Key Takeaways 

What Is Positive Reinforcement Training? 

Cats have a reputation for being untrainable, but that's more myth than fact — they simply respond best to reward, not correction. The best cat treats make positive reinforcement training easy, encouraging the behaviours you want without any punishment. Here's how to get started, what to reward, and how to keep sessions ones that your cat actually wants to show up for. 

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At its heart, positive reinforcement cat training is beautifully simple: reward a behaviour you want, the moment it happens, and your cat becomes more likely to do it again. It works *with* a cat's natural motivation rather than against it — and it builds confidence instead of fear.  

Timing 

The reward needs to land within a second or two of the behaviour, or your cat won't connect the two. Reward too late and they'll think they're being treated for whatever they're doing *now* — which might be a yawn, a stretch, or wandering off. 

Marker signals 

A clicker or a consistent word (like a bright "yes!") pinpoints the exact right moment before the treat even arrives. The marker becomes a shortcut: "that's the thing that earned the reward." 

Why punishment doesn't work the same way 

Cats don't associate correction with behaviour the way they do with reward. Punishment tends to create fear or avoidance instead of learning — and a wary cat is the opposite of a trainable one. Keep it light, keep it positive, and let the best cat treats do the convincing. 

Getting Started: Setting Up for Training Success 

Good training is mostly good setup. Get the right healthy cat treats, the right environment, and the right session length, and you're most of the way there. Every cat treat you hand out should feel like an event — small, delicious, and reserved for moments that matter. 

Browse the full TEMPTATIONS™ cat treats range to find a high-value option your cat will go bonkers for. 

What to Reward: Everyday Behaviours Worth Reinforcing 

Before you attempt any fancy tricks, start with the behaviours that make everyday life smoother. Good cat treats are perfect for reinforcing the habits you actually want to see — and your cat gets to feel clever into the bargain. 

These are the foundations — and they're more useful than any trick. Recommended cat treats like TEMPTATIONS™ Classics are an ideal size and crunch for rewarding these everyday wins. 

Choosing the Right Treats for Training 

Training lives or dies on treat selection. The best cat treats for training are high-value, fast to eat, and appropriately sized for repeated use — so this is where treat-specific keywords naturally belong. (Pun fully intended: this is the part that really *treats* you.) 

Explore TEMPTATIONS™ MixUps for variety or try TEMPTATIONS™ Creamy Spoons — a lickable, creamy cat treat that's paw-some as a high-value reward for cats who need a little extra motivation. 

Training Techniques That Work 

Ready to move beyond "just use treats"? These three named techniques give your training real depth — and they're easier than they sound. 

Clicker training 

Pairing a distinct click sound with an instant treat builds a fast, precise communication tool for marking desired behaviour. The click says "yes, that!" and the treat says, "well done." 

Target training 

Teaching your cat to touch a stick or hand target is one of the easiest entry points — and it can be built into recall, agility, or trick training later. Present the target, mark the touch, reward. Repeat until purr-fect. 

Shaping 

Rewarding small steps toward a bigger behaviour (like sitting, then staying) breaks complex training into achievable stages. Celebrate the tiny wins — they're how the big ones happen. 

For target and clicker sessions, a crunchy, quick TEMPTATIONS™ MixUps treat keeps the momentum going. 

Troubleshooting Common Training Setbacks 

Training sometimes stalls — and that's completely normal. Here's how to get things moving again when your cat seems less than feline good about the whole enterprise. 

If your cat turns their nose up at dry treats, a lickable TEMPTATIONS™ Creamy Spoons™ Treat can be the whisker-licking reset that gets them back in the game. 

Ready to Start Training? 

The best cat treats can turn training from a chore into the highlight of your cat's day — and yours. Whether you're reinforcing calm litter box habits, teaching a recall, or shaping your first trick together, the right reward makes all the difference. Explore the full TEMPTATIONS™ Cat treats range and find the paw-some treat your cat simply can't resist. Because at TEMPTATIONS™, we know cats can't resist™ — and that's exactly what makes training work. 

FAQs 

At what age can I start training my cat? 

You can start gentle, short training sessions once a kitten is weaned and eating solid food comfortably — usually around 8–10 weeks. Use small, soft cat treats for kittens, keep sessions to just a minute or two, and always let them opt out. Early training builds confidence and sets up good habits for life. 

Can older cats still learn new behaviours? 

Absolutely — cats keep learning at every age. Older cats may need a little more patience and higher-value treats to stay motivated, but the same positive reinforcement principles apply. Short, calm sessions work best, and ending on a success keeps things positive. 

Is it okay to train multiple cats together? 

It's usually easier to train cats one at a time, especially in the early stages, so each cat can focus without competition. If you do train together, make sure every cat gets their own treat and their own marker signal. Separate spaces reduce distractions and stop one cat from hogging the rewards.