For 10-year-old Mia (a fictional composite based on the study participants), learning to train her cat wasn't just about teaching the cat to sit on command. It was about discovering she could be a teacher — and that her cat, Luna, could be a student.
A new study from Oregon State University in Corvallis found that when children with developmental disabilities learned to train their cats, both the kids and the cats thrived. The research, published in the journal Animals, shows that a simple six-session cat training program led to real changes in children's behavior and stronger bonds between kids and their feline companions.
The study followed 36 children ages 8 to 17, each paired with their family cat. Half the participants took part in six 45-minute training sessions and completed weekly homework assignments like practicing training techniques and teaching their cats basic commands such as sit and come. The other half served as a comparison group and did not receive the training.
The results surprised even the researchers. Before training, only 44 percent of children reported teaching their cats new tricks. After the program, that number jumped to 94 percent. The number of kids who walked their cats rose from 28 percent to 78 percent — a huge leap for an activity many people assume cats would never tolerate. Every single child attended all six training sessions, and on average they completed 81 percent of their homework assignments.
But the cats benefited too. Six cats in the study moved from what researchers called "insecure" to "secure" attachment with their child — meaning they showed more confidence and trust. Cats who started out hiding or acting anxious became more social and engaged.
Monique Udell, a professor at Oregon State University who has studied human-cat relationships for more than a decade, said the findings challenge the idea that cats are aloof or uninterested in people.
"When children and their cats work together through training, it can strengthen their bond while supporting positive outcomes for both the child and the cat," Udell said. "They're seeing these cats now as partners, a source of motivation to take on more responsibility and engage in healthy behaviors."
The study comes during what Udell calls a "cultural shift" in how people view cats. More pet owners are training their cats and taking them on outdoor adventures like walks, camping trips, and even kayaking expeditions. The research suggests this trend could be especially powerful for families with children who have developmental disabilities, giving them a new path to connection and confidence.