Cat Training Research Resources

The scientific research on cat training, with links to articles and blog posts.

Beautiful cat licks its front paw - cat training science resources
Photo: songsakai (Shutterstock)


This page has links to scientific research on how to train cats and the benefits of training cats, as well as links to places where you can read about those studies for free. It is the sister page to our science of dog training resources page. At the moment, this page is a work in progress so please get in touch if you know of any scientific studies (or articles about them) that should be included. Thank you.

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Gourkow, N., & Phillips, C. (2016). Effect of cognitive enrichment on behavior, mucosal immunity and upper respiratory disease of shelter cats rated as frustrated on arrival Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 131, 103-110 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2016.07.012.


Grant, R. A., & Warrior, J. R. (2018). Clicker training increases exploratory behaviour and time spent at the front of the enclosure in shelter cats; Implications for welfare and adoption rates. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 211, 77-83. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2018.12.002



O’Hanley, K. A., Pearl, D. L., & Niel, L. (2021). Risk factors for aggression in adult cats that were fostered through a shelter program as kittens. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 236, 105251.



Kogan, L.; Kolus, C.; Schoenfeld-Tacher, R. Assessment of Clicker Training for Shelter Cats. Animals 2017, 7, 73


Lockhart, J., Wilson, K., & Lanman, C. (2013). The effects of operant training on blood collection for domestic cats. Applied animal behaviour science, 143(2-4), 128-134. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2012.10.011



Pratsch, L., Mohr, N., Palme, R., Rost, J., Troxler, J., & Arhant, C. (2018). Carrier training cats reduces stress on transport to a veterinary practice. Applied Animal Behaviour Science.


Willson, E. K., Stratton, R. B., Bolwell, C. F., & Stafford, K. J. (2017). Comparison of positive reinforcement training in cats: a pilot study. Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research.

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