30 Tricks to teach your cat

If you’ve ever thought cats can’t be trained, think again! While cats have a reputation for being independent and, let’s face it, a little stubborn, they’re actually quite smart and can learn tricks just like dogs. Trust me, I’ve been there – trying to get my cat, Whiskers, to do something other than glare at me with disdain was no easy feat, but the results were well worth it.

Experts like Dr. Bethany Hsia emphasize that cats can be trained using positive reinforcement techniques. My cat has learned lots of tricks like: Sit, high five, come when called, spin, and more. With a little patience and a lot of treats, you can teach your cat some pretty awesome tricks.

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Tricks to Teach Your Cat

Before we get fancy, let’s start with some basic tricks to teach your cat. These are the foundation for everything else, and believe it or not, cats can actually learn these fairly quickly – especially if there’s food involved. (I mean, who wouldn’t work for snacks?)

1. Sit

One of the first tricks to teach your cat is the “sit” command. I remember trying to teach Whiskers this one – it took a few days, but once she realized she’d get a treat every time her butt hit the floor, she was all in. Hold a treat above your cat’s head and move it slowly backward. As their head follows the treat, their bottom will naturally lower. Boom, they’re sitting! Give them the treat and shower them with praise.

Repeat this process a few times a day until your cat masters the command.

2. High Five

Who says only dogs can give high fives? This is one of the coolest tricks to teach your cat because it’s simple and super fun. Start by getting your cat to sit. Hold a treat in your hand, let your cat see it, then gently tap one of their paws while saying “high five.”

When they lift their paw to your hand, give them the treat. Soon enough, your cat will be giving high fives like a pro. I still can’t get enough of how smug Whiskers looks after she nails this one!

3. Come When Called

Here’s a trick to teach your cat that’s actually useful – getting them to come when called. Honestly, this one is a lifesaver when it’s time to herd them inside after they’ve had their fill of backyard adventures. Start by calling your cat’s name in a happy, excited tone. When they come to you, reward them with a treat.

Do this consistently, and before you know it, your cat will come running every time you call their name.

Easy Tricks to Teach Your Cat

Ready for the next level? These are easy tricks to teach your cat that won’t take much time or effort but will definitely add some fun to your daily interactions. Even Whiskers, with her independent streak, picked these up pretty quickly.

Read Also: Easiest Cool Tricks to Teach Your Cat

4. Shake Hands

Teaching your cat to shake hands is one of those easy tricks to teach your cat that never fails to impress. Get your cat to sit first, then gently lift one of their paws while saying “shake.” Reward them with a treat as soon as their paw touches your hand. After a few tries, your cat will start to offer their paw on command.

It’s a classy trick, and let’s be real. It never gets old to see a cat shake hands.

5. Spin

Spinning in a circle is another easy trick to teach your cat. Hold a treat in front of their nose and slowly move it in a circle. Your cat will follow the treat, completing the circle. Once they’ve done a full spin, say “spin” and give them the treat. Before long, your cat will be spinning like a ballerina.

I have to say, watching Whiskers spin is like watching a fuzzy tornado – adorable and slightly ridiculous at the same time.

6. Touch My Hand

This trick is straightforward and perfect for beginners. Hold out your hand and say “touch.” When your cat taps your hand with their nose or paw, give them a treat. It’s one of the easiest tricks to teach your cat and a great way to build communication and trust.

Whiskers picked this one up in no time, and now she uses it to demand treats whenever she wants. Talk about training your human!

Cool Tricks to Teach Your Cat

Now, if you really want to show off, these cool tricks to teach your cat will take your feline friend’s skills to the next level. They might take a bit more time to master, but the payoff is worth it. And let’s be honest, who doesn’t want to be that person with the cat who can do cool tricks?

7. Jump Through a Hoop

Here’s one of the coolest tricks to teach your cat – jumping through a hoop. Start with a small hoop close to the ground. Lure your cat through the hoop with a treat, and when they go through, give them the treat and praise. Gradually raise the hoop as your cat gets more comfortable.

It took a while for Whiskers to figure out she wasn’t supposed to walk around the hoop, but once she did, she was a total acrobat.

8. Fetch

Yes, cats can learn to fetch too! Start with a toy your cat loves. Toss it a short distance, and when they go to grab it, call them back. Reward them with a treat when they bring the toy to you.

This is one of those cool tricks to teach your cat that’s bound to impress your friends. Whiskers still has her moments where she decides the game is over before I do, but hey, progress is progress!

9. Walk on a Leash

Walking on a leash isn’t just for dogs anymore. Start by getting your cat used to a harness indoors. Once they’re comfortable, attach a leash and let them explore the house while you guide them. After they’re confident, try taking them for short walks outside.

It’s one of the coolest tricks to teach your cat, and let me tell you – nothing turns heads in the neighborhood like a cat on a leash. Just be prepared for some judgmental stares from Whiskers if she’s not in the mood.

Best Tricks to Teach Your Cat

Finally, let’s talk about the best tricks to teach your cat. These are the ones that will make your cat the star of the show, and they’re as practical as they are impressive. I mean, who wouldn’t want a cat that can ring a bell for attention or jump on command?

10. Ring a Bell

Teaching your cat to ring a bell is one of the best tricks to teach your cat, especially if you want to add a bit of communication to your relationship. Place a small bell on the floor and encourage your cat to tap it with their paw. Each time they ring the bell, reward them with a treat.

Eventually, your cat will learn to ring the bell whenever they want something – whether that’s food, attention, or just to mess with you. Whiskers, of course, uses this trick to demand snacks at all hours, but it’s hard not to be impressed.

11. Jump on Command

Jumping on command is one of the best tricks to teach your cat, and it’s also a great way to keep them active. Use a treat to lure your cat onto a specific spot, like a stool or chair. Say “jump” as they leap up, and reward them when they land.

Whiskers loves this one – mostly because it means she gets to jump up to her favorite perch in the house, but hey, whatever works!

12. Use the Toilet

Yep, you read that right – one of the best tricks to teach your cat is how to use the toilet! This trick requires patience and a special cat toilet training kit. Gradually transition your cat from using the litter box to using the toilet by moving their litter box closer to the toilet, then onto the toilet seat itself.

With persistence, your cat will master this impressive and practical trick. Whiskers and I are still working on this one – I’ll keep you posted on our progress, but let’s just say it’s a work in progress.

13. Opening Doors

Last but not least, teaching your cat to open doors is the ultimate trick. Start by showing your cat how to push a door handle or pull on a string attached to a door. Reward them each time they make progress.

This one takes time, but once your cat masters it, they’ll be unstoppable (literally). Whiskers hasn’t quite figured out how to use this trick for good – she mostly just lets herself into rooms she’s not supposed to be in – but it’s definitely one of the best tricks to teach your cat.

Fun Tricks to Teach Your Cat

If you’re looking to add some extra fun to your cat’s routine, these tricks might be the perfect way to stimulate their curious minds:

14. Crawl

To teach your cat to crawl, start by holding a treat just in front of their nose and lowering it to the ground. Slowly pull the treat away, encouraging your cat to move forward while keeping their belly close to the floor. Reward them when they take even a small movement in the crawling position. Gradually increase the distance they crawl before giving the treat, always rewarding progress.

15. Play Dead

To train your cat to play dead, start by getting your cat to lie down. Once they are in position, use a treat to guide them onto their side, gently rolling them over. You can introduce a verbal cue like “Bang!” or “Play dead” as you perform this action. Once they are lying on their side, reward them with a treat. Repeat until they associate the command with lying on their side.

16. Hide and Seek

For a fun game of hide and seek, start by getting your cat’s attention with a treat or toy, then hide behind a corner or piece of furniture. Call your cat or use their name to encourage them to find you. When they successfully locate you, give them a treat as a reward. Over time, you can increase the complexity of your hiding spots.

17. Knock Over Objects

To teach your cat to knock over objects, place a small, lightweight item (such as a plastic cup) in front of them. Use a treat to encourage your cat to bat at the object. As soon as your cat knocks the object over, reward them with a treat. You can introduce a verbal cue, such as “Knock it over,” once they start to understand the behavior.

18. Push a Button

Training your cat to push a button can be done by first introducing them to the button (such as a doorbell or toy button). Hold a treat behind the button and encourage your cat to reach out with their paw to touch it. As soon as they press the button, reward them with the treat. Repeat this and gradually add a verbal command like “Push” as they learn the action.

19. Open a Cabinet

To teach your cat to open a cabinet, start by showing them a partially opened door. Dangle a treat or toy behind the cabinet door to entice them to paw at it. Once they make contact with the door and begin pulling it open, reward them immediately. Over time, you can close the door slightly more until they are able to fully open it on their own.

20. Walk in a Figure 8

To train your cat to walk in a figure 8, hold a treat in each hand. Position yourself so that your legs are spread wide enough for your cat to walk between them. Lure your cat to walk in a figure 8 pattern around your legs by moving the treats alternately through each side. Reward them when they complete the full figure 8.

21. Ring a Doorbell

To teach your cat to ring a doorbell, use a bell with a button they can easily press with their paw. Begin by showing them the button and holding a treat just above it to entice them to reach out and press the bell. As soon as they press it and the bell rings, reward them with the treat. Consistency and repetition will help them learn the behavior.

22. Walk Backward

Training your cat to walk backward starts by positioning them facing a wall or obstacle. Gently guide them with a treat, encouraging them to take small steps backward. Reward them as soon as they step back, and use a command like “Back” to reinforce the behavior. Slowly increase the number of steps they take before giving the treat.

23. Close a Door

To teach your cat to close a door, you’ll need a door that is slightly ajar. Use a treat or toy to lure your cat’s paw toward the door. When they touch or push it closed, immediately reward them. Start with a light door, and as they get better, you can introduce heavier doors or more complex actions.

24. Carry an Object

To teach your cat to carry an object, start with something lightweight like a small plush toy. Encourage your cat to pick it up by placing treats near or inside the object. Once they pick it up in their mouth, offer them another treat as a reward. Over time, you can increase the duration they hold the object before rewarding them.

25. Roll Over

Training your cat to roll over begins by getting them into a lying-down position. Once they’re lying down, use a treat to guide their head toward their shoulder and then over their back. As their body follows the motion, they will naturally roll over. Reward them as soon as they complete the roll. Repeat this motion until they understand the command.

26. Lie Down

Teaching your cat to lie down is simple. Start by holding a treat close to their nose and slowly lowering it to the ground. As they follow the treat with their head, they will naturally lie down. Once their body touches the floor, reward them immediately. Use a verbal command like “Lie down” to pair the action with the words.

27. Wave

To teach your cat to wave, start by holding a treat slightly above their head. As they reach up to paw at the treat, give them the command “Wave” and reward them. Over time, you can increase the height of the treat or hold it slightly out of reach so they start to wave without touching you.

28. Stand on Hind Legs

To get your cat to stand on their hind legs, hold a treat just above their head so they have to reach up for it. As they rise onto their hind legs to grab the treat, give them a verbal cue like “Stand” and reward them. Repeat this process, gradually increasing the time they stay standing before rewarding them.

29. Touch a Target

Teaching your cat to touch a target is a useful skill for directing them to specific places. Use a stick or small target (like a post-it note) and hold it in front of them. When they reach out with their paw or nose to touch the target, immediately give them a treat. Over time, add a verbal command like “Touch” to associate the action with the cue.

30. Sit Pretty

To teach your cat to sit pretty, start by getting them into a normal sitting position and holding a treat just above their head, slightly out of reach. As they reach for the treat, they’ll naturally lift their front paws and sit up on their hind legs. As soon as they do this, reward them with the treat and praise.

At first, your cat might only hold the position for a second, but with practice, they’ll gain balance and strength. Gradually increase the time they stay in the position before rewarding them, and introduce a cue like “Sit pretty” or “Beg” once they consistently perform the trick.

Conclusion

So, there you have it – 30 tricks to teach your cat, from easy tricks to teach your cat like “sit” and “shake hands,” to cool tricks to teach your cat like “jump through a hoop” and “fetch,” all the way to the best tricks to teach your cat like ringing a bell and using the toilet. Training your cat isn’t just about the tricks, though – it’s about building a stronger bond with your feline friend and giving them some mental and physical exercise.

It doesn’t matter if your cat is a quick learner like Whiskers (when she wants to be) or takes a bit more time, remember that the key is patience, consistency, and a lot of treats. Happy training!