Want to turn your feline friend into a talented performer? From basic commands to impressive stunts, we're sharing amazing tricks that will transform your cat from lazy lounger to circus star! Whether you're a new cat parent or experienced trainer, these entertaining tricks will strengthen your bond and amaze your guests.
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00:00Hello, Jinx. Attaboy. That tricked me another week.
00:04Welcome to Mizmojo, where we'll be looking at 20 totally hilarious tricks that cats can learn.
00:10Oh, you found it.
00:13Number 20. Lie down.
00:16Awesome.
00:16Cats are notorious for spending most of their lives lounging around not doing much.
00:21Despite this, when we want them to lie down,
00:24they will do anything but that.
00:28Teaching them this trick solves that completely.
00:31It can be used to get them to finally sleep in their bed.
00:35Rather than spending all night in a cardboard box,
00:38you can also use it to stop them from zooming through open doors.
00:42Teach this to them when they're young and it'll help cut down on many difficult behaviors.
00:46It also helps with learning other tricks, like playing dead and rolling over.
00:51Good girl.
00:53Number 19. Stand upright.
00:55This trick isn't at all useful, but it sure is funny.
01:06Cats frequently do this for things like catching birds and for playing with their prey.
01:11To do it, hold a treat just above their head and lift it higher and higher until they're standing upright.
01:17You can associate it with a phrase like,
01:19stand up, turning your feline into a tiny circus performer.
01:23With enough training, you could teach them how to walk around on their hind legs.
01:27It's a great trick to show off when you've got guests and also illustrates your feline's discipline.
01:33Repetition is important for cats to learn quickly.
01:35Number 18. Slalom.
01:41If you've ever bumbled about your abode and your cat has run between your legs nearly tripping you up,
01:46they're already halfway to becoming a slalom master.
01:49All you need to do is make them do it on purpose.
02:04An alien concept to a cat.
02:07You can teach them to do it between your legs or you can go a step further and set up an obstacle course.
02:13With practice, they can zigzag like a kitty Olympian.
02:23If that's not wild enough, try getting some kitten skis and see if they can do it on snow.
02:30Number 17. Sit on shoulder.
02:32We've all seen pet birds like parrots perched on shoulders.
02:36But what about cats?
02:38Some cats, this is their favorite position to be in.
02:41It's really convenient to feel a cat like that.
02:42Their lazy and loving nature makes it surprisingly possible.
02:46Some cats might even do this without training.
02:49To pull it off, lure them into your lap with a treat, then gradually move up to the shoulder.
02:53Reinforce it with a saying like shoulder.
02:56And with sufficient practice, you'll have a parrot cat in no time.
03:00Aww.
03:04Why don't you do?
03:05A well-trained shoulder cat makes you look beyond cool until they jam their claws into your back
03:11or randomly decide to hurl themselves at a passing fly.
03:14Just be warned, they might start doing this all the time.
03:18Especially when you're least expecting it.
03:20His cat decided to perch on his shoulder during a TV interview about the recent ousting of a Polish Supreme Court judge.
03:26And the best part is, the man seems completely unfazed by the whole thing and continues the interview with the cat on his shoulders.
03:33Number 16. Roll over.
03:35Teaching a cat to roll over is the ultimate test of discipline.
03:38Start by getting your cat to lie down, an already difficult task.
03:42If your cat already knows how to lie down with a signal, this will be helpful.
03:47Then hold up a treat and move it circularly over their shoulder, then towards the floor.
03:53Make sure to say roll over and reward them like they just won a Grammy.
03:58By continuing to give the command and practicing this motion,
04:01Sherlock has eventually begun to understand that she will only get the treat after completing the entire roll.
04:07Some cats will love this, rolling about like a furry gymnast.
04:12Others will flop on the floor and then decide that their energy pools are depleted.
04:17If you're really unfortunate, your cat will just sit blindly staring at you, as if you're spouting complete nonsense.
04:23Roll over the other way.
04:26Good roll.
04:28Number 15. Ring a bell.
04:30You might want to think twice before you start working on this trick.
04:33What? Good boy.
04:36Teaching your cat to ring a bell is cute, but things go south when they realize it can be used to boss you around.
04:42Start by sitting them next to a bell and reward any interest they show in it.
04:46Gradually begin encouraging them to tap it with their paw, rewarding them when successful,
04:51and enforcing it by saying, ring the bell.
04:54Some cats will instantly love this trick, and then they'll never stop ringing.
04:58Others won't care at all.
05:02If you want a personal feline tyrant, constantly demanding food and attention, this is the number one trick to teach them.
05:13Number 14. Play dead.
05:15Teaching your cat to play dead is as impressive as it is amusing.
05:19First, get your cat to lie down, then hold a treat above their nose.
05:23Move it to the side in a way that's encouraging them to flop onto their back.
05:28Once achieved, give them the treat, and say something like, play dead.
05:32As you can see, it takes many, many steps to complete this particular trick.
05:36So sit, lay down, lay on your side, slight roll.
05:41If you want to make it even more comical, point a finger gun at them and shout, bang.
05:45Some cats will love it, others will think you're mad.
05:49If yours is the latter, wait till they flop down for a nap, and use that to your advantage.
05:54Bang.
05:59There we go.
06:01That took forever.
06:02Number 13. Spin.
06:04This trick is basically the formal version of a cat chasing their tail.
06:08It's priceless, and not too difficult to master.
06:11To achieve it, hold a treat near their nose as usual, then slowly move it around them in a circle.
06:17If they follow it, then the job's almost done.
06:21Good.
06:23Make sure to say spin, and after a few successful tries, they'll have this one nailed.
06:29Don't be surprised if they start spinning on their own.
06:31They either want food, or to become a tornado.
06:34Either way, it's an adorable trick to add to their feline repertoire.
06:38I'll try spinning, that's a good trick.
06:41Number 12. Targeting.
06:45If you struggle to get your cat to do what you want, such as getting in their carrier,
06:49then they would benefit from some target training.
06:53This trick allows you to guide your cat with just your finger.
06:56It's probably the most useful trick they can learn.
06:59You can also do it with a special stick instead of your finger,
07:03so they don't get confused by pointing and such.
07:05Start by holding out your finger or stick, then gently moving it in a direction.
07:12When your cat bonks it with their nose, reward them with a treat, and try saying target as well.
07:18Now you can finally get them off your keyboard without picking them up.
07:22Number 11. Come when called.
07:24Teaching a dog their name is essential, but it's not as common for cats to get the same treatment.
07:30Jones!
07:32It is surprisingly possible with a little work.
07:36To do it, try saying your cat's name to them, and if they look back, reward them with a treat.
07:41If they look away, try it again and keep going until they understand.
07:45Try getting gradually further away when you try it until eventually they can respond from anywhere in the house.
07:54Now you can impress guests by showing them your cat whenever you like.
08:01This is a pose to an untrained cat who can randomly be anywhere in the house at any given time.
08:07Number 10. High five.
08:09Take advantage of how your cat naturally plays and turn it into a cool trick.
08:14All right, Bill. I'll see you later. High five.
08:18Yeah.
08:19Any old cat can learn to give a paw, but only the coolest cats give high fives.
08:25To do this, your cat needs to remain seated while you hold a treat in your hand.
08:29Good.
08:31When you say high five, your cat must touch only one paw to your hand to get the treat.
08:36If your cat touches you with its head or begins to walk, you have to sit them down and start again.
08:41Yeah.
08:42Even when your cat learns the trick, don't be surprised if you're occasionally left hanging.
08:48Cats will be cats after all.
08:54Number 9. Sit.
08:56It might be one of the most basic tricks to teach your cat, but it's also among the most important.
09:01Now sit. Good.
09:04This trick is the foundation for all future tricks and teaches your little ball of fluff that tricks mean treats.
09:10This is also a good time to introduce a clicker or some other auditory indicator, letting your cat know that they've done well.
09:18Click as soon as their bum hits the ground and then the reward is a few licks from the spoon.
09:23At first, introduce the command and give a treat even if your feline doesn't actually sit.
09:29Eventually, press lightly on their back until they are sitting and keep those treats handy.
09:35Once your cat gets the hang of sitting, gradually cut down on the treats and try reinforcing your command by using a clicker.
09:42Number 8. Close and open doors.
09:48This trick is a blessing and a curse since your cat can close the cabinet doors you left open, but it will also mean you'll lose all privacy.
09:57Cats tend to be very curious, so getting them to use a handle and an open door might be easy enough.
10:09However, closing the door is going to take longer.
10:11To get started, pick an easy door to open and close.
10:18Tap along the door like you're playing with your cat and get their focus on the door.
10:23When they make contact with it, make sure they know they're doing a good thing.
10:26Once your cat catches on, reward the furry genius.
10:30Soon, no door will be safe.
10:32Number 7. Skateboard.
10:34This is a more complicated trick.
10:37Your cat should already have basic tricks mastered and have experienced following commands before attempting it.
10:47The first step is just getting your cat comfortable around the skateboard.
10:51Every time your cat does get on the skateboard, reward them so they associate it with good things.
10:57This will be a long process, but is totally worth it for the reactions.
11:01It may just earn you some YouTube fame, too.
11:04One of the best examples of a skateboarding kitty is Didja.
11:08She rides her board around Australia, performing jumps and other tricks on four wheels.
11:13Number 6. Walk on a leash.
11:21Some cats take to this better than others.
11:24Mars, come on.
11:27Come on, baby.
11:28There is something about a harness that seems to make cats flop over like a pancake.
11:33The first step is finding a harness that properly fits your cat.
11:36Next, let your cat wear it a little longer every day until they act normally with it on.
11:40A different method is to use some food to distract them and place a harness while they are eating.
11:45Then, introduce them to a leash.
11:47It's important to make sure your cat is comfortable with everything before taking them outside.
11:52You don't want your kitty to flip out once you go outside since it can be dangerous.
11:57The final step is to simply enjoy the great outdoors with your furry friend.
12:02And just like that, we're walking with a kitty on a leash.
12:05Number 5. Give a handshake.
12:06Every well-mannered cat should be able to formally introduce themselves.
12:10All right, maybe that's an exaggeration, but this trick is adorable nonetheless.
12:22Shaking isn't a natural thing for your cat, so you have to ease them into it.
12:27Start by having them sit in a quiet area, repeat the command shake,
12:31and take their paw into your hand when you do so.
12:34At first, your cat is going to think you've gone crazy and will try to pull away.
12:38However, with positive reinforcement, a little patience, and plenty of rewards,
12:43your kitty Einstein will eventually get the idea.
12:46The key to teaching your cat to shake is to get her to associate physical contact
12:50between your hand and her paw with getting a treat.
12:54Before long, they'll be shaking paws with the best of them.
12:57Number 4. Jump through hoops.
12:59This is a simple trick for a cat to learn, but it makes a big impression with guests.
13:04Good job, big jump. Big jump. Good, good.
13:09Your furry buddy will look like they belong in the circus.
13:12How could visitors not be impressed?
13:14It's all about getting your cat used to doing this motion.
13:18Good girl, Holly.
13:19First, the cat just needs to go through the hoop.
13:21Don't worry, jumping will come later.
13:23You can lure your cat through with a treat to make things easier.
13:27You can then get smaller hoops, increase the height, and then your feline will be a professional leaper.
13:33Not only will you have a neat trick to show your friends, but you'll have your cat feeling like a secret agent.
13:40Number 3. Shell game.
13:42Take advantage of your cat's natural hunting instincts and turn it into a party trick.
13:46Start by placing treats under a shell.
13:50Then, smell will encourage your cat to select the correct one.
13:54You can also opt for using bells so they can still hear the prize.
13:57Eventually, the thrill of the hunt will be enough for your cat, and any old item will do.
14:03Good job.
14:04Admittedly, it's probably better suited for calmer cats, as energetic felines won't have the patience and might just attack your hand.
14:12And yes, technically, you are encouraging gambling, but it's worth it when you see the furry little paw hit that shell with conviction.
14:24Number 2. Fetch.
14:26The biggest factor in getting your cat to play fetch is finding them the perfect toy.
14:30This is fetch with the cat.
14:33Every cat's different, so it takes some experimenting.
14:37You can try balls, fluffy mice, or even plastic springs.
14:40Once you find your cat's favorite toy, simply throw it a short distance.
14:45When they chase after it and pick it up, celebrate this action.
14:49When your cat picks it up, call them back to you and say, fetch.
14:53When they finally bring the toy back to you, reward them and repeat.
14:57Not only is this a good method for bonding with your kitty, but also a great way to help them get some exercise.
15:03Pancake. Fetch.
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15:21Number 1. Use the toilet.
15:23This trick is perfect if you're sick of scooping kitty litter every day.
15:28Teaching your cat to use the toilet, like potty training a toddler, is not something learned overnight and does require some equipment.
15:40The first thing you need is a special litter bowl, like the Litter Quitter, that fits over your toilet.
15:46It's also important to get non-clumpy kitty litter to avoid expensive plumbing bills.
15:52And this one you just put a little bit of litter so they still kind of can smell the litter, they get used to it.
15:55As your cat gets more comfortable, gradually move to smaller litter bowls until your cat doesn't need one at all.
16:02If you want to take this trick one step further, you can even train your cat to flush, eliminating all the mess in one foul swirl.
16:10Which trick did you think is the most impressive?
16:16Let us know down in the comments.
16:20Do you agree with our picks?
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16:40All right.
16:54We'll see you next time.