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Smiling gray-haired woman on a patterned rug holds the raised front paw of a gray Russian Blue cat in a cozy living room. 4 / 38

Everyone Told Grandma Cats Can't Learn Tricks. Sterling Lifted a Paw.

AI imagerussian bluecat tricksliving room

Class is in session on the living room rug. Grandma Dottie sits cross-legged in her cream cardigan, gently holding one gray paw in her hand, while Sterling looks back at her with calm green eyes as if to say he has this trick handled. Around them the room is pleasantly lived-in: a stack of books and a mug on the coffee table, a plaid throw tossed over the couch, a stuffed bunny on the cushion, and a woven basket of yarn tucked by the window plants.

Yes, cats can learn tricks, and a 'shake' or high-five is one of the easiest to start with. The key is short sessions and rewards your cat truly loves, such as tiny bits of a favorite treat. Many people begin by holding a treat in a closed hand just above the floor and rewarding the moment the cat lifts a paw to touch it, then adding a word like 'shake.' Clicker training works well for many cats, too. Keep lessons to just a few minutes, stop while your cat is still interested, and never force a paw up. Smart, people-focused breeds like the Russian Blue often enjoy the attention as much as the snacks, and the practice gives indoor cats welcome mental exercise.

Whether Sterling performs on command or only when he feels like it is still up for debate. Either way, a quiet afternoon of paw-holding counts as a success in this house.

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