How to Discipline a Cat: Effective Techniques for Better Behavior

Cats are frequently known to jump on the counters, chew on wires, and scratch household items that are not designed to be scratched. Fortunately, it's possible to change a cat's behavior by rewarding good actions and gently disciplining bad ones. It's essential to discipline cats correctly to maintain a healthy relationship and avoid harming them.

Here are the do's and don'ts of how to discipline a cat the right way.

Don’t Compare Your Cat to a Dog

Cats differ from dogs and should not be expected to behave or interact like them. Cats are intelligent and possess both long-term and short-term memory, making them trainable. This also means they understand what behaviors they can repeat. This isn't spiteful behavior; they're simply following natural instincts.

Do Use Positive Reinforcement

Pets, like people, respond well to positive reinforcement, so cats remember when they receive something enjoyable. Most cats like attention, food, toys, or all three. Select a motivator to encourage desired behavior and offer positive reinforcement.

Whenever possible, offer this special item only during training for specific behavior. Reserving items for training increases their value and makes them more appealing. Use high-value treats like tuna, lickable wet food, or catnip toys.

Don’t Physically Reprimand Your Cat

Never discipline your cat through hitting, frightening, scruffing, or other negative methods. Physical punishment, such as spanking, hitting, or kicking, should never be done. Physical discipline is ineffective and may lead to disruptive or aggressive behavior.

Do Provide Alternatives for Bad Behavior

Provide alternatives for your cat's natural behaviors. If your cat "counter surfs," it's likely because they want to be up high. Offer a perch or a window sill bed at counter height and reward their use. Similarly, if your cat is fascinated by running water, consider getting a water fountain.

Don’t Scruff Your Cat 

Never scruff your cat. This is no longer recommended as a method of restraint or transport for adult cats. Scruffing is painful and when you cause a misbehaving cat pain, it will only further exacerbate an issue. It is also thought that what appears to be relaxation for some cats who are scruffed is actually fear paralysis.

Instead of scruffing, place a blanket over the cat and gently scoop them inside. This keeps both you and the cat safe, allowing for transport without stress or pain.

Do Use Pheromones 

Certain pheromones can be sprayed on an object or diffused into the area that you do not want your cat to scratch. These pheromones (like Feliway) signal to your cat that they have already "marked" the area and do not need to mark it again. Cats often mark territory by scratching. Providing a scratching post for them and placing treats or other rewards around the post will help deflect unwanted scratching as well.

Don’t Make Loud Noises

Avoid using spray bottles or noisy cans to punish or deter your cat. These methods only make your cat wary of you while you are present and may not stop the behavior when you're gone. It teaches your cat to fear you.

Do Use Double-Sided Tape or Aluminum Foil

Double-sided tape or aluminum foil can be placed on surfaces you don't want your cat on or scratching. Use museum putty to hold balls of crumpled aluminum foil along the edges of a cabinet or counter where your cat jumps up, or apply rows of double-sided tape to the area of the couch where your cat scratches the upholstery.

Be sure to provide positive alternatives, however, such as a nearby scratching post or a piece of cat furniture that allows your cat a spot for climbing and perching.

Don’t Engage With An Aggressive Cat

Do not respond with force to a cat that is showing aggression. It increases the aggression in the cat and reinforces that the cat should be wary around you. Do not attempt to pick up a cat that is showing aggression as this will typically increase aggressive behavior.

The safest and most effective thing to do is remove yourself for a few minutes and then if your cat is calm when you return reward them. Aggressive cats are typically scared or stressed out about something, so it is important to try to identify potential issues in a cat that is showing aggression towards people or other animals.

Do Use Motion Activated Air-Sprays

Place these devices around areas you do not want your cat to access. If the cat comes close, it will spray air and typically deter the cat from coming closer. This is another option that works well on kitchen counters or other areas where you don't want your cat jumping up or walking.

To have a spray or other deterrent be effective, it has to be deployed every single time the cat performs the behavior. First, your cat associates the negative with the counter or object, not you, and, second, it is present all the time, even if you are not there.

Don’t Yell 

Raising your voice and yelling at your cat isn’t helpful when it comes to disciplining them. They might get scared, stressed, or nervous, especially since they have sensitive hearing. They likely won’t understand why you’re being loud all of a sudden, so it isn’t effective at changing behaviors.

Do Say Something

Startle your cat with an "ouch" or another word to end any rough behavior. Then immediately remove yourself from the cat. Go into a room and shut the door. This teaches them that rough behavior means playtime or cuddles stop.

Don’t Rub Your Cat’s Nose in an Accident

Rubbing your cat’s nose in a spot they peed in or defecated on is not a good move at all. It frightens them, they don’t understand why you’re doing it to them, and it doesn’t resolve the underlying issue. 

When cats go to the bathroom outside the litter box, it might be a result of stress or anxiety, it might be because they aren’t feeling well and there’s a medical issue that needs to be treated by a vet, or it might be because their litter box is too dirty or too strongly scented with fragrance. If you have more than one cat, make sure there are enough litter boxes for all of them, and scoop them daily.

If you can’t figure out what’s going on to cause your cat to avoid the litter box, talk to your vet.  

Do Encourage and Train Good Behavior  

Believe it or not, techniques used to train dogs, such as positive reinforcement clicker training, also works well in cats! Rewarding positive behavior with treats, pets, or play gives your cat the good vibes they need to continue to exhibit this behavior and it strengthens the positive bond you have with your cat. 

Whenever possible, give treats, praise, and attention to your cat if they’re behaving nicely. If you notice them lying next to something they used to chew, reward them. If you notice them scratching the scratching pole instead of your sofa, reward them. Your cat will quickly learn the difference between good and bad behavior.

You can also use this type of positive reinforcement to teach your cat tricks, such as shaking hands, rolling over, or sitting up. Tricks aren't only for dogs! Many felines enjoy the extra attention and rewards of learning and performing simple tricks with their favorite humans.

Do Rule Out Medical Issues 

Sometimes, a medical issue might cause your cat to act out or develop distressing behaviors. If your cat suddenly develops troubling behaviors, it’s a good idea to schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. These behaviors include:

• Aggression or shyness in a cat that was formerly friendly
• Urinating inappropriately around the house
• Fighting with other household pets that the cat got along with previously
• Acting in a way that seems "off"

It may be that rather than being spiteful or difficult, your cat is suffering from an undiagnosed medical condition or ailment.