazing you and anyone else who happens to see the tricks.