How to Train a Bad Cat

Cats can be challenging pets. Sometimes it may seem your cat is stubbornly refusing to follow rules. Most cats are not trying to be "bad," even when they do things like pee in your clean laundry instead of in the litter box. If you can learn how cats think and behave, you can throw out training methods that don't work and get your cat to do what he is supposed to.

Instructions

    • 1

      Train your cat only when you are calm. After an incident involving bad cat behavior, your natural instinct may be to yell at the cat, stomp your feet at him, or slam the door while confining him to one room. Cats do not like loud noises and do not understand your words, only your tone of voice, so these behaviors will only teach her to be scared of you. You can give yourself a time-out by confining the cat to a bedroom or other room. Just make sure she has access to her food, water and litter box.

    • 2

      When your cat behaves the way you want her to, provide a positive experience for her by petting her or playing with her. Cats repeat behaviors that get them what they want or otherwise make them feel good, so it's important to reward your cat each time she repeats a positive behavior until you do not see the negative behavior anymore. For example, let your cat sit on your lap for a petting session right after she uses the litter box instead of the floor.

    • 3

      When your cat misbehaves, redirect him to the appropriate behavior without giving him any additional attention. If she squats to pee on the floor, put her in the litter box and then ignore her for a few minutes. Do not pet or play with her immediately after an incident, as these behaviors are highly rewarding for cats. You can also spray him with a water bottle or water gun immediately following a negative behavior. Cats dislike getting wet and will associate the bad behavior with the sensation of being hit with water. If your cat is social and enjoys people, try confining her to a room by herself on the other end of the house whenever she engages in unwanted behavior.

    • 4

      Watch your behavior around your cat if she continually engages in negative activity. For example, if your cat constantly claws the furniture, do you try to distract him when he does it by throwing a toy? If so, you are rewarding her with play every time she claws the furniture.

    • 5

      Take your cat to the vet and make sure there are no physical problems causing the behavior. Aggressive or destructive behavior can be a symptom of illness.