People often think that cats are untrainable, but this is not true; felines are extremely intelligent and can be taught various behaviors easily.

Once you bring your kitten home, start training him to give him the best chance of integrating into your family. Here are five basic training steps to take with your kitten.

　1. Teach your cat to sit

The more rewards an animal receives for a behavior, the more likely it is that the behavior will occur in the future. To make problem behavior less likely to occur, teach a basic behavior such as sitting that will be rewarded generously from the start.

To teach sitting, mark the moment your kitten sits and reward immediately. You can use a clicker, or you can use a sound with "ok" or "yes" when the kitten's bottom hits the floor. Immediately after the mark sits, bring a food reward, such as tuna or canned cat food on a spoon.

If your kitten reaches out with his paws or stands on his hind feet, move treats out of reach until all of his feet are on the floor. This will prevent you from rewarding unwanted behavior (pawing and standing on hind feet) instead of desired behavior (sitting).

Finally, make sure your cat is hungry—and therefore interested in rewards—by training during meal times.

2. Crate train your kitten

Teach your kitten to love his crate from an early age. Feeding in a crate is a great way to get him used to being in an enclosed area. Leave the door open at first; briefly close the door while your cat gets used to the crate.

The more your kitten learns to enjoy his crate, the easier it will be to protect your cat on future trips.

3. Handle your cat in a variety of ways

Many cats will simply tolerate being handled in some way and being held uncomfortably in awkward positions. However, whether it happens at the vet's office or when your niece comes to visit, there's a good chance your cat will be held in an uncomfortable position at some point.

Prepare your kitten for this by teaching him to accept various types of petting and holding. Only practice at a level your cat is comfortable and relaxed with. Try holding your cat on your side, under your arms, butt dangling, on your back and sideways.

Additionally, practice restraining your kitten for short periods of time. Touch various parts of his body, such as his feet and ears, gently tug on his tail, and run your fingers over his teeth and gums. Treat your cat with every hug and gesture. More relaxed kittens can be treated immediately after holding, while more timid kittens canMay require treatment with every handling exercise.

Getting your kitten used to being handled when he is young will make it easier for you to trim nails, brush teeth, and clean ears as he gets older. ​​​​​​

4. Socialize your kitten

A kitten’s primary socialization period is between two and seven weeks of age. Many cats become frightened as adults and hide when visitors come over because they are exposed to only a limited number of people outside the household during socialization.

Solve this problem by going on a variety of fun-filled outings with your kitty and inviting a variety of people into your home. Pair each new experience with treats, toys, petting, and praise to avoid pushing your kitten to the point where he reacts out of fear.

Using a kitten harness and leash makes it easy to carry your kitten when you travel to a friend's house or the farmer's market, and the best way to ensure your cat is comfortable around a variety of animals, such as dogs, is Introduce him to relaxed and cat-friendly dogs as a kitten.

But before you expose your cat to other cats, see your veterinarian to make sure he is protected by appropriate vaccinations.

5. Train your cat to play with toys, not with hands

Playing with your cat is a great way to promote bonding and get rid of excess kitty energy. However, when a cat owner gets rough with her kitten, and the kitten learns that it's okay to play with their teeth and claws on the owner's skin, this can easily escalate into harder bites and scratches.

Instead, use toys to interact with your cat. Feathers, balls, or catnip toys on a string can be just as enjoyable for your cat as your hands.