Why Teach Your Cat to High Five?
A high five is one of the easiest and most rewarding tricks you can teach a cat. It builds on a natural behaviour — cats already use their paws to swat, reach, and explore — so you are working with instinct rather than against it. The trick also strengthens the bond between you and your cat, giving both of you a shared activity that goes beyond feeding time.
If you are new to working with your cat, this is an excellent first trick. It requires no special equipment, takes only a few minutes per session, and most cats pick it up within a week or two. For a broader overview of what is possible, have a look at our beginner’s guide to cat training.
What You Will Need
Keep it simple. You need:
- High-value treats — small, soft treats your cat genuinely loves. Freeze-dried chicken or fish works well.
- A quiet space — train in a room with minimal distractions. Turn off the TV and keep other pets away.
- Patience — cats learn at their own pace. Sessions should be short: two to five minutes, two to three times per day.
Step-by-Step: Teaching the High Five
Step 1: Get Your Cat’s Attention
Hold a treat between your fingers at your cat’s nose level. Let them sniff it and confirm they are interested. If your cat walks away, try again later — forcing attention never works with cats.
Step 2: Encourage the Paw Lift
Hold the treat slightly above your cat’s head and to one side. Most cats will naturally lift a paw to reach for it. The moment a paw lifts — even slightly — say “yes” and give the treat immediately. This is the foundation of the entire trick.
Step 3: Add Your Hand as a Target
Once your cat reliably lifts their paw when you hold a treat, introduce your open palm. Hold your palm flat near the cat’s paw, with the treat hidden behind your fingers. When the paw touches your palm, mark with “yes” and reward. Repeat this until the paw-to-palm contact is consistent.
Step 4: Introduce the Cue
When your cat is reliably touching your palm, start saying “high five” just before you present your hand. Over several sessions, the verbal cue becomes associated with the action. Eventually, your cat will respond to “high five” even without seeing a treat in your hand.
Step 5: Fade the Treat
Gradually move from treating every single time to treating every second or third successful high five. Always praise verbally. The goal is for the behaviour to become self-rewarding through the interaction itself.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Sessions that are too long. Cats have short attention spans. If you push past five minutes, you will see diminishing returns and a frustrated cat. Two minutes of focused training beats ten minutes of unfocused repetition.
Punishing failed attempts. If your cat does not lift their paw, do not push their paw up or scold them. Simply wait, try again, or end the session. Negative reactions damage trust and make future training harder.
Moving too fast. Each step should be solid before moving to the next. If your cat is inconsistent at Step 2, do not jump to Step 3. Patience here saves time overall.
Training when your cat is not hungry. Treats lose their power if your cat has just eaten a full meal. Train before feeding time for the best results.
Building on the High Five
Once your cat has mastered the high five, you have a foundation for more advanced training. The same principles — lure, mark, reward — apply to tricks like sit, spin, and come. You can also explore enrichment activities for indoor cats that use similar mental stimulation.
Trick training also helps with practical behaviours. A cat that is used to working with you for treats is easier to manage during grooming, handling sessions, and vet visits. The right toys can also complement your training sessions by keeping your cat mentally engaged between practice.
How Long Will It Take?
Most cats learn a reliable high five within one to three weeks of consistent, short daily sessions. Some cats — particularly breeds known for their intelligence like Bengals — may pick it up in just a few days. Others take longer, and that is perfectly fine. The process is as valuable as the result.
Final Thoughts
Teaching your cat to high five is not just a party trick. It is a practical exercise in communication, trust-building, and mental enrichment. Start today, keep sessions short and positive, and you will likely be surprised at how quickly your cat catches on.
