Train Your Cat to Ring for Food: A Step-by-Step Guide

Select the Right Cat Feeding Bell

Training your cat to press a bell for food requires selecting a bell that is suitable for them. With a variety of bells available on the market, which one should you choose for your feline friend?

Service Bells

There are numerous service bells available, commonly used in restaurants or bars. These bells come in different sizes, but they share a characteristic: the top button is quite small. This design is not very catfriendly, as it's quite challenging for them to press the bell effectively.

PetSpecific Bells

Petspecific feeding bells or buzzertype devices often feature a larger top button, making them more suitable for cats. This design reduces the difficulty for cats to press the bell, making it a better choice for your furry friend.

Desk Bells

Desk bells are the easiest for cats to use. They can simply flick the bell to make it ring, and cats are naturally drawn to moving objects. Pet owners can use this type of bell to train their cats. These bells are also loud enough to serve as a signal that mealtime has arrived.

Training Your Cat to Press the Bell

During the initial stages of training, you should press the bell each time you feed your cat, with intervals of about 2030 seconds between each press. If your cat finishes its meal early, do not give it any more food, regardless of its requests.

Keep each training session to 35 minutes to help your cat understand that the bell's sound is a signal for food. If your cat accidentally presses the bell, reward it immediately with food. This reinforces the association between the bell and feeding time.

Cats Touching the Bell

If your cat does not initially press the bell, you can hold the bell in your hand. When your cat reaches out for food, it may touch the bell. Press the bell at this moment and immediately provide your cat with food.

For less dexterous cats, you can assist them by gently touching the bell with your finger. Reward your cat immediately after the bell rings, but be mindful not to do this too frequently, as it may have the opposite effect. Overfeeding can also distract your cat from the training.

Cats Using the Bell to Request Food

After some time of training, when your cat intentionally touches the bell, whether it rings or not, you should reward it. If it doesn't ring, press the bell yourself and give your cat a reward. Desk bells are easier to flick, while table bells can only be pressed, making them slightly more challenging.

If your cat presses the table bell at other times and you hear it, reward it immediately. You can even use the table bell as a signal for mealtime, only serving food when the bell is pressed.

LongTerm Training

On average, cats can learn to press the bell for food within 3 days. However, this training is a longterm process. If you stop training or providing feedback for about a week, your cat may lose interest in the bell. To maintain this skill, it's best to continue training regularly, at a consistent time each day, making the bell a signal for mealtime, much like a "let's eat" prompt.

For other times when your cat presses the bell, ignore it, or only bring out the bell at specific times, keeping it stored away when not in use.

Training Tips for Cats

Cats Need to Be Hungry

When using food rewards to train your cat, ensure that it is not full. A wellfed cat is less likely to follow commands.

Food Granularity

Provide your cat with small, easily consumed food particles that it can finish quickly. This prevents it from eating too much at once and ensures that it remains interested in the training.

Especially for treats like freezedried food or fish snacks, it's best to break them into small pieces.

Balance Rewards and Punishments

When your cat makes progress during training, such as touching the bell, reward it immediately within 3 seconds. If your cat only meows or pulls at your hand, do not reward it. Consistency is key to effective training.