How to teach your cat to come to a whistle

You'll need

• whistle or squeaky toy
• very tasty treats (meat paste, tuna flakes)

Why it matters

A whistle carries further than your voice and sounds the same every time. It helps you find a hiding cat or call it in from the garden.

Before you start

Use a sound your cat does not hear at other times. Start when your cat is close and hungry.

Step by step

1. 1

   Whistle means food

   Blow one soft whistle, then give a great treat right away. Repeat 5 times, a few times a day, with your cat next to you.

   Move on when: Looks at you on hearing the whistle, 5 times in a row

   Tip: Do not ask for anything yet. Whistle, then treat, every time.

2. 2

   Short distance

   Whistle when your cat is 1 to 2 m away. Treat when it reaches you.

   Move on when: Comes from 2 m 8 out of 10 tries

   Tip: Crouch down when you whistle; it makes you more inviting.

3. 3

   Other rooms

   Whistle from another room. Pay with a jackpot of several treats.

   Move on when: Comes from another room 4 out of 5 times

   Tip: Have a helper hold the cat gently and let go if you need to.

4. 4

   Mealtime recall

   Whistle before every meal and put the bowl down when your cat arrives.

   Move on when: Arrives for meals on the whistle every time

   Tip: Daily meals make the sound very strong.

5. 5

   Mild distractions

   Whistle while your cat is sniffing or mildly busy, not mid-play or mid-hunt.

   Move on when: Comes away from a mild distraction 4 out of 5 times

   Tip: Never use the whistle for things your cat dislikes, like the carrier or medicine.

The cue

Say

“(whistle) or "Here"”

Hand signal

Crouch with open arms

If it isn't working

Ignores the whistle

Go back to whistle-then-treat with your cat right beside you. Use a better treat.

Comes slowly

Pay with a jackpot when it runs. Practise at times your cat is already alert.

Whistle linked to carrier or vet

Pick a new sound and start again. Use a different routine for the carrier.

Mastered when

Comes to the whistle from 2 rooms away within 10 seconds, 4 out of 5 times

Video check: Film a whistle recall from another room, starting with the cat out of sight

Variations

• Shake a treat tin as the signal
• Recall between two people
• Recall in a catio or enclosed garden

Teach this first

• How to teach your cat to come when called →

Learn next

• How to get your cat to do tricks anywhere →