Yes, you can teach your old (or young) cat a new trick. It just takes patience and a little motivation. After teaching the first few commands, you’ll wonder why everyone doesn’t own performing cats.
The secret to teaching tricks? Rewards! Offer your cat rewards that are not filling and still inspire obedience. Turkey baby food (without onion powder) works well because it takes just a lick to get the point of the reward across, and it takes many licks to fill Kitty up. Or try pea-sized pieces of baked or deli turkey or chicken.
You’ll get the most cooperation from your cat if you train before dinner. If you free-feed, take away your cat’s food for a few hours before training time. If you treat with baby food, push on the dimple of the jar lid to signal that you’re getting ready to start training.
Keep training sessions short — only work for a few minutes and for no more than 10. Finally, don’t force your Kitty. Sometimes your cat may not be in the mood to perform. Praise your cat’s accomplishments and show it how much fun learning can be.
**For the full article, pick up the January issue of CAT FANCY.**
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