Demanding cat

[skKi]

Does anyone have experience successfully training a cat manners? I'm sorry if this sounds silly, but my cat is so incredibly demanding when it comes to his meals, it drives me nuts. He darts around shrieking and yowling at me if he suspects it's time to eat, continually jumping on and off the mantle (he's fed on a mantle so the dogs don't take his food) until I put his food down where he will nearly knock the bowl from my hands in order to get it faster.

On one hand, I'm pumped to have a cat that loves eating. His manners, however, are dispicable.

I don't know how to train cats. Is it much different from dogs? Clearly he is highly food motivated, so I could use that to my advantage I'd imagine.

How would you go about training a cat to wait patiently and quietly for food?

[Dekka]

You can train him the exact same way you train a dog.

What DO you want him to do when its food time? Sit on the mantle and wait? If so teach him to jump up and sit stay on the mantle. Then make him sit stay on the mantle for his dinner.. then make him sit stay and be quiet on the mantle to wait for his dinner.

[skKi]

Thank you. I guess it makes sense that it would be the same to train a cat. Since I'd be doing this in steps and it will likely take some time to teach him, what should I be doing to feed him in the meantime so as not to reinforce the unwanted behaviour?

[noludoru]

You can stand still with the food bowl in hand and wait until he gets tired of making a fuss. When he stops freaking out - it may take a few minutes or even longer - put the bowl down quickly and walk away.

Mine used to mill around my feet, paw me, and scream/meow. I taught them all 'sit' and just stood there with threee bowls of food until EVERYONE was calm. It took a while, but they finally got it. It should be easier with one.

[Maxy24]

I agree with the above posters, either actually train a behavior you want like a sit or simply ignore until there is a good 60 second break in the begging and then tell the kitty "dinner time" and go get the food.

I also wanted to add that if you are not already feeding multiple meals a day, to split it into 2 or 3 feedings so she does not get starving between meals and might be able to better contain herself.

[skKi]

Thanks guys.

I tried waiting him out once, but I think I need to set more time aside. I stood with his bowl, he did his spazzing thing then stopped after about 3 minutes. As soon as I moved to put the bowl down, he started again, so I pulled it away and waited. That continued close to 35 minutes, at which point I needed to go somewhere. The behaviour has been reinforced his whole life I'm guessing (I've had him for a year, he's nearly 9 now), so I guess I need to set a pretty decent chunk of time aside to devote to training him for the first while.

He eats twice a day, once before I go to work, and once more when I get home. Perhaps I can split that into 3 meals to make it a little easier on him.

I will be trying this again tonight!

[noludoru]

I didn't mean that to be her solution - just the fix for the meantime until kitty knows the drill.

[skittledoo]

Good thread. I've got the same issue... except now that I have two cats (still have the foster one), it's gotten worse because the foster cat always acts like he's starving which instigates Goober and now Goober is even worse about it...

[Maxy24]

Neko does this, I don't care though, they eat at 6:00 am and 6:00 pm and they are waiting until that time and screaming or not they'll get the food. Morning is a little more difficult as Neko actually gets physical, he bites and pokes and walks on my face. So he gets pushed off the bed and after a few times stops and waits. Unfortunately I'm like 60% asleep so my brain is not quite functioning and I don't think to throw him off I just huddle under the blanket in self defense mode until I'm conscious enough to remember I can toss him off the bed.

[carljohnson]

Cats will come when you call them, and some will play fetch.

Cats must be socialized, from the earliest possible age, for the best results. It takes patience. LOTS of patience.

Earning their trust is the first hurdle!

They are very funny, friendly, intelligent, and affectionate. Observe them. Watch to see how they operate, and how their minds work.

It is true that cats do not have the same rabid desire to please as dogs do. But they can be trained! Use treats and affection.

They learn what you approve of, and what you don't. Some you simply have to speak to severely (or hiss at them!), others won't stop naughty behavior until you are within arms-reach :-))

A squirt bottle is a good idea for deterring undesirable behavior. All I have to do is pick mine up, and the cats FLY! :-))


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