Most people assume cats are impossible to train. You’ve probably heard it a hundred times – “cats do what they want” or “you can’t teach a cat tricks.” Honestly? That’s one of the biggest myths in the pet world. Cats are sharp, curious, and more motivated than you’d think, especially when there’s a tasty treat involved.
The truth is, your cat might be far more capable than you’ve ever given them credit for. Cats are very intelligent creatures, and with a little patience and the right approach, you can have your feline friend doing all sorts of fun behaviors in no time. Whether you’re looking to bond more deeply with your pet or you simply want to drop some jaws at your next dinner party, these eight tricks will absolutely do the trick. Let’s dive in.
1. Sit – The Foundation of Everything
If you’ve never trained a cat before, sit is the perfect place to start. It’s simple, it’s quick to teach, and it opens the door to nearly every other trick on this list. Think of it like teaching a child the alphabet before they can read a book.
If you’ve never tried training your cat before, teaching them to sit is a simple starting point. Get your cat’s attention by showing them you have some of their favorite food, then hold it a few inches above their head, which will prompt them to sit so they can get a better look at what you have in your hand. Once they sit, reward them immediately.
If you aren’t sure your cat will do it, spend more time capturing the sit with the clicker before pairing a verbal signal with the action. If you pair the word “Sit” with the cat’s movement into the position, they will learn the verbal cue’s meaning. With enough practice, you should be able to say “Sit,” and your cat will know what to do.
Getting your cat to perform a trick like sit can be done in just 2 or 3 sessions. That’s honestly faster than some dogs learn it. Be consistent, keep it short, and celebrate every tiny win.
2. Come When Called – More Impressive Than It Sounds
Here’s the thing – dog owners take this one for granted. For cat owners, getting your feline to actually come when you call their name feels like a miracle. One of the easiest and most valuable tricks to teach your cat is to come when called. While doggy pet parents may not think this is much of a trick, anybody with a feline will know getting your cat to come when called is no easy feat.
Pick a word such as “here” or “come” followed by your cat’s name. Sit or stand next to your cat and say your chosen word. Click and offer a reward if she looks at you. Take one step farther away and say your chosen word. Click and offer a reward if she approaches. Gradually increase the distance. It’s essentially a game of patience and trust.
Training your cat to come when called can be beneficial, especially if you have an outdoor cat who’s prone to disappearing. However, successfully training your cat to come when called can depend on your cat’s independence and personality. Some cats respond in days; others take a few weeks. Stay patient and you’ll get there.
3. High Five – The Ultimate Party Trick
Want to absolutely stun your friends? Teach your cat to high five. Few things are more unexpectedly delightful than a cat raising their little paw on command. I think it’s one of those tricks that never gets old, no matter how many times you’ve seen it.
Get your kitty to sit in front of you. Use a treat your cat enjoys and hold it out in front of you at your cat’s elbow or shoulder height. Your cat should reach the paw out to touch the treat. Reinforce any paw movement. Even if small, you can gradually increase your criteria or the height of the treat. When your cat’s paw touches the treat, give the kitty the treat as a reward while saying “high five.”
Repeat this process, and once your cat starts to lift their paw consistently, you can begin to add the cue word “high five.” Keep practicing until your cat lifts their paw to touch your hand on command. Be sure to reward and praise them each time. It won’t take long before your cat is high-fiving like a little celebrity.
4. Shake Hands – Gentleman (or Lady) of the House
There’s something ridiculously charming about a cat extending their paw for a formal handshake. Training your cat to shake hands isn’t as tough as it sounds, and you’re sure to impress your fellow pet parents once your cat masters this skill. It’s one of those tricks that makes your cat look almost absurdly dignified.
One of the best training methods for this trick is to get your cat to sit. Then, while they’re focused on you, tell them the command “give paw” and then hold their paw lightly for a few seconds. Then, reward your cat with a treat before repeating until your cat gets the gist.
As this training method requires you to grab your cat’s paw, you’ll want to ensure they’re in the right mood for a training session; otherwise, your tiny tiger might react badly. Always read your cat’s energy before a session. A relaxed, curious cat is a trainable cat. Trying to force it when they’re grumpy? That’s a one-way ticket to scratches.
5. Lie Down – Calm, Cool, and Collected
Once your cat has mastered sitting, lie down is your natural next step. Think of it like going from chapter one to chapter two of the same book – the groundwork is already there. Another trick that’s easy to teach your cat once they know “sit” is to lie down. Transitioning from one pose to another is much easier than teaching your cat to lie down from scratch.
With a treat in hand, gesture downwards below your cat’s head. Use the command “lie down,” and if they move downwards or crouch, give them the treat. Then, slowly over time, you can encourage them to lie down properly. Reward every small movement in the right direction – even a slight lean counts as progress.
This trick can actually be practical. If you ever need to clip your cat’s nails or apply medication to their ears or eyes, having a cat that reliably lies down on command is genuinely useful. It’s not just a party trick – it’s a life skill for both of you. Honestly, that’s a win-win.
6. Spin – The Showstopper Move
Let’s be real, nothing gets a reaction from visitors quite like watching a cat spin in a circle on command. It looks like pure magic, especially because it’s so unexpected. It’s a tough one to teach them, but it’s also quite rewarding, and certainly a party trick that will impress any guest.
To teach your cat to spin, start by getting them to follow a treat that you’re holding in your hand. Once they’re following the treat, slowly start moving your hand in a circular motion. As they continue to follow the treat, they’ll start to spin around. Once they’re spinning, use your clicker to “click” and then give them the treat and praise them.
Go slow so your cat has a chance to follow the treat. If you are too fast with your movements, your kitty will simply turn the other way trying to catch the treat. You can use your preferred verbal command while doing this, but “spin” is a great one. Keep sessions short and celebrate every halfway rotation as progress. The full spin will come naturally in time.
7. Jump Through a Hoop – Yes, Really
This one sounds like something you’d only see in a circus, but I promise you – your regular house cat can absolutely learn this. Cats are more agile than dogs, so it can be even easier to teach them to jump through hoops than it is for dogs. That’s right, your cat might actually outshine the family dog on this one.
Get a cat treat and lure them by having them follow your hand. Place the hoop between them and the treat so they understand they must jump through it to get the food. Once they jump through the hoop, give them the treat, plenty of praise, and click the clicker. Repeat until your cat understands what you want them to do and jumps through the hoop every time.
Hold a hoop close to the ground and lure your cat through with a treat. Gradually raise the hoop as your cat becomes more confident. Start so low it barely requires a lift of the paw, then inch it up over days and weeks. Agility tricks like this keep cats physically active and mentally engaged, reducing boredom-related behaviors. So you’re not just impressing guests – you’re genuinely enriching your cat’s life.
8. Play Dead – The Grand Finale
Save this one for last, because it is genuinely the crowd-pleaser of all cat tricks. The moment your cat dramatically flops onto their side at the sound of your “bang!” finger gun, people absolutely lose it. It’s the kind of trick that makes guests ask, “Wait, did your cat just…?” Yes. Yes they did.
To teach your cat to play dead, start by getting them to lie down on their side. Then, wait for them to roll over onto their back. Once they’re on their back, give them a treat and praise them for a job well done. It helps to already have the “lie down” command in your cat’s repertoire before attempting this one.
One of the more complex tricks on this list, this is a multi-step ordeal. The first order of business is being able to teach your cat to lie down. Build on each step slowly, rewarding your cat at every phase of the action. Think of it like assembling a puzzle – each piece connects to the next, and the full picture only appears once they’re all in place.
Conclusion: Your Cat Is Smarter Than You Think
Here’s the big takeaway: your cat is not some untrainable, aloof mystery creature. Cats are often seen as independent and stubborn, but with the right techniques, they can be trained just as effectively as dogs. While cats have a reputation for doing things on their own terms, they are highly intelligent and capable of learning commands when training involves positive reinforcement.
Working one-on-one with your cat on a few simple commands can be a mutually rewarding experience that strengthens the bond you have with your cat. Cat training provides your cat with mental and physical stimulation, both of which can boost her overall health and wellbeing. That’s not a small thing. A mentally stimulated cat is a happier, calmer, and healthier companion.
Start with just one trick. Master it. Then build. You’ll be genuinely amazed at what your cat is capable of when you meet them with patience, consistency, and a pocket full of treats. The only question left is – which trick are you teaching first?
