Practical feline behaviour understanding cat behaviour and improving welfare

104 Chapter 7

directly necessary for our survival or well-being. But because money has become very
strongly associated with the things that we do need or want it has become equally
desirable.
For animals, irrelevant stimuli, especially sounds, can become associated with
primary reinforcers such as food and become just as desirable and, if used correctly,
can be a very effective training tool.

Box 7.1. Training rewards: what works best for cats.

Food treats

Food treats may not be sufficiently rewarding if the cat is not food orientated, not

hungry at the time of training or very limited in its food preferences.

If the cat does not appear interested in a food reward:

●●Try fresh cooked meat, cheese, or fish rather than dry kibble or dried treats (paste

or wet food can also be offered on a spoon).

●●Try food with a stronger smell.

●●Offer only very small pieces at a time.

●●Scattering tiny treats for the cat to find can sometimes make food more

interesting.

●●Vary the treats.

If the cat appears obsessed by the food, if he tries to grab it or shows greater interest

in the food and much less interest in interacting with the trainer or in performing the

desired behaviour:

●●Use a less appealing food e.g. dry kibble.

●●Place the treat in a pot, drop it onto the ground or give using tongs or on a long-

handled spoon to prevent the cat from biting or clawing at hands.

●●Use another form of training reward.

Stroking/grooming

●●Will not work as a reinforcer if the cat does not like to be touched, or will only occa-

sionally accept or enjoy being petted.

●●Can work well for cats that enjoy human interaction, especially cats that enjoy being

stroked and/or groomed.

●●The head and/or side of the face is usually where cats most like to be stroked (Ellis

et al., 2015).

●●Providing a brush or similar that the cat likes to rub against can work very well for

some cats.

Play

●●Playing a game with a wand-type toy can work well as a reward and reinforcer for a

young cat or an older cat that enjoys play.

●●Playing is not advisable to use as a reward if the desired behaviour requires that the

cat remains calm and relaxed.