Is it possible to train a cat?

[kernix]

And if so - how? I have 2 cats - my oldest one, a female is one. The youngest one, a male a little over a year old, at times will be friendly to the female, and at other attack her. There are plenty of times will he will clean her, be sitting calmly right by her, but other times stalks her: when she wakes up and goes to eat or to use the litter box - or when she is sleeping.

I need a way to stop the stalking behavior, anyone know how?

Thanks!
Jim

 

[gecko_mom]

As for training cats, yes it's possible. Both my cats come when their name is called. One of my cats fetches and shakes her paw. Cats are trainable.

What you are talking about is normal cat behavior, and thus not very trainable. Cats are hunters, stalking is in their nature. If your older cat has enough of it, she will give him the slap and he'll back off.

I would hope both of your cats are spayed/neutered. If not, that's always a good idea with cats.

Sounds like pretty normal cat behavior to me, especially from a young male. He may just mellow as he ages as well. Make sure you have plenty of cat toys for them.

 

[Maxy24]

Sounds like play to me. It's possible the female doesn't like being played with but it's still not aggression. Why do you want it to stop? Are either of them getting hurt? Cat play can look harsh, they bite and tackle and run but that's just how they play. If one really seems to dislike it, ends up hissing and spitting or screaming in pain, that's different and you will have to work on it, otherwise I'd leave it be.

However cats are trainable, I taught Neko to sit, high five and spin in a circle, Willie has learned not to go on the mantle, both don't scratch furniture. Unfortunately I can't train commands all that much because I can't give a cat as many treats as I can a dog.

ETA: Don't let hi stalk and pounce when she's using/just comes out of the litterbox, she might start going to the bathroom on the floor if she thinks the litterbox is not safe. So if you see him stalking her when she's using the box pick him up until she's completely finished.

 

[tessa_s212]

Yes

Our cat, V, will sit (sometimes), speak, and fetch. We raised him from 2 days old, and he is also crate trained. He lays quietly while his nails are being trimmed. These are all things we trained and carefully shaped. He is also NOT declawed! We put the time into training him to never scratch on anything but the appropriate cat furniture.

Not as easy as dogs, but cats ARE trainable!

Is it actually causing fights? Does the older cat not like the younger? Is she becoming aggressive/fearful, etc?

When we introduced the younger kitten here, we had an older cat. She HATED V for a very long time. She would hiss at him and run away. V started doing as your kitten is doing, stalking and trying to play with her. It took months, but eventually they became friends, and I think V keeps Aramae young. Now they play together every morning.

 

[kernix]

Yes, the older one has 2 scabs on her neck - about the width of teeth. I noticed some more on the back of ner neck. I really don't feel like having to pay a hefty vet bill if an abscess forms. He has mellowed since I first got him, guess I'll just have to wait a little longer.

Thanks!