Desensitization and counter conditioning are highly effective techniques for addressing touch sensitivity in cats. These methods gradually transform a cat’s negative or neutral emotional reactions to touch or petting into positive associations. By pairing touch with rewards or pleasant experiences, cats learn to perceive touch as non-threatening or enjoyable.
Here’s what you’ll need:
Quiet room/area
Item such as pen, back scratcher, end of wand toy, tongue depressor etc.
High value spreadable treats (ex. Popsicle stick with wet food, chicken baby food)
High value solid treats
Clicker (optional)
Remember to constantly monitor the cat’s body language and watch for signs of fear, anxiety and stress. Keep training sessions positive and short – no more than 3-5 minutes – taking frequent breaks where needed.
Some cats may be very fearful of hands approaching, so we will work to get cats comfortable with the feeling of touch before working towards getting them comfortable with a hand approaching.
The process:
A typical desensitization and counter conditioning set up may look like:
A known trigger enters the space at a distance while the animal is below threshold. The animal receives high value food whenever the trigger is present.
Exposure to trigger and reward is repeated below threshold until the trigger no longer elicits unwanted response or behaviour.
This process is repeated while distance decreases until the animal no longer displays unwanted responses.
The same can be done with sound. A sound is introduced at a very low level and the animal receives a reward. Eventually the sound is increased in volume or intensity under threshold, slowly changing the conditioned emotional response and any unwanted behaviours.
Steps:
Step 1: Eating next to you
Start by feeding the cat by positioning its dish close to you, trying to keep the cat parallel and facing the same direction as you, or with its head angled away from you.
Sometimes this may need to be started by just feeding in the same space and slowly moving the bowl closer to you over time.
Once the cat is consistently eating next to you, you can begin the next steps.
Step 2: Starting touch
Start by touching the cat around the shoulder area. If they continue to eat, count to 3 then stop touching. Repeat
This can be done with a pen, back scratcher, end of wand toy or similar. Ensure touch begins light.
If the cat startles and turns to look at you, remain still and see if they return to eating. If they do go back to eating, wait a few moments before trying touch again.
If the cat runs away, stop what you’re doing and go back to step 1.
Step 3: Changing areas and pressure
Once the cat is displaying comfort with the light touch, begin to pet the cat around the top of the head and neck area with gentle pressure.
As long as cat remains comfortable and eating, continue to increase pressure until petting normally. You may also start petting with hands if previously using an item to touch the cat.
Using the “three-pet rule” continue to pet the cat while watching their body language to ensure they are enjoying petting. For example, pushing into you or soliciting by moving closer.
Always finish petting before the cat finishes eating.
Once the cat is actively enjoying petting, begin attempting petting when they may be facing away but no food is placed down, or if you toss a treat. Gradually increase the duration you are petting.
Hand approach
Once a cat is comfortable with petting without seeing your hands, you can begin to show them hands before petting.
Step 4: Eating off an item
Using a longer item (back scratcher, pen, stick, end of wand toy etc.) place tasty food or treats on the end and begin feeding.
If cat is actively taking food off the item, you can start to shorten it by grasping it further up or switching to a shorter item.
Once you can place the item and food as close to your hand as possible and the cat consistently eats, you can start to place a treat, or high value food on a finger and offer it to the cat.
If the cat begins consistently eating off your hand, you can begin introducing your other hand by approaching slowly from the side.
If the cat stops eating, remove both hands and try again with your hands approaching from further away.
If the cat continues to eat consistently, work on moving closer to the cat.
Step 5: Moving closer
Begin moving the second hand closer as long as the cat continues eating. Repeat this several times until you are almost touching, then move to next step.
Once the cat is consistently eating while your hand approaches, you can begin to touch very lightly with your second hand.
If the cat continues eating, move to step 6. If the cat startles or runs away, remain still and go back to step 4.
Step 6: Petting
Continue petting lightly for several repetitions.
Once cat is actively enjoying petting, you can begin removing food or offering it while second hand approaches.
Begin petting sessions by offering your hand a couple of inches away from cat. If the cat solicits by pushing into hand, you may start petting following the “three-pet rule.”
If you need assistance, contact a professional trainer or behaviour consultant.
If this information was helpful, please help us continue to educate about pet health and well-being by making a donation. As a registered charity that does not receive annual government funding, the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society depends on the generosity of donors to change the lives of animals in need.
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