Cats learn through reward, not punishment, and can be taught to come when called, accept a carrier and tolerate handling.
Scratching is a normal need: a tall, stable post in the right place protects furniture. Declawing is illegal in the United Kingdom.
Cats can be trained, though not by the methods used on dogs. They repeat what is rewarded and avoid what frightens them, so punishment teaches a cat only to fear the person delivering it. Scratching, the behaviour owners most often want to stop, is a normal need that can be redirected but not removed.
Training works by rewarding the wanted behaviour within a second or two, with a small food treat, play or fuss, and ignoring or preventing the unwanted one. Sessions of a few minutes, ended while the cat is still interested, work best. Some owners use a clicker to mark the exact moment the cat does the right thing.
Shouting, squirting water and physical punishment increase anxiety and often produce new problems, such as hiding, aggression or house soiling.
Scratching removes the worn outer layer of the claw, stretches the muscles of the back and forelegs, and leaves both a visible mark and scent from glands in the paws. It is most frequent after waking and in places the cat considers important, which is why sofas and door frames suffer.
A scratching post has to be tall enough for the cat to stretch to its full length and heavy enough not to wobble or tip. Many cats also like a horizontal or sloping surface. Sisal rope, rough cardboard and bare wood are favoured textures. Posts are put where the cat already scratches and near where it sleeps, and a household with several cats needs several.
While the cat is learning to use the post, the damaged furniture can be covered with a throw or double-sided tape. Rubbing dried catnip into the post or dangling a toy against it encourages a first try. Synthetic pheromone sprays are sold to discourage scratching and marking in particular spots.
Cats that go outdoors keep their claws worn. Indoor and elderly cats may need the tips trimmed, as described under grooming a cat.
Declawing, the surgical removal of the claws and the end bone of each toe, is illegal in the United Kingdom except where a vet judges it necessary for the cat's own health, and it is prohibited in most European countries. It causes lasting pain and changes in behaviour.
Play is hunting practice. Kittens that are allowed to pounce on hands and feet grow into adults that bite, so play is directed at toys from the start. Rod-and-line toys, balls and toys that can be kicked let a cat stalk, chase and catch, and a session is best finished by letting it catch the toy and giving a small treat. Indoor cats need play every day.
A cat that wakes the household at dawn is usually being rewarded with food or attention. Feeding from a timed feeder, and not responding, breaks the link. Cats jump onto worktops for height and food; giving them a shelf or cat tree nearby and keeping food out of sight works better than chasing them off.
A sudden change in behaviour, such as aggression, hiding or soiling, is often a sign of pain or illness, and a veterinary check comes first. Where the cause is behavioural, a vet can refer the owner to a qualified clinical animal behaviourist.