FAQ: Treats for cats

Yes, cats learn well when they get a small treat straight after the behaviour you want. Short sessions of a few minutes, when the cat is hungry but not overly so, work best.

Small, strong-smelling treats that are eaten quickly and are easy to break work well for training. Large or chewy pieces interrupt the session because the cat spends too long eating.

First the cat learns that the click means a treat: click and immediately give a piece, repeating several times. Later, click at the moment the cat does the desired action and then reward it.

Leave the carrier open in a room and gradually place treats further and further inside so the cat links it with something pleasant. Once the cat walks in confidently, you can briefly close the door and reward again.

A favourite treat helps some cats cope better with an examination or procedure. Before the visit, ask the clinic whether the cat may eat, because before some tests or anaesthesia it must have an empty stomach.

Start by briefly touching a paw and giving a treat straight away, then gradually add showing the clippers and trimming one nail. A lickable treat is handy because the cat licks it while you work.

Brush a calmly lying cat briefly and reward it with a treat straight away, gradually making the sessions longer. Stop while the cat is still relaxed so that brushing stays a pleasant experience.

Say the cat's name or a short word and give a treat the moment it comes. Start close by in a quiet place and gradually increase the distance; shaking the treat pack can also become a signal.

Treats work better for rewarding the behaviour you want, such as scratching the post, than for punishing the wrong one. If a cat suddenly starts behaving unusually, it is worth ruling out health causes with a vet first.

If you give a treat every time the cat meows, it soon learns that asking pays off and meows more and more. It is better to give treats for calm behaviour or at set times rather than in response to demands.

They are toys or boards with holes, balls and boxes from which the cat has to get a treat out with its paw or nose. They keep the cat busy, exercise its mind and slow down eating, so they are useful for indoor cats.

Treats can be hidden under cups, scattered around the room or tossed for the cat to chase. That way it moves and hunts more, which is especially good for cats that do not go outside.

A lick mat with a grooved surface spread with a lickable treat or wet food calms and occupies a cat. It needs a thorough wash after each use so that bacteria do not grow in the grooves.

Treats are best given straight after the behaviour you want, during play or while bonding, but not right before a main meal. That way the cat does not lose its appetite for its usual food.

A small amount of dry treats can be left in a toy or puzzle to keep the cat entertained. Do not leave soft or moist treats out for long, because they spoil quickly.

Sit quietly within the cat's view and place a treat near you, letting it approach on its own. Gradually place the treat closer until the cat takes it from your hand, without forcing anything.

Treats given to both cats at the same time from a safe distance, for example through a barrier, help them link each other with something pleasant. Reduce the distance gradually while watching both cats' behaviour.

Give each cat its own treat a little apart from the others so one cannot steal from another. If one cat is on a diet, it can get different treats or be fed in a separate place.

Some cats guard food and may chase others away from treats. Giving treats at the same time, in separate places and in equal amounts usually reduces tension.

Treats help a cat link a scary sound with something pleasant: run the vacuum far away in another room and give a treat at the same time, gradually reducing the distance. Always leave the cat a way to retreat to a safe spot.