Problem Solving & Advice by Pam Johnson-Bennett Cat Behavior Expert & Best-selling Author
When it comes to correcting unwanted behaviors in your cat, punishment is not an effective nor humane approach. Here are 10 reasons to use positive reward-based methods rather than punishment, to have a better relationship with your feline companion.
1. Punishment Doesn’t Teach Your Cat Anything Positive
Initially, punishment may seem to be the way to stop a cat from displaying an unwanted behavior, but it ends up back-firing on you because it doesn’t teach the cat what to do as an alternate behavior. When you punish, you may think the message you’re conveying is that a particular behavior is to be stopped, but the lesson the cat actually receives is that the behavior will now need to be hidden. It also trains the cat to fear you. The cat resorts to engaging in the behavior when you aren’t present.
2. Punishment Means You Don’t Understand What the Cat is Communicating
You love your cat, I don’t doubt that at all, but if you punish for a behavior, it means you misinterpret why behaviors are displayed. You assume the cat is misbehaving, when in reality, behaviors are performed because they serve a function. It doesn’t mean you like the behavior, but it’s crucial to understand that the cat repeats the behavior because there’s a pay-off… a reason… a need. The cat is communicating something or is engaging in a natural behavior (such as scratching). Punishment means an assumption has been made that the cat is being spiteful, stupid or deliberately misbehaving. Nothing could be further from the truth.
3. Punishment Leads to More Behavior Problems
When cats are subjected to punishment by either being yelled at or physically disciplined, it often increases the level of fear and reactivity. Instead of the cat learning not to engage in that “misbehavior” again, kitty starts associating the negative experience with the one administering the punishment. Punishment creates confusion and a feeling of being threatened. Whatever good work you’ve been doing to build a bond with your cat is now in jeopardy as the association turns negative. So, in addition to the initial unwanted behavior, you may now be dealing with a cat who starts displaying aggression. Not quite the outcome you wanted.
4. Punishment Destroys the Bond You Share
Cats form deep and loving bonds with their human family members. You may have been working hard to establish trust with a fearful cat or one you’ve rescued. Punishment breaks that bond, doesn’t teach the cat anything beneficial, and sets you several steps back in the trust-building process. Your cat is an emotional sponge and perceives your attitude, tone of voice, and body language as either safe and secure or dangerous and threatening. When punishment is used, the only thing the cat may learn is to avoid the one who is punishing. As a result, the human/cat bond is damaged, and the behavior problem remains unresolved.
5. Understand What Your Cat Needs
If your cat is displaying a behavior that is unwanted, identify the underlying cause. Is the behavior due to an undiagnosed medical issue? Is the cat trying to communicate something is wrong? Is the cat doing the best he can under the circumstances in the current environment? Is it a natural, instinctive behavior being displayed in an unwanted way because you haven’t met the cat’s needs? Here are a couple of examples. A cat who eliminates outside of the litter box isn’t being stupid or spiteful. Maybe the cat has a medical issue and is in pain or perhaps associates the pain with the box itself. Another reason for litter box avoidance is that the box conditions may not be tolerable, or perhaps the cat is being ambushed by another cat when in the box. If furniture scratching is the concern keep in mind that scratching is a natural, and very beneficial aspect of cat health. If the sofa is the target, it may mean you don’t have a scratching post or perhaps it’s not one that meets the cat’s needs. Look at behavior being displayed from the cat’s point of view. There’s always a reason for the behavior. Your job is to figure out what your cat is getting from it so you can provide a better option. In other words: think like a cat.
6. Set Your Cat up for Success
Positive, reward-based training provides a road map for the cat to learn what behaviors are acceptable to both of you. Use treats, praise, play, or whatever your cat views as positive, to encourage and acknowledge the type of behavior you want to see repeated. For this to work, identify the reason for the behavior and then provide what your cat needs. Redirect unwanted behavior in a way that provides a better option. If your cat is scratching the sofa, cover it with a sheet to make it less appealing, but then make sure there’s a much better option available in the form of a tall, sturdy scratching post that’s covered in a claw-friendly texture such as sisal. Locate the post right next to the sofa This technique redirects your cat to an alternative behavior while at the same time, rebuilding trust. No punishment needed.
7. Be Consistent
For training to be effective, it must also be consistent. Don’t send mixed messages. It’s also important for everyone in the family to be on the same page with the training methods. If you’re training your cat to stay off the counter but someone else in the family is allowing the cat to jump up there anytime he want, then the cat ends up confused and the whole process breaks down.
8. Don’t Underestimate Your Cat’s Intelligence
If you thought cats couldn’t be trained, or your training technique was based on punishment, you’ve missed out on seeing how highly intelligent your feline family member is, and how, when trained with patience, understanding, and love, your relationship will grow stronger.
9. It’s Never too Late
Don’t give up on your cat or think it’s too late to change how you’ve approached training. It may take time for your cat to trust you again, but a positive, reward-based approach will go a long way in repairing that damaged bond. Your cat deserves your patience and understanding.
10. Professional Help
If a behavior problem is too complex or challenging for you, talk to your veterinarian about a referral to a certified behavior professional. A qualified behavior expert can help identify the underlying cause of the problem and establish a training strategy customized for your cat’s specific circumstances.
Need More Information?
If you need help with understanding the needs and nature of your cat, or for more information on cat training, check out the best-selling books by Pam Johnson-Bennett. Pam’s books are available at your favorite bookstore and online. We’ve included a link to Amazon here on our website.
Note: This article is not intended as a medical diagnosis and is not a replacement for your cat’s veterinary care. If you have questions about your cat’s health or behavior, consult your veterinarian.
