How to Teach Cats to Stay Out of Cat Traps

Cat traps are designed to contain felines by letting them in, but not out. Some folks use traps to collect stray cats in the neighborhood, while others trap cats to keep them off of their property. If your cat becomes trapped, it could be sent to an animal control shelter, or worse. Training your cat to stay away from traps often is a difficult process. There are a few ways that you can encourage your cat, however, to stay away from traps.

Things You'll Need

  • Traps
  • Leaves
  • Sticks
  • Bait
  • Water gun, squirt bottle or jar of coins
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Instructions

    • 1

      Obtain a trap from your local pet store or animal shelter. If possible, purchase a few different types so that your cat can become familiar with the varieties it may encounter.

    • 2

      Camouflage one of the traps with leaves and sticks. Many of those who place traps around their property cover the traps with natural debris in an effort to make them blend in so that the cat doesn't know it is entering the trap. Leave another trap uncovered so that your cat can get used to its appearance as well.

    • 3

      Place food that your cat may be interested in inside the trap as bait. Bait for traps can include fish, chicken, cat food, tuna and other meats.

    • 4

      Squirt your cat with a water bottle when it comes near the trap. Doing so will cause the cat to associate the unpleasant experience with going near the trap. You could also shake a jar of coins or create another loud noise.

    • 5

      Practice this technique as often as possible. You also could follow your cat around the neighborhood and implement the squirt bottle or loud noise when it goes near other traps. Eventually, the cat should stop entering the trap, since it will learn that the sight of the trap usually results in an unpleasant sound or sensation.