How to clicker train your cat

Discover more about clicker training – an effective and kind way to train your cat.

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You might have heard about how effective clicker training can be for dogs – but it’s also a great training technique for cats!

Positive reinforcement, also known as rewards-based training, can be used to teach your cat all kinds of behaviours, from coming when called to jumping into their cat carrier when it’s time to visit the vet.

Before we get into how to clicker train a cat, here are answers to some commonly asked questions about this technique.

What is clicker training?

Clicker training works by making a distinct sound – using a clicker – which your cat starts to associate with the reward they receive when carrying out a specific behaviour.

Cat behaviourist and Petplan expert, Nicky Trevorrow, says: “The clicker acts as a precise marker for the behaviour you want, so having spot-on timing and clicking at the right moment is key.”

You can buy clickers at most pet stores or online. Some cat owners don’t use a clicker but instead make a noise with their tongues, the top of a ballpoint pen or use a clicker app instead.

What are the best treats to use for clicker training?

When introducing clicker training, it’s important to use a high-value treat that your cat really loves. Small pieces of cooked chicken, their favourite treat, or something homemade will all work well.

Remember to account for the calories in these treats, and reduce your cat’s main meal accordingly.

What are the benefits of clicker training?

Your cat’s predatory instincts mean they’re hardwired to find ‘working for’ their food enjoyable. Even if their food bowl is full, they’re likely to enjoy stalking their toys or chasing a leaf in the garden.

That means they find clicker training naturally rewarding because they’re using their brain to work for food – much like their ancestors did when hunting for food.

“Clicker training is a great form of mental stimulation,” says Nicky. “I love showcasing how clever cats really are, as most people seem surprised that you can train a cat. It’s important to work at the individual cat’s pace to avoid boredom or frustration and keep it fun for all. My cat's excited when he sees the clicker and knows we’re about to have a training session.”

Clicker training can also improve the bond between you and your cat, acting as an enrichment activity you can both enjoy. Plus, the mental stimulation keeps your cat’s brain active and engaged.

It can also make certain situations less stressful. If your cat dislikes their carrier or gets very anxious about travelling in the car or to the vet, clicker training can help to reduce your cat’s stress during these situations.

How to clicker train a cat

Firstly, your cat needs to learn what the clicker means. “Sit with your cat and don’t reward anything in particular,” says Nicky. “Simply click the clicker with one hand and then give your cat a treat within a second of the click, so that they make the connection that ‘click means treat’.

“Keep an eye out for any behaviours that show your cat is expecting a treat, such as hearing the click and looking at the floor. It helps to film yourself with your cat as often animals tend to get it sooner than we realise!

“Once your cat understands that clicking means a treat is coming, you can move onto shaping a simple behaviour, such as coming when called.”

Tips for getting started with clicker training

1. Sit on the floor with the clicker in one hand and a treat in the other.
2. Make sure your cat is close by and call them over. When they come to you, press the clicker and reward them with a treat straight after the click.
3. Repeat two or three times a day, until your cat is coming consistently. Just like people, cats are all individuals and learn at different rates. Eventually, your cat will learn that the clicker means they’ve performed the desired behaviour, and they’ll also associate it with the reward. Although, once your cat responds to the clicker, you can stop rewarding with a treat!
4. Once your cat has mastered steps 1-3, add a specific verbal command, so they associate this with the desired behaviour (in this case, coming when called).
5. Start calling your cat from further away. Work your way up from a few feet away, to calling them from another room or the garden.
6. Once your cat has mastered one behaviour, you can start teaching them other commands. Try sit, stay, and high-five, for starters!

Before you begin, remember that you’ll need patience, treats, and an enthusiastic cat! To keep training fun, make sure sessions are short and sweet, and never longer than five minutes.

Clicker training top tips

• Keep training sessions short and enjoyable, stopping before your cat loses interest.
• Aim to end sessions when things are going well, so your cat only has good associations with the clicker.
• Finding the right treat for your cat is key, so if your cat doesn’t seem too interested, try experimenting with a few options until you find something they really love!
• If you’re new to clicker training, then try reading ‘Clicker training for cats’ by Karen Pryor, and ‘The Trainable Cat’ by John Bradshaw and Sarah Ellis.