Cats Love Agility Training. You Will, Too

The furry contestants are allowed to correct mistakes. “They may stop to chase a bug between the first and second obstacles,” says Jill Archibald, 71, feline agility chair for the Cat Fanciers’ Association. “They can go back to where they went off course and continue the obstacle."

Trainers and handlers at these competitions work off cats’ natural prey-hunting instincts by using a lure (that is, a high-value toy) to entice the cat through the obstacle course.

Archibald suggests starting your cat's training with small steps, such as dragging a favorite toy across a stack of books or a chair, then giving your cat lots of love and attention when it follows through.

"There's no reason people can't teach their cat agility now that they're home,” she says. “Just don't do it with catnip because your cat will get stupid and lay down."

A deep bond forms

If you're interested in seeing if your cat has what it takes, clicker training is often the go-to training method. The clicker (or even a click pen) is pressed to mark desired behavior, which is reinforced with a high-value treat.

Christie Rogero, who leads the Cat Pawsitive initiative through Greater Good Charities, a training and enrichment program for shelter cats, teaches volunteers to clicker train for various commands such as high five, hoop jump, roll over, fetch and other agility routines. The program helps alleviate boredom, cultivate bonding with humans and even reduce behavior problems.

One cat, Pippi, who was described as “murderous,” was so stressed out by the shelter environment that she became swatty and angry, scaring the volunteers.

Cat Pawsitive Team Leader Nikki Lowe works with rescue cat Pippi to jump through hoops.

Courtesy Five Acres Animal Shelter/Greater Good Charities Five Acres Animal Shelter

When Pippi started agility training, it was like a switch had flipped, Rogero says. Soon, she was choosing to engage with humans by running up stairs and jumping through hoops. And she was eventually brought home by an adopter who is thrilled to keep her engaged. “You can go from murderous to a content cat who is not going to rip your face off because she is so frustrated at her environment,” Rogero says of training.

While finding cats homes and earning recognition in national competitions are huge parts of the draw of agility training, the real benefit is the deep bond that forms between pet and owner. “You can almost always tell what they're thinking, both in the agility ring and at home,” says Pete Deal. “You definitely do feel closer."

Video: You Can Teach Your Cat to Jump Through A Hoop