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A grandpa in a green plaid shirt kneels on a patterned rug holding the raised paw of a cream Exotic Shorthair cat. 19 / 29

Everyone Told Earl You Can't Teach a Cat to Shake. Custard Heard Them.

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Kneeling on a faded patterned rug, Earl has one hand cupped gently around Custard's raised paw, and the look on his face is pure pride. The cream Exotic Shorthair sits upright with her paw resting in his palm, her round copper eyes looking up at him as if waiting for the applause, or more likely the treat. The living room around them is soft and homey, with a cream throw over the gray sofa, reading glasses and a mug on the coffee table, and framed photos lined up on the bookshelf.

Yes, cats can learn tricks. They are smart and food-motivated, and many pick up simple cues like sit, high five, or shake with patience and the right rewards. The key is short sessions of just a few minutes, tiny treats your cat truly loves, and plenty of praise the moment she does the right thing. Some people use a clicker to mark the exact moment of success. Never force a paw or scold a cat for getting it wrong, since cats tend to walk away from anything that feels unpleasant. Training is also great mental exercise, which can help indoor cats stay engaged and content, and it builds trust between cat and person.

Earl may tell everyone at the diner that his cat shakes hands like a gentleman. Custard, for her part, will tell no one, and will only perform when the treat bag is in sight.

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