How to discipline a cat

Sudden crashes at 3am. Claws out on your favourite piece of furniture. And random zoomies during your Monday morning meetings. Cat behaviour can be a mystery.

Cats will be cats. That’s why we love them. But some misbehaviours can put them in danger. Or make hard to live together. So it’s important you know how to discipline your cat.

Learn more about common cat misbehaviours. Why your cat may be acting up. And how to keep it from being a problem.

Jumping on counters. And midnight zoomies across the bed. Our cats do a lot of things that could be considered ‘naughty’. But, whether naughty or nice, cat behaviour is never random. It always has a reason.

Even if it doesn't make sense to you, it makes sense to your cat. It comes down to our perception of what we consider ‘undesirable behaviour’. No matter what they did, it’s important to never physically punish your cat. The key is finding the root of the issue.

Common undesirable behaviours include:

• Jumping on counters.

• Chewing wires.

• Scratching carpets or furniture.

• Biting.

• Urinating or defecating outside the litter box.

• Being overactive at night.

• Too much vocalisation.

If your cat does these things, there are some easy fixes to correct the behaviour. But, if your cat’s behaviour looks more like:

• Constant or excessive grooming.

• Changes in eating and drinking habits.

• Eating objects.

• Sucking on soft fabrics.

• Hiding.

• Crying while in the litter tray.

• Hissing, spitting or aggression.

There might be an underlying problem they can’t tell you about. If your cat shows any signs of the above, or has a sudden change in behaviour, speak to your vet to check for health problems.

It's likely that your cat's 'naughty' behaviour is linked to something in the house. A new cat in the family. A scratching post in an inaccessible area. A dirty litter box. All issues that might cause ‘bad’ behaviour.

But that means the issue can be fixed easily.

It’s never fun to find stray poop on the floor. Or stepping in a puddle that definitely wasn’t there before. There are a couple of reasons why your cat might suddenly be missing the litter tray.

1. The litter tray is dirty. Cats are very clean animals – they spend most of their awake time grooming themselves – and a dirty litter tray can bother them. Keep their tray clean and change out the litter regularly.

2. An underlying health problem. If they have a UTI or kidney problems, or if they're constipated, they could be in pain when they try to use the litter tray. That could make them associate the area with that pain. And start to avoid it altogether. Take them to the vet right away, especially if you see them straining too hard or if they start to cry when doing their business. And give our Scoop Health litter a try. It monitors the pH of your cat’s urine and flags up issues as soon as they appear.

Are torn up couches and armchairs under attack all too familiar? Scratching is a natural behaviour. And if they don’t have an accessible place to set their claws, your sofa is the new scratching post. Congrats. Although you may not feel like celebrating.

Cats scratch to exercise their muscles, sharpen their claws, and mark their territory. By ensuring there are accessible areas for them to unleash this urge, your furniture will be safe.

Pro tip: put some treats or spritz some catnip spray around the scratching post to encourage your cat to use it more.

Pent up energy can cause havoc in the evening. Nobody wants a cat doing zoomies when they’re trying to sleep. It’s probably time to play with your cat more. Learning how to play with your cat properly is vital to burning off that excess energy and reclaiming your sleep schedule.

Cats need an outlet to release their energy. And they have an instinctive need to hunt. Playing with them ticks both boxes. And helps them bond with you. It's a win-win.

You might be tempted to punish your cat to stop them misbehaving. But the truth is, it won’t work. Instead, it’s all about finding the root of the behavioural problem.

Unlike dogs, who learn to recognise vocal cues and associate sounds with behaviour, cats don't respond very well to this method. It just doesn't work. Your cat will probably just think you’re complaining about anything but them.

Shouting at your cat can also have an adverse effect. Loud noises, like shouting or shaking something at them, is more likely to stress them out. This can lead to hostility, fear, or even more behaviour problems.

No. Using a spray bottle on your cat doesn’t work either. Your cat won't see the spray bottle as the negative association. You'll become the negative association.

Not only will you damage your relationship, but you may start to see signs of anxiety or aggression. This will be a huge setback for you both. And when you're not present, the spray bottle isn't either. Your cat will keep up the behaviour you're trying to dampen.

Also, do we really want to spray the ones we love? Nobody wants to be sprayed with water. So just don't bother. Physically punishing your cat won't do anything.

You can teach your cat ‘no’ with a 'yes.' Disciplining a cat is all about positive reinforcement, instead of punishment. The goal? Your cat associates good behaviour with something positive and rewarding, such as extra playtime or treats.

Consistency is key to stopping bad behaviour from recurring. Cats have long-term and short-term memories. So they respond well to consistent positive reinforcement.

Keep rewarding good behaviour and redirect or ignore bad behaviour. For example, if you see your cat eating your favourite plant, call their name, and reward them with one of KatKin's tasty Nibbles treats when they stop. And make sure to move the plant out of paw’s reach.

You'll see a decline in naughty behaviour. And you'll become closer. And build a strong bond.

From spray bottles to double sided sticky tape, many tools are touted as THE answer to bad behaviour. So what are you meant to use?

Here are some easy do's and don'ts for discouraging naughty cats:

• Do: Withdraw and walk away. 

  Mother cats correct behaviour by hissing or nipping at their kittens. But you can't exactly bite your cat back. Instead, if your cat is biting a bit too hard during playtime, simply withdraw. Walk away. And re-engage later. They'll soon learn that biting = no fun.

• Don't: Yell in a loud voice or spray your cat with water. 

• Do: Redirect their attention.

  Scratching the sofa? Gently move your cat to the correct scratching area to show them where to go. If you’re finding that they aren’t using a vertical cat tree, try a horizontal scratch mat instead.

• Don't: Physically discipline your cat, pick them up by their scruff or spray them with water. 

• Do: Use humane management tools. 

  Cats hate sticky surfaces. So double sided sticky tape on the sofa arm they love to scratch works a treat. Aluminium foil on the counter can stop jumping. Motion activated air sprays or cat-friendly barriers can stop your cat from entering certain areas too. A perch by a window can be another remedy to counter jumping.  

  
  The options are endless. Set healthy boundaries by cutting your cat off from certain areas of the house.

• Don't: Lock your cat in rooms they can't get out of.

• Do: Show patience, love, and empathy. 

  You and your cat don't speak the same language. Patience is key. Trial and error can bring you a deeper level of understanding. You’re both learning about each other.

Overall, the number 1 rule when disciplining a cat is to reward all the good behaviour. Positive reinforcement is key. When they choose the scratch post over your sofa. When they sit politely instead of jumping on the counter. And for just when they’re looking particularly cute. Reward all that good behaviour with our irresistible freeze-dried cat treats. Made from 100% human-quality meat and freeze-dried to preserve all the goodness and flavour. Your cat will be more than happy to stop scratching the carpet to have a taste.