Help! My Cat Has Always Wants Treats! (Vet Answered)
This question has been answered by a vet
Veterinarian & Animal Behaviorist
With nearly two decades in veterinary medicine, Dr. Paola brings hands-on experience across multiple species. A graduate of the University of Guadalajara, she specializes in preventive care, animal welfare, and positive reinforcement training.
The Question
“Dear Dr. Paola,
I trained my cat Snowshoe not to scratch the furniture by giving her treats every time she used her scratch post, but she took it as begging for treats, and now she expects treats every time she scratches her post. If I don’t give her treats, then she scratches the furniture. How do I get her to stop this? ” – Roxanne
Quick Info about Snowshoe
Hi Roxanne,
This is a great example of how well cats learn patterns. You taught her beautifully, but now she has added her own “terms and conditions.” The goal now is not to remove reinforcement, but to make it less predictable so the behavior stays strong without turning into a negotiation.
You can shift to intermittent and variable reinforcement, meaning she does not get a treat every time she uses the post, but she still gets rewarded often enough to keep the habit. Sometimes it is a small treat, sometimes just calm praise, and occasionally a “jackpot,” a slightly larger or more exciting reward. For most cats, that would be a licky treat deal. This variability mimics natural reward systems and is very effective at maintaining behaviors without creating dependency. At the same time, avoid responding when she scratches furniture, and make the post the easiest and most satisfying option by placing it in preferred areas and refreshing it with catnip or new textures.
To protect your furniture during this transition, applying double-sided sticky tape to target areas can be very helpful, as most cats dislike the sensation and will avoid those surfaces. Think of this process like reshaping a routine rather than breaking it. You are teaching her that the scratching post is always the right choice, but rewards are a pleasant surprise rather than a guaranteed transaction. Happy re-training!