Training your kitten

Your kitten learns in two different ways: it starts by imitating its mother’s actions and learning through new experiences and positive reinforcement. While kittens are more independent than puppies, it’s important to train them to adopt the right behaviour from an early age and learn the rules of sharing a home with other people and animals.

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It’s good for their physical and mental wellbeing

Building training into your kitten’s playtime helps them to make good use of all that extra energy and keeps them happy, active and healthy. Teaching your kitten new skills and helping them to hone their agility can also help to keep them mentally stimulated.

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It helps kittens to learn how to behave

Many kittens bite and scratch. Play can help them to understand which behaviours are acceptable and unacceptable, before their claws and teeth are fully developed.

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It makes them less anxious in new settings

From time to time, it may be necessary to clip your kitten’s claws, take them to a veterinarian or give them a pill. Training can help your kitten to adjust to these unfamiliar experiences and cope with new situations, so they stay calm and don’t react aggressively.

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It makes them feel at home

Training your kitten doesn’t have to mean teaching them tricks. It could mean simply teaching them to use a litter box, use a scratching post or even come when you call their name. All of these can make your pet feel at ease in the family home.

Maine Coon kitten sitting outside on a wooden table

Grey tabby kitten sat indoors next to a grey sofa

Grey tabby kitten lying down on a white sheet

How to train your kitten to recognize its name

Teaching your kitten to respond when you call their name is simpler than it sounds. These simple tips should prove useful.

Maine Coon kitten sitting indoors on a cat tree

Choose a short name without too many syllables. This will make it easier for your kitten to recognize
Call your kitten by their name for feeding or play, and repeat their name during the activity. This positive reinforcement will help your cat to recognize the name
Try not to repeat the name when punishing your kitten as this will give the name a negative connotation
Say your kitten’s name and then immediately give them a treat
Or say their name and roll them a paper ball
Kittens are often more responsive when they are hungry. So try these exercises before mealtime.

How to train your kitten to use a litter box

Most kittens learn the basics of house training by watching their mother. However, if you kitten doesn’t know how to use a litter box, it will be your job to show them what to do. House training your kitten before they get into bad habits can save them and you considerable anxiety and stress.

Grey and white kitten standing in a litter tray

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Separate, calm litter boxes

Place your kitten’s litter box in a quiet corner of your home. If you have other cats, make sure this box is separate.

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Use the same cat litter

Remember to use the type of litter your kitten is used to. If you’re not sure, you may need to try a few different varieties.

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Use after meals and sleep

Immediately after eating or sleeping, stand your kitten in the litter tray. Then, if your kitten allows you to, use one of its paws to scratch at the litter.

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Pay attention to body language

Make sure that you keep an eye on your kitten at other times. If they look like they need to go, simply stand them in their litter box.

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Avoid punishments

Make sure that you don't punish your kitten if they have an accident outside their litter box as this will create a negative association.

British Shorthair kitten standing in a litter tray

Tabby-kitten-standing-in-a-black-litter-tray

British-Shorthair-kitten-sitting-on-a-blanket-indoors

Why does my kitten not use their litter box?

There are a number of reasons why your kitten may not want to use their litter box. Here are some of the most common to watch out for:

Cleanliness

It’s important to clean your kitten’s litter box on a daily basis, remove strong odours and add fresh cat litter

Size

The litter box may be too small so your kitten is not comfortable using it

Location

If the litter box is in a noisy or busy place, or too close to food and drinking bowls, your kitten may be anxious about using it

Bad experience

It’s important not to watch or disturb your kitten while they are in the litter box to avoid creating a negative connection

How to train a kitten to use a scratching post

Kittens instinctively like to sharpen their claws. To help them do that without causing damage to furniture, it’s a good idea to invest in a scratching post and train your kitten to use it when they first come into your home.

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Attract them by smell

Your kitten has an incredibly keen sense of smell; in fact, it's up to 14 times better than humans. Spraying furniture with a citrus smell will encourage your kitten to stay away. Likewise, spraying a new scratching post with valerian or catnip will make them appear more attractive to a curious cat.

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Make scratching part of playtime

Putting your kitten’s favourite toys on the scratching post, dragging a feather teaser over the surface or attaching some soft tissue will all encourage them to use their claws constructively during playtime. This will also cement the location of the scratching post in their memory.

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Praise your kitten for scratching

The first time your kitten uses their claws on the scratching post, praise them and stroke them. Some impressionable kittens will associate the act of clawing with human affection and encouragement.

Small kitten playing with a cat tree indoors

Bengal kitten in a cat bed being stroked by owner

Why doesn’t my kitten use their scratching post?

Every kitten is different. So, if your pet is not using their scratching post, it could be because it's in the wrong location, or perhaps it doesn’t look or smell right.

The scratching post should always be placed where your kitten spends most of its time. You should also make a note of how your kitten likes to sharpen its claws off the post. Does it stretch up on its back legs? Or stretch out on the floor? This action could help you to choose a tall scratching tower or a long scratching matt to match.

Kitten socialization

Socialization should start as early as possible to avoid any unwanted behaviours and help them develop into confident, even-tempered adult cats. Find out how you can socialize your kitten.

Socializing your kitten