How to teach your cat to climb a cat wall
Your cat climbs wall shelves or a steep sisal ramp to a landing, then comes down a safe route.
- Difficulty
- Takes time
- Session
- 3 min
- To learn
- 8-15 sessions
You'll need
- clicker or a word like “yes”
- small soft treats
- target stick
- wall shelves, cat tree or steep carpeted ramp
- soft landing mat
Why it matters
Cats climb better than they do anything else, so cat courses go higher than dog courses. Climbing on cue also gives indoor cats safe exercise.
Before you start
Warm up with wand play, then train before a meal. Start with a hand target and one easy obstacle. Quiet room, doors closed, non-slip mats under every obstacle.
Step by step
First shelf
Tap the lowest shelf (knee height) and say "Climb". Click as your cat lands, treat on the shelf.
Move on when: Hops up 8 out of 10 tries
Tip: Fix every shelf into studs, not just plasterboard.
Shelf to shelf
Hold the target at the next shelf. Click each landing.
Move on when: Moves up 2 shelves 4 out of 5 times
Tip: Shelves should be no more than one easy hop apart.
Top landing
Lead to the top landing. Click and give a jackpot there.
Move on when: Reaches the top 4 out of 5 times
Tip: Stop at a height you can reach to help without grabbing.
Safe way down
Lead back down shelf by shelf, or down a ramp. Click on the floor.
Move on when: Comes down without leaping from the top, 4 out of 5 times
Tip: Teach down every time; cats are better at going up than down.
Cue from the floor
Say "Climb" and point from 1 m away.
Move on when: Climbs on cue to the top 4 out of 5 times
Tip: Always cue the way down too.
The cue
- Say
- “Climb”
- Hand signal
- Point up the first shelf
If it isn't working
- Jumps down from the top
- Treat on the way down and lower the top landing. Add an extra shelf so the way down is easy.
- Gets stuck and cries
- Lower the route. Lead down with a treat. Never pull it off a shelf.
- Will not go past the first shelf
- Bring the shelves closer together.
Safety
Safety- Kittens: skip until fully grown. Seniors or stiff-jointed cats: skip or use one low shelf.
- Anchor shelves and cat tree to the wall, check weekly; thick mat under the climb.
- Never push, pull or carry your cat; if it will not go, make it easier.
Mastered when
Climbs to the top on cue and comes down by the safe route, 4 out of 5 times
Video check: Film one full climb up and down from a cue
Variations
- Climb then onto a pause table
- Sisal pole climb (short)
Teach this first
Learn next
Sources
- ICAT standard course (International Cat Agility Tournaments)
- What is feline agility? (Cat Fanciers' Association)
- Positive Reinforcement Training Educational Toolkit (FelineVMA)
Written from these sources and checked against vet and trainer guidance. General guidance, not veterinary advice.
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