How to make a cat come towards you?

Training cats to come towards you when called requires time, patience, toys and treats! We advise that you practise when your cat wants attention, in an environment with minimal distractions. Create positive associations with their name being called by beckoning them near with treats or toys. Always use positive reinforcement to reward them when they come to you. You can also do this by showing them affection.

What is the 3-3-3 rule for cats?

The 3-3-3 rule is a guideline for owners about what to expect during a cat's adjustment period after adoption. The 3-3-3 rule suggests that it usually takes 3 days for a cat to get used to their new surroundings. During this time, they may show signs of anxiety. After 3 weeks, your cat should start to feel more confident around you and their environment. You may notice they start to interact more. 3 months is the milestone when they should become fully adjusted, feeling the most at home. Strong bonding will usually occur during this time. The 3-3-3 rule reminds us to have patience.

What to do when your cat won’t come to you?

Cats are independent animals and may take time to associate their name or cue with recall training. Due to their individual personalities, some cats may take longer to train or may not always reliably come to you when called. Create positive associations with their name being called by beckoning them near with treats or toys. Always use positive reinforcement to reward them when they come to you. Be patient with them and repeat the same steps regularly, ideally at the same time of day.

How to get a cat to come next to you?

Recall training takes time and patience. Start by using your cat’s name with a positive tone, in an environment with few distractions. You could use a toy to get them to come over. Utilise positive reinforcement techniques to reward them when they come to you, for example, show them affection and use toys or treats as a reward. Repeat this training regularly until you start to see positive results. Consistency, rewards and routine are key!

cat looking up at owner about to serve a bowl of food

HOW TO GET A CAT TO COME TO YOU

Many cat owners often wonder how to get a cat to come to you when you call their name! It's common knowledge that training cats to come to you isn’t as straightforward as training dogs! Cats are independent creatures who are not as motivated by pleasing their owners as dogs are; however, this does not mean they can’t be trained in the art of recall. The practical steps required to get a cat to come to you are slightly different, but with patience, repetition and effort, recalling cats can be achieved. This guide will explain the expert tips and tricks you need to know, including a short informative video which outlines how to find your cat by calling their name, how to use their habits to your advantage and why rewarding good behaviour can help you train them more effectively.

Can cats find their way home without recall training? Cats can find their way home quite easily thanks to their unique homing instincts, navigation skills and use of scent marking. However, their success can also depend on how far cats roam from home, their individual homing skills and if you have moved house recently.

Watch: Training your cat to come when called

This video explains how to get a cat to come to you by following our guidelines. We advise that you observe your cat’s daily habits and identify when they want to interact with you the most. After pinpointing their favourite times to engage with you, try repeating their name and calling them. You can also use their favourite toy to reinforce this recall practice. When your cat successfully comes to you, reward them with attention and affection, which means lots of petting! You can double down on this positive reinforcement technique by repeating these steps regularly until it becomes second nature.

Step-by-step: How to get a cat to come to you

“I can’t find my cat!” is a sentence most cat owners have uttered at least once. There are many reasons why cat recall is important, for example, many owners worry about how to get a cat to come home at night, or may struggle to locate them when they are hiding in your home. Your consistency, tone and timing during recall training are crucial to get a cat to come to you when their name is called successfully. Our step-by-step guide will help you along the way.

1. Observe your cat’s habits

You should always aim to train your cat when they are feeling comfortable and relaxed. It helps to identify when they want to interact and engage with you the most, which is when they are most likely to respond successfully. Observing and understanding these patterns of behaviour is key, as well as a quiet setting with no distractions.

2. Call your cat by name

Using your cat’s name with a positive tone also helps build trust and recognition. You can also use other cues like a noise, a specific word or a hand gesture. For example, always calling their name before you put their food out is a great way to train recall responsiveness. You can also reward them for recall with treats, affection, attention and play. We suggest saying “yes, well done!” and petting them when they recall successfully, followed by a treat. This is the foundation of positive reinforcement.

3. Reward and repeat

Positive reinforcement using treats, toys and praise also helps with other sorts of training, including teaching your cat tricks(open in new tab), such as sitting on command! Patience and repetition are crucial; always remember that practice makes perfect! Repeating the recall exercise at the same time every day can also boost its effectiveness. It is a good idea to gradually reduce the need for treats during positive reinforcement over time. You can do this by initially phasing out the number of treats used, followed by replacing treats altogether with verbal praise and petting.

Are you planning on switching your cat’s food(open in new tab)? Check out our other articles for expert advice on a range of important topics.

Final tips: Building a stronger bond

Trust, routine and gentle yet persistent training is the best way to not only build a stronger bond with your feline friend, but also build on your ability to get a cat to come to you when you call their name. This skill can serve many purposes; it may help get a cat to come home at night for dinner, help you find them when you need to or even allow you to call them away from doing something dangerous. Cats can find their way home quite easily, but they are also stubborn and adventurous, and this training could help you locate them if bad weather is rolling in. It can also just be a fun way to spend more quality time together. Quality time and positive associations with your voice make this kind of training more successful in the long run. Looking for other ways to bond with your cat? You can also learn how to take your cat for a walk(open in new tab)!

How to get a cat to come to you - FAQs

All Questions How to get a cat to come to you

How to make a cat come towards you?

Training cats to come towards you when called requires time, patience, toys and treats! We advise that you practise when your cat wants attention, in an environment with minimal distractions. Create positive associations with their name being called by beckoning them near with treats or toys. Always use positive reinforcement to reward them when they come to you. You can also do this by showing them affection.
What is the 3-3-3 rule for cats?

The 3-3-3 rule is a guideline for owners about what to expect during a cat's adjustment period after adoption. The 3-3-3 rule suggests that it usually takes 3 days for a cat to get used to their new surroundings. During this time, they may show signs of anxiety. After 3 weeks, your cat should start to feel more confident around you and their environment. You may notice they start to interact more. 3 months is the milestone when they should become fully adjusted, feeling the most at home. Strong bonding will usually occur during this time. The 3-3-3 rule reminds us to have patience.
What to do when your cat won’t come to you?

Cats are independent animals and may take time to associate their name or cue with recall training. Due to their individual personalities, some cats may take longer to train or may not always reliably come to you when called. Create positive associations with their name being called by beckoning them near with treats or toys. Always use positive reinforcement to reward them when they come to you. Be patient with them and repeat the same steps regularly, ideally at the same time of day.
How to get a cat to come next to you?

Recall training takes time and patience. Start by using your cat’s name with a positive tone, in an environment with few distractions. You could use a toy to get them to come over. Utilise positive reinforcement techniques to reward them when they come to you, for example, show them affection and use toys or treats as a reward. Repeat this training regularly until you start to see positive results. Consistency, rewards and routine are key!

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