Here’s What to Do Instead

Disciplining Cats requires less discipline and more reverse psychology, guiding them to make the “right” choice when it comes to their behavior. Let us explain.

by Cat Behaviorist Rita Reimers

If you’ve ever caught your cat knocking something off the counter with the precision of a seasoned bowler, scratching up the furniture like they’re training for a WWE match, or launching a surprise ankle attack, your first instinct might be to discipline them.

But here’s the thing about cats: They don’t operate on the same system we do. In fact, disciplining your cat can backfire, making unwanted behaviors worse and damaging the bond between you and your feline overlord—uh, we mean friend.

Why Cats Don’t Respond to Discipline

Disciplining cats is punishing them for doing the things that come naturally to them, and are necessary when outside. They need to claw things to keep their nails and paws ready for the hunt. They scent mark things to let other cats know the territory has been claimed.

These are natural instincts that don’t disappear just because kitty lives inside. Yelling at them or other types of punishment won’t stop your cat from is instinctual actions.

Why? There are two main reasons why disciplining your cat won’t work the way you want it to.

Cats Don’t Understand Punishment

Cats don’t associate punishment with their actions the way humans or dogs might. If you spray them with water, they don’t think, “Oh, I shouldn’t do that.” Instead, they think, “Wow, my human is rude. I better plot revenge at 3 AM.”

It Creates Fear, Not Learning

Punishing a cat teaches them to be afraid of you, leading to stress, anxiety, and even more behavioral problems. We once had a client ask in all seriousness “You mean I can never hit my cat?” No sir, it’s never ok to hit your cat. He will be confused and become fearful if not aggressive.

And that’s exactly what was happening. His cat was slowly learning that he could no longer trust his human, and he became aggressive in a effort to protect himself from harm.

Negative Reinforcement Can Escalate Bad Behavior

Some cats are downright sassy. If you try to discipline cats, they may double down on the behavior. Instead of discouraging the unwanted action, punishment might reinforce their determination to keep doing it. Cats are independent thinkers, and if they feel threatened or challenged, they may retaliate by acting out in new ways, such as increased aggression, excessive scratching, or avoiding you altogether.

Negative reinforcement, like yelling, hitting, rubbing his nose in pee/poo outside of the litter box, or even spraying water can make them associate you with fear rather than learning an alternative behavior. Instead of correcting the problem, it may encourage them to find sneakier ways to continue their mischief while avoiding detection.

If you’ve ever caught your cat knocking something off the counter with the precision of a seasoned bowler, scratching up the furniture like they’re training for a WWE match, or launching a surprise ankle attack, your first instinct might be to discipline them.

But here’s the thing—cats? They don’t operate on the same system. In fact, disciplining your cat can backfire, making unwanted behaviors worse and damaging the bond between you and your feline overlord—uh, we mean friend.

What to Do Instead of Disciplining Cats

This is where the reverse psychology comes into play. Our task is to find alternatives acceptable behaviors and teach your cat to use them instead.

Here are 5 steps that are actually effective in helping your kitty transition to more acceptable actions.

1. Redirect Unwanted Behaviors

For example, instead of punishing a cat for scratching furniture, provide a sturdy cat scratching post. Place the post near their usual scratching spots and use catnip or treats to make it more appealing. Cats scratch to mark territory and stretch their muscles, so offering an appropriate alternative helps satisfy their natural instincts.

2. Use Positive Reinforcement and Rewards

When your cat does something good—like using their scratching post instead of your sofa—immediately reward them with a treat, petting, or a favorite toy. As Linda like to say, “Reward them like they just cured cancer!”

Consistency is key to getting cats to repeat wanted behaviors and stop those “bad” ones. Reinforcing the right behavior every time will help your cat make the connection and repeat it willingly. Cats have a very short attention span, so the reward has to come immediately after the wanted action is performed. Otherwise, kitty won’t associate the reward with his actions.

3. Remove the Temptation or Make it Unpleasant

Use cat deterrents like double-sided tape or motion-activated sprays like SSSCAT on furniture or counters to discourage unwanted behavior. They won’t like the sticky feeling on their paws and will begin to avoid those surfaces. Providing alternative climbing spots, such as cat trees or shelves, scratching posts, and lots of toys can also help direct their energy toward acceptable activities.

4. Understand the Root Cause of the Behavior

Many behavioral issues stem from boredom, stress, or unmet needs. When bored, cats may decide to chew up your plants, get into things they shouldn’t, or direct their energy toward one of their feline roommates.

Make sure your cat has plenty of mental and physical stimulation with toys, scratching posts, and interactive playtime. If they’re displaying aggressive or destructive behaviors, consider factors like changes in routine, lack of socialization, or underlying health issues.

5. Be Consistent and Patient

This might be the most important key of all: Cats thrive on routine, so be patient and consistent when training them. Sudden changes in response or expectations can confuse them. Stick with positive reinforcement training for cats and give them time to adjust.

Over time, they’ll learn the behaviors that make life happier for both of you.

Discipling Cats: Final Thoughts

Cats aren’t misbehaving to be “bad”—they’re simply being cats and doing what comes naturally. Focus on understanding their needs so you can provide appropriate outlets for their instinctual behaviors.

Need More Help with Cats and Discipline?

If you’d like a PURRsonalized Action Plan for you and your cats, please book a Cat Behavior Session with Rita.