Are Persian Cats Easy To Train?


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There are plenty of cat breeds infamous for impeccable intelligence and training capacity, most of which are commonly entered into various showcases and competitions. But, training is also essential for ensuring suitable behavior and conduct within the home. So, are Persian cats easy to train?

Persian cats are not easy to train. Persian cats are much less trainable than other cat breeds, such as the Siamese, Abyssinian, and Bengal. Training Persian cats is always more effective when started at a young age.

It’s important to understand that all cats need the training to be happy, healthy, and safe. So stick around to find out about the Persian cat breed about training and how you can go about training this fluffy feline to ensure their holistic contentment throughout the course of their life.

Are Persian cats easy to train?

Persian cats are not as easy to train compared to many other breeds as they are moderately intelligent and not as active as most breeds. However, this breed has some inherent traits that make training in some areas peaceful. Thus, Persian cats can be trained in enjoyable and comfortable areas, many of which necessitate various additions within the home.

Do Cats Scratch Furniture?

Yes, cats will scratch furniture. Unfortunately, scratching furniture is a common issue, and this area of training will be based on the available means and through negative versus positive responses after their actions.

Owners should ensure that they have suitable accessories for scratching and should use passive approaches to train their Persian cat to learn where they can scratch and where they cannot.

Many approaches can be useful and effective during training, such as spraying pheromones to attract the cat to the area where they should be scratching, or spraying pheromones on furniture to discourage them from scratching it selecting scratching areas that are enjoyable for them. Your Persian should become accustomed to these habits throughout the training with time and patience.

Persian Cat

Do Persian Cats Eat Plants?

Persian cats may also chew houseplants, and caregivers will also need to have passive training approaches in this area. Caregivers should train their Persian cats in this area by providing alternative sources such as cat grass.

Examples of such training approaches include spraying plants with bitter apples, which is an unpleasant odor for cats, as well as covering up the soil with small stones. Over time, your Persian will learn which plants they are able to chew and meddle with and which plants they should avoid.

Do Persian Cats Climb?

Yes, Persian cats will climb, but the Persian cat breed is unlikely to climb and jump that much. Nevertheless, owners may still opt to provide training measures by spraying, deterring pheromones on the edges of curtains, and drapery to ensure their Persian cat does not climb on things.

Are Persian Cats Gentle?

Yes, the Persian cat breed is incredibly gentle, sweet, and polite. They are not unruly or destructive and appreciate quiet and timid homes instead of active and lively settings.

Persian cats love routines and stability; thus, training within the home can be incredibly beneficial for their sense of security and comfort as well.

Persian cats are generally more comfortable on the floor or on loved ones’ laps, and they are not fond of jumping or climbing, coupled with the fact that they are docile with relatively low physical activity levels. While this does mean they are less likely to enjoy training that involves jumping or running, it does make behavioral training within the home slightly easier.

This breed does have occasional outbursts of kitten-like energy, which should be met with suitable outlets and constructive activity plans. Their intelligence should always be encouraged through play and activities, and physical activity should always be encouraged since this breed is prone to obesity.

Persian Cat Training Tips

When training a Persian cat, it is essential to consider their genetic and inherent traits to ensure they get the most out of these sessions. For this breed, in particular, gentle approaches and stable routines can go a long way in terms of the training’s effectiveness long term, as Persian cats deeply appreciate these aspects.

Any training should be met with plenty of patience and love by owners. This breed may take longer to learn tricks, but repeating training sessions and allowing them to practice as much as needed within a safe environment will be most beneficial for ensuring the appropriate outcomes.

Persian Cat

When should you start training a Persian cat?

Training is far more effective when done from a young age, once they have weaned and are beginning the next phase of their childhood. This is since it is far more likely for them to learn certain habits and conduct and continue these norms as they age instead of attempting to undo established behaviors once they have already become accustomed to them.

Persian cats thrive in a stable environment with set routines, norms, and daily activities. Thus, allowing them to grow up with this stability will provide your cat with a sense of comfort and security.

Here are some of my favorite cat products

In addition to checking out some other More Meows articles, I hope you’ll check out some of my favorite cat products as well.  These are affiliate links, so if you end up using them, I’ll get a commission at no extra cost to you.  These are the products I really do find most helpful.

Litter Box:  I started out with normal, traditional litter boxes for my cat.  Then, I tried this automatic litter box on Amazon (affiliate link), which helped reduce the litter upkeep.  Finally, I am now a believer in the Litter-Robot 3 Connect on Amazon (affiliate link).  This robotic litter box is not for everyone based on the price tag, but for me the benefits (very little upkeep, works efficiently, clean, mobile app) far outweighed the cost. 

My Cat’s Litter-Robot 3 Connect (with night light on) – See the link above the photo!

Cat Tree:  I have purchased a couple of this Amazon Basics Cat Tree on Amazon (affiliate link).  My cat spends a lot of time on and around this cat tree, which I position near my sofa.  She uses the scratching posts on this cat tree multiple times a day, which means she is not scratching the sofa instead.

Cat Water Fountain:  I love this cat water fountain on Amazon (affiliate link).  There are three main benefits to having a water fountain like this for your cat.  The first benefit is that it keeps water running so that your cat doesn’t need to drink still water.  The second benefit is that it filters the water.  The third benefit is that it will keep your cat hydrated!

How to litter train a Persian kitten

Litterbox training needs to be done from when they are young to be effective throughout their lives. While some cats may struggle to get the hang of using a litterbox, this training area is generally simple when done with plenty of love, care, and patience.

Cats should never be punished harshly when failing to use the litterbox correctly, as this may cause fear, anxiety, or stress which will likely worsen training effectiveness.

Cats naturally feel the urge to dig in an available spot when they need to pass excretions. In addition, domestic cats commonly prefer areas with certain features when selecting a suitable place to pass their bodily waste. Therefore, ensuring that the litterbox considers these factors will make litterbox training far more effective.

Preferences include the size of the litterbox, the choice of litter that is more suitable when unscented and plain, and the overall cleanliness of the litterbox. In addition, cats appreciate privacy and safety when they need to go, much as humans do. Thus, each cat should have their own litterbox, and the placement of the litterbox should provide them with these comforts for training to be effective.

How to potty train a Persian cat

In some cases, owners may want to train their Persian cat to use the toilet instead of a litterbox which can be tricky for them to understand. But, it is always advised to begin with litterbox training from childhood and go from there once they have been fully trained and are comfortable in the home and once owners are fully aware of all preferences needed for them to feel secure.

Over time, owners can raise the height of the litterbox, after which they can begin moving their litterbox slightly closer to the toilet that they should begin using. This takes plenty of strategies, time, and patience, as your cat needs to adjust to the new area. After this point, owners can gradually remove litter until there is only a thin layer.

Training boxes and devices can be used after this point, which allows the cat to become accustomed to the shape of the toilet. This should be paired with flushable litter and cleaned after every use. The cat can be transitioned to using the toilet, gradually increasing the size of the hole and decreasing the amount of litter. Always flush the toilet after using it, and award them with occasional treats and consistent positive affirmation.

How Do Persian Cats Learn?

Persian cats may learn simple tricks such as high-fives with plenty of practice and patience but are not likely to learn complex tricks. Also, please don’t use too many treats when teaching a Persian cat since Persians can easily gain weight.

Teaching this breed tricks will be the most challenging aspect of training, as they are slow learners due to their moderate intelligence. The effectiveness of training in this area will depend on what your cat is interested in and their engagement levels.

While training a Persian cat is not as easy as training many other breeds, it is possible and worth it with the appropriate measures and approaches. Although the methods used to train your Persian cat will need some creativity, professional advice may be needed since every cat is unique, even within the same breed.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Persian cats are not easy to train. Persian cats may learn basic tricks but probably won’t learn more complex tricks. Also, be careful not to feed your Persian cat too many treats while training since Persians can easily gain weight. 

Christopher Carlson

I have an Domestic Shorthair Tabby named Charlotte. She is full of energy when she isn't sleeping most of the day. I share what I learn about cats on this site.

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