Hungry cats aren’t shy. Come mealtime, most kitties will make themselves known, whether that means meowing in the kitchen or knocking down your bedroom door.
As for Winslow, he takes a more civilized approach. When he’s hungry, the 7-year-old tabby plays a tune on his miniature toy piano.
Winslow wasn’t always this sophisticated. Previously, he was overly vocal when food was involved.
“He used to run around screaming all the time and I was like, this is no good,” his owner, Kate Nyx, tells the Independent. “The piano is another way to communicate.”
Nyx, a musician herself, purchased the pint-sized piano on eBay and put it near Winslow’s food bowl. Over time, he learned that hitting the keys was rewarded with attention (and, at mealtimes, food).
“It became some kind of hunting reward because he can’t do much in the apartment,” says Nyx.
Unlike their canine counterparts, cats aren’t usually considered trainable. But this, says trainer Victoria Schade, is an unfortunate misconception.
“Teaching your cat basic — and even not-so-basic — training cues is easier than you think,” says Schade. “Your cat might not be as eager to work as the average treat-motivated dog, but you’ll probably be surprised to discover how much cats enjoy learning new tricks.”
Training provides housecats with much-needed enrichment and mental stimulation, and can strengthen your bond with your pet.
"As a side benefit, challenging your cat’s brain through training might also help to curb basic behavioral challenges, like excessive meowing," adds Schade.
Clicker Training 101: How to Train Your Cat to Sit
Clicker training is one of the easiest way to teach your cat tricks, says Schade.
Training clickers are small plastic devices that allow you to acknowledge correct behaviors with a brief “click” noise. The click is paired with a small food reward, which reinforces the desired behavior.
Ready to give it a try? Start out with a simple cue, such as “sit.” Below, Schade provides step-by-step instructions:
Encourage your cat into the “sit” position by placing a treat in front of her nose and allowing her to smell it. Then, slowly move the treat back between her eyes and towards her forehead. This will naturally cause her head to go up and her rear to go down.
The moment your cat sits, make a click and offer the treat.
Repeat the exercise a couple times, and begin to say the word “sit” as your cat moves into position.
Within 10-20 repetitions, you should be able to simply say the word “sit” and your cat will do it.
Video: @IAmKateNyx/Twitter