treats
They're Different, Alright Anyone who’s been a long-time cat or dog owner knows that they are wired quite differently. Domesticated cats were originally bred to hunt vermin, so most of them are fairly independent and aren’t as obsessed with getting our attention and praise as dogs. Cats love treats because they taste great. Treats can be a great way to reinforce positive behaviour with your cat, whether it is a fun break between meals, a reward for behaving well, or even training. Yes, cats can be trained too, believe it or not!
Natural Balance Perfect Bites
30207 Salmon formula •$2.99 - 3 oz
try this PureBites
55209 Shrimp formula • from $2.99 0.28-0.85 oz
Just for Fun Cats are quite easy to please with treats, as long as they like the ingredients, the shape, and the taste you’re offering them. It’s actually quite a nice way to bond with your cat. You can even make a game out of it by tossing them around and watching your cat chase the treats down. Like anything, remember to treat them in moderation. Treats aren’t meant to be a regular meal replacement, and cats can become overweight if we overdo it without providing them enough exercise and a well-balanced diet.
Good Kitty Sometimes as part of our duties of good pet-parenting we need to engage in activities with our kitty that he may not like. This can include: nail trimming, brushing, ear cleaning, medicating, or teeth brushing. Treats can be a great way of reinforcing good behaviour after we have finished one of these activities. Don’t forget to do the required activity calmly and over time he will begin to associate these activities with the positive reinforcement of a treat. Even when you catch your cat doing something right, like using that scratching post instead of the carpet or your new sweater you forgot to hang up (whoops), a treat can be a great way of rewarding this good behaviour.
Yes, You CAN Train a Cat No kidding! But this requires a modified approach compared to dogs, and treats are a great tool when training your cat. Let’s use the example of getting your cat to sit on a chair. Cats get bored easily, so keep your training sessions relatively short. It’s also helpful to use a clicker or something that makes a clicking noise such as a pen, immediately when he has demonstrated the behaviour you’re looking for, followed by a treat. For training him to sit on a chair, train him in stages. Firstly, reward him just for jumping on the chair and giving you his attention when you’ve asked. Whatever command or action you use, just keep it simple and consistent for the action you are looking for him to demonstrate. For the second or third training session, challenge him to sit by holding the treat in front of him and slowly arc upwards so his nose follows you up and his rear starts to go down. Even if he doesn’t sit all the way down on the first or second try, still give him the treat. Get him to work towards sitting all the way down eventually.
When treats are used for the right reasons and under the right circumstances, they can be a great way to positively reinforce good pet behaviour, to reward them, or just to have some good fun. Choose the type and frequency of your treats with some care and you will find that this is one of many ways to get the most out of being a pet parent!
2012 fall Companion 15