How to teach your cat to high five

You'll need

• clicker or a word like “yes”
• small soft treats
• target stick or pencil

Why it matters

Cats paw at things naturally, so high five comes fast. It builds confidence and leads to wave, shake and paw-on-cue tricks.

Before you start

Play with a wand toy first, then train in a quiet room before a meal, when your cat is a little hungry. Have 10 to 15 pea-sized soft treats ready.

Step by step

1. 1

   Target out of reach

   Hold your target stick a few centimetres above your cat's head, too high for the nose. Wait. Click the moment a paw lifts and touches it.

   Move on when: Paw touches the stick 5 out of 10 tries

   Tip: Keep the stick still. Let your cat work out the paw does the job.

2. 2

   Hand on the stick

   Slide your hand down the stick so your fingers are near the tip. Click paw touches on your fingers.

   Move on when: Paw touches near your fingers 8 out of 10 tries

   Tip: Move your hand down a little each session, not all at once.

3. 3

   Palm only

   Drop the stick. Hold your open palm, fingers up, at the same height. Click the paw touch.

   Move on when: Paw touches your palm 8 out of 10 tries

   Tip: A sticky note on your palm gives a clear spot to aim at.

4. 4

   Add the cue

   Say "High five" just as you raise your palm. Click and treat the touch.

   Move on when: Cue plus palm answers within 3 seconds, 4 out of 5 times

   Tip: Give the treat from the other hand, low, so your cat sits back down.

5. 5

   Change your place

   Practise sitting on the floor, on a chair and standing (cat on a table). Raise the palm a little each time.

   Move on when: High fives from 3 different positions

   Tip: If it falls apart, go back to the easy position for 3 wins.

The cue

Say

“High five”

Hand signal

Open palm raised at shoulder height of the cat, fingers up

If it isn't working

Sniffs the palm instead

Hold the palm a bit higher than the nose and slightly to one side of the paw you want. Click even a small lift.

Claws come out

Mark earlier, when the paw is still lifting, and treat. Soft touches get paid, so the touch stays soft over time. Keep nails trimmed.

Stands up to reach

Lower your palm. You want a sitting high five.

Mastered when

High fives on cue with either hand, in 2 rooms, 4 out of 5 times

Video check: Film 3 cued high fives in a row with no treat in the signal hand

Variations

• High ten (both paws)
• Left and right paw on different cues
• High five a family member

Teach this first

• Clicker training for cats: how to charge the clicker →
• How to teach your cat to touch objects with its nose →

Learn next

• How to teach your cat to shake paws →
• How to teach your cat to wave →