How to teach your cat to come when called

You'll need

• special recall treat (lickable, tuna flakes, cooked chicken)
• recall sound: whistle, shaken treat pot, or word
• marker

Why it matters

A reliable recall helps you find your cat at bedtime, bring it in before a storm, find it if it slips out, and gather it for vet trips without chasing.

Before you start

Choose a sound used only for recall: shaken treat pot or short whistle. Never call before something your cat dislikes, like pills; go to your cat instead.

Step by step

1. 1

   Charge the recall sound

   With your cat right next to you, make the recall sound once, then give the special treat. Repeat 5 times per session, for 2 or 3 sessions.

   Move on when: Head snaps toward you on the sound, every time

   Tip: This is like charging the marker: sound first, treat second, no effort needed yet.

2. 2

   Call from a short distance

   Toss a regular treat 1 metre away. When your cat has eaten it, make the recall sound. Mark as it reaches you and give the special treat at your feet.

   Move on when: Comes back within 3 seconds, 8 out of 10 times

   Tip: Crouch down and turn slightly sideways; leaning over a cat can slow it down.

3. 3

   Ping-pong recall

   Sit across the room from a family member. Take turns calling. Each person marks and rewards on arrival, then the other person calls.

   Move on when: Runs between two people 6 times in a session

   Tip: Stop while your cat is still running happily; three to six recalls is plenty.

4. 4

   Call around a corner

   Call from just out of sight: the hallway, the next doorway. Reward big when your cat finds you.

   Move on when: Finds you within 10 seconds around a corner, 4 of 5 times

   Tip: If your cat doesn't come, step back into view and make it easier.

5. 5

   Call from another room

   Call when your cat is in a different room and not too busy. Reward with three or four special treats in a row.

   Move on when: Comes from another room within 15 seconds, 4 out of 5 times

   Tip: Avoid calling a cat that is asleep or eating while it is learning.

6. 6

   Random recalls through the day

   Once or twice a day, call your cat at an unplanned moment and give a jackpot. Then let it go back to what it was doing.

   Move on when: Comes first call, 9 out of 10 times over a week

   Tip: Letting your cat go back to its fun stops recall always ending good things.

The cue

Say

“Your cat's name + 'come', or a whistle / treat pot shake”

Hand signal

Crouch and sweep one open hand toward your chest

If it isn't working

Comes only when seeing the treat pot

Shake the pot out of sight; sometimes hide it in a pocket and reward from a different spot.

Comes halfway, then stops

Shorten the distance, make the reward better, crouch so you look less looming, and mark as it starts moving.

Ignores the call outside or at window

Practise easier levels first. Call once only; go to your cat, show a treat, then step back to reward a short recall.

Hides when called

The cue may link to something unpleasant. Pick a new sound, start from step 1, and never use it before vet trips or pills.

Mastered when

Comes from another room on the first call, 4 out of 5 times, on 3 different days

Video check: Film yourself calling once from a room where your cat can't see you, then your cat arriving.

Variations

• Use recall for exercise games between two people.
• Use recall to bring your cat to the carrier area, then reward there.

Teach this first

• Clicker training for cats: how to charge the clicker →
• How to teach your cat to respond to its name →

Learn next

• How to teach your cat to go to its mat →
• Carrier love: a step-by-step lesson for cats →