Cats are frequently known to jump on the counters, chew on wires, and scratch household items that are not designed to be scratched. Fortunately, it's possible to change a cat's behavior by rewarding for good behavior and disciplining for bad behavior. However, because you don't want to damage your relationship with the cat or hurt them, it's important to know the right way to discipline a cat.

Here are the do's and don'ts of how to discipline a cat the right way.

Don’t Compare Your Cat to a Dog

Cats are not like dogs, so you shouldn’t expect them to behave like dogs or interact with you like dogs. They are also smarter than many people think and they have a great memory. Experts state that cats have both long-term and short-term memory so they are trainable. At the same time, it also means they know what they can get away with repeatedly. Don't mistake this for spite; your feline is merely following their ingrained behavioral traits.

Do Use Positive Reinforcement

Pets, like people, react well to positive reinforcement, so cats will remember when they get something they enjoy. Most cats like attention, food, toys, or all three. Choose a motivator that you can use to entice your cat to do what you want them to do and to provide them with a form of positive reinforcement.

If possible, reward your cat with this special item only when training for this particular behavior. Reserving the desirable item for training, will add to the value of the reward and make it that much more enticing to your cat. Try high-value treats like tuna, lickable wet food, or catnip toys.

Don’t Physically Reprimand Your Cat

Never discipline your cat by hitting them, frightening them, grabbing them by the scruff of the neck, or other negative methods. The most important thing to remember is to never physically punish your cat. This includes spanking, hitting, kicking, or hurting your cat intentionally. Attempting to teach a cat a lesson through physical means does not work and can lead to more disruptive, even aggressive, behavior.

Do Provide Alternatives for Bad Behavior

Provide alternatives so that your cat has an outlet for the behavior they’re trying to express. For example, if your cat "counter surfs" they may want to be up high. Provide a perch or a window sill bed that is about the same height as the counter, then reward your cat when they use the perch. Or, if your cat jumps to the faucet every time it turns on, they may just want some running water to drink from, so consider getting a water fountain.

Don’t Scruff Your Cat 

Never scruff your cat. This is no longer recommended as a method of restraint or transport for adult cats. Scruffing is painful and when you cause a misbehaving cat pain, it will only further exacerbate an issue. It is also thought that what appears to be relaxation for some cats who are scruffed is actually fear paralysis.

An alternative to grabbing a cat by the scruff is putting a blanket over them and scooping the cat up inside it. This will keep you and the cat safe and allow you to transport the cat without stressing them out or causing physical pain.

Do Use Pheromones 

Certain pheromones can be sprayed on an object or diffused into the area that you do not want your cat to scratch. These pheromones (like Feliway) signal to your cat that they have already "marked" the area and do not need to mark it again. Cats often mark territory by scratching. Providing a scratching post for them and placing treats or other rewards around the post will help deflect unwanted scratching as well.

Don’t Make Loud Noises

It's not recommended to use spray bottles or noisy cans to punish or deter your cat. Your cat will only start to be wary of you when you are around and will continue the bad behavior when you aren't around. The only effective thing you have taught your cat is to be scared of you.

Do Use Double-Sided Tape or Aluminum Foil

Double-sided tape or aluminum foil can be placed on surfaces you don't want your cat on or scratching. Use museum putty to hold balls of crumpled aluminum foil along the edges of a cabinet or counter where your cat jumps up, or apply rows of double-sided tape to the area of the couch where your cat scratches the upholstery.

Be sure to provide positive alternatives, however, such as a nearby scratching post or a piece of cat furniture that allows your cat a spot for climbing and perching.

Don’t Engage With An Aggressive Cat

Do not respond with force to a cat that is showing aggression. It increases the aggression in the cat and reinforces that the cat should be wary around you. Do not attempt to pick up a cat that is showing aggression as this will typically increase aggressive behavior.

The safest and most effective thing to do is remove yourself for a few minutes and then if your cat is calm when you return reward them. Aggressive cats are typically scared or stressed out about something, so it is important to try to identify potential issues in a cat that is showing aggression towards people or other animals.

Do Use Motion Activated Air-Sprays

Place these devices around areas you do not want your cat to access. If the cat comes close, it will spray air and typically deter the cat from coming closer. This is another option that works well on kitchen counters or other areas where you don't want your cat jumping up or walking.

To have a spray or other deterrent be effective, it has to be deployed every single time the cat performs the behavior. First, your cat associates the negative with the counter or object, not you, and, second, it is present all the time, even if you are not there.

Don’t Yell 

Raising your voice and yelling at your cat isn’t helpful when it comes to disciplining them. They might get scared, stressed, or nervous, especially since they have sensitive hearing. They likely won’t understand why you’re being loud all of a sudden, so it isn’t effective at changing behaviors.

Do Say Something

Startle your cat with an "ouch" or another word to end any rough behavior. Then immediately remove yourself from the cat. Go into a room and shut the door. This teaches them that rough behavior means playtime or cuddles stop.

Don’t Rub Your Cat’s Nose in an Accident

Rubbing your cat’s nose in a spot they peed in or defecated on is not a good move at all. It frightens them, they don’t understand why you’re doing it to them, and it doesn’t resolve the underlying issue. 

When cats go to the bathroom outside the litter box, it might be a result of stress or anxiety, it might be because they aren’t feeling well and there’s a medical issue that needs to be treated by a vet, or it might be because their litter box is too dirty or too strongly scented with fragrance. If you have more than one cat, make sure there are enough litter boxes for all of them, and scoop them daily.

If you can’t figure out what’s going on to cause your cat to avoid the litter box, talk to your vet.  

Do Encourage and Train Good Behavior  

Believe it or not, techniques used to train dogs, such as positive reinforcement clicker training, also works well in cats! Rewarding positive behavior with treats, pets, or play gives your cat the good vibes they need to continue to exhibit this behavior and it strengthens the positive bond you have with your cat. 

Whenever possible, give treats, praise, and attention to your cat if they’re behaving nicely. If you notice them lying next to something they used to chew, reward them. If you notice them scratching the scratching pole instead of your sofa, reward them. Your cat will quickly learn the difference between good and bad behavior.

You can also use this type of positive reinforcement to teach your cat tricks, such as shaking hands, rolling over, or sitting up. Tricks aren't only for dogs! Many felines enjoy the extra attention and rewards of learning and performing simple tricks with their favorite humans.

Do Rule Out Medical Issues 

Sometimes, a medical issue might cause your cat to act out or develop distressing behaviors. If your cat suddenly develops troubling behaviors, it’s a good idea to schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. These behaviors include:

• Aggression or shyness in a cat that was formerly friendly
• Urinating inappropriately around the house
• Fighting with other household pets that the cat got along with previously
• Acting in a way that seems "off"

It may be that rather than being spiteful or difficult, your cat is suffering from an undiagnosed medical condition or ailment.