This is just a cute and hilarious video of our cats performing their tricks. You’ll see them do well and then we roll into complete chaos. Just fun and inspirational. Training increases confidence and is a great way to have fun with your cats and build a bond! Give it a try!
clicker training cats
Food Rewards Suitable for Training and Medicating
Cats are trainable and can be quite easy to medicate. It is all about finding something that motivates them to make it worth their while. The key to this being successful is keeping the reward novel; do not burn them out on it. Humans struggle with this part. Be stingy with your rewards and before you know it your cat will be doing all kinds of tricks like sit, hi-five, and even riding a skateboard! Not to mention eating their pills willingly! That's right, just take a look at the photos below to see how my cats swarm me at meds time.
Meats:
Canned cat food-generally something different than you offer each day
Hill’s a/d, Royal Canin Recovery, Purina CN (these Rx diets are ultra hi-calorie and should only be used for medicating & positive reinforcement)
Single ingredient, plain meat human baby food (ham, chicken, beef, turkey) NO onions! Or try Ciao Churu purees (essentially baby food made just for cats) available in a variety of different flavors.
Broths-chicken and beef broth (low/no sodium), tuna, oyster or clam juice
Deli meat, boiled chicken, sardines, salmon, SPAM! (yes, Spam)
Dairy: *most cats are lactose intolerant-use sparingly*
Milk, cream, heavy whipping cream, whipped cream cheese, yogurt, vanilla ice cream, cheese (any version), squeeze cheese, sour cream, and the like
Outside the box ideas:
Mini marshmallows (they make a great pill pocket)
Banana or Peanut Butter
Willow will do most anything for Hill's a/d, that's how she learned to skateboard!
The meds train at our house! They come to ME!
Lined up and waiting. My service is apparently slow.
Ever think your cats would be eager for pills?
Traditional cat treats:
Freeze dried meat treats (Purebites-chicken & turkey or Halo’s Liv-a-littles)
Greenie’s dental treats or Greenie’s Smartbites
Temptations, Pounce, Whisker Lickin’s, Party Mix (considered junk food and a last resort for sick old seniors that need medications).
Any dry food other than their regular dry food can also be a treat.
*always check with your veterinarian first
Get them accustomed to the routine young, BEFORE they need daily meds.
Cats are trainable, but you gotta pay 'em!
Need More Help?
Watch my Medicating Tips and Tricks video!
Different cats.
Different personalities and ages.
All enthusiastic for meds time!
Willow clicker training at 5 months
This clip is an example of how well positive reinforcement can work to train your cats and kittens. Willow started young and she is very eager and focused, but older cats can learn new things too! In this video Willow: goes to mat, goes to stool, sits, sits up, spins, goes through a tunnel, rides a skateboard and hi-fives! (And is precious, but that is a given!)
Soren clicker training at 5 months
Soren’s clicker training performance at just 5 months of age! He does everything just as well as Willow but slower and with slightly less enthusiasm. He is just an easy going guy! It is interesting to see their differences. Do not be discouraged, they are all individuals!
Clicker training hi-five to a BUNCH of cats!
This clip is from the early days. Please note it is best to work with each cat individually. This is a little chaotic but also quite fun!
Training Your Cat to Accept Oral Medications
This video walks you through step-by-step instructions and proper pilling techniques for cats. By keeping training fun and positive you will see that the cats willingly participate and are actually eager to get their medications! Cats can be pilled and its easier than you think! No more wrapping them in towels, squishing them between your knees or yucky tasting concoctions disguised as “palatable”. Learn to pill your cat for their quality of life and yours!
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