What are the essential commands every cat should know?

Cats are known to be independent creatures who may seem like they do whatever they want but training them with essential commands can actually strengthen your bond and improve their behavior. As a responsible cat owner, knowing the basic commands that every feline should know is imperative not just for their safety but also for yours too!

From “come” to “stay”, we’ve rounded up all the must-know commands that will transform your kitty into an obedient and happy pet. So whether you’re a first-time cat parent or looking to teach your furry friend some new tricks, keep reading this blog post as we reveal everything you need to know about the must-learn essential commands for cats!

Basic Commands Every Cat Should Know

When it comes to cat care, there are a few essential commands every cat should know. Here are five of the most important:

Settle Down: This one is pretty self-explanatory. When your cat is feeling agitated or stressed, try saying, “Settle down” in a calm voice and give them a treat if they respond. Come When Called: Another basic command that most cats will obey is when you call their name. If they’re outside and you want them to come in, say “Come in” before opening the door.

MEOW: This Napoleon reference stands for “message received” and means that your cat knows they’ve done something wrong and needs to be told how to correct it. Scratching Posts/Walls: Cats like to scratch posts or walls as part of their scratching habit so let them do so while you give them some verbal praise (meow).

Pee Outside: One last thing to remember is bathroom breaks – tell your kitty when you need them to go outside so they don’t have any accidents inside!

Bottom Line

There are a few essential cat commands every cat should know in order to keep them healthy and happy. These include settling down, coming when called, meowing, scratching posts/walls, and peeing outside.

Why Learning These Commands is Important

The commands listed here are essential for every cat, regardless of their age or temperament. Knowing and using these commands will make your cat happy, comfortable, and safe in your home.

Here are some other important things to know about your cat:

• The average lifespan of a domestic cat is around 10 years, although this can vary depending on their lifestyle and health.

• Cats use a variety of vocalizations to communicate with one another, including meowing, chirping, hissing, growling, and purring.

• A house cat’s diet consists largely of raw meat, but they will also eat a variety of vegetables and fruits.

• Toilet training a cat is an essential part of their development and can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months.

• Cat colonies can consist of anywhere from one cat to dozens, and are often formed by a mother cat and her kittens.

• Most cats require weekly brushing to keep their fur clean and healthy.

• If your cat is not getting along with another pet in your home, it may be best to try and separate them by using placing one of the pets in a separate room.

These are just a few of the important things to know about cats. If you want to learn more, be sure to check out our other articles on cat care and cat breeds.

How to Teach Your Cat These Commands

Command 1: Sit

When your cat is sitting down, tell them to “sit” and give them a treat. Sometimes cats will instinctively sit when they’re being petted, so this command can be easily learned without having to use a treat as an incentive. If your cat is not sitting down when you ask them to, try using a firmer voice or gently shaking their body to get them to comply.

Command 2: Come

When your cat is nearby, tell them “come” and give them a treat. Use a low voice so your cat knows you’re not angry and that they are wanted. Direct them to come to you by pointing in their direction and offering the treat. If your cat does not come when called, try again in a few minutes or after leaving the area. If your cat doesn’t listen to either of these commands, consult a veterinarian.

Command 3: Fetch

To teach your cat to fetch, start by placing a small object, like a ball or toy, in front of them. When they reach for the object, tell them “fetch” and give them the object. If your cat is not interested in fetching, try using different objects or introducing the command later when they’re more cooperative.

Command 4: Sit Up

Sit up for a treat. When your cat sits up, give them a treat. If they don’t sit up on their own, try using a firmer voice or shaking their body to get them to comply.

Command 5: Down

To teach your cat to down, start by placing a small object, like a ball or toy, on the ground in front of them. When they reach for the object, tell them “down” and give them the object. If your cat is not interested in fetching, try using different objects or introducing the command later when they’re more cooperative.

Command 6: Come Out

When your cat is hiding in a corner or behind something, tell them “come out” and give them a treats. Once your cat comes out, tell them “Good kitty” and give them a treat. If your cat doesn’t come out on their own, try using a firmer voice or shaking their body to get them to comply.

Command 7: Stay

To teach your cat to stay, start by placing a small object, like a ball or toy, in front of them. When they reach for the object, tell them “stay” and give them the object. If your cat is not interested in fetching, try using different objects or introducing the command later when they’re more cooperative.

Command 8: Come When Called

When you’re not home, tell your cat to “come when called” by calling their name and giving them a treat when they come running. If your cat doesn’t come when called, try again in a few minutes or after leaving the area.

Supplemental Commands for Cats

There are a few supplemental commands that all cats should know, in case their main commands aren’t sufficient.

• ‘sit’ – This is the most commonly used command, and it’s often used to get cats to stay down. When you say ‘sit’, your cat should sit down with its legs together and its body squarely against the ground. If your cat doesn’t sit, you can usually correct it by repeating the command a few times until it does.

• ‘stay’ – This command is similar to ‘sit’; it tells your cat to stay put and not move. To use this command, say ‘stay’ followed by an instruction such as ‘stay away from the plate’. Again, if your cat doesn’t obey, you can usually get it to listen by repeating the command several times.

• ‘come’ – This is the command used to get your cat to come to you. When you want your cat to come to you, say ‘come’ followed by a specific instruction such as ‘kitten over here’. Your cat will usually obey this command if you give it the correct instruction.

• ‘pet’ – This is the most common command used to get your cat to love you. When you want your cat to pet you, say ‘pet’ followed by a specific instruction such as ‘kitten want to pet you’. Your cat will usually oblige if you give it the correct instruction.

Supplemental commands are an important part of training your cat, and they can help you to get the most out of your relationship.

Conclusion

All cats should know the following commands: sit, stay, come, down, meow, andrawl. These essential commands will help keep your cat safe and comfortable while you are away from home or when there is an intruder present. The more commands your cat knows, the better behaved and happier he or she will be.