Can you train a cat to fear snake like objects? (incld snakes)?

Question

i was wondering Can you train a cat to fear snake like objects? (incld snakes) , like get it to play with a rubber snake and u holding the snake and make it move like one and pretend to strike at the cat, like a real snake would, (meaning make it bump the nose of the cat) to give it fear of it so it will run from anything that looks like a rubber snake , (eg real life snake) . would it work?

Answer 1

That's an interesting idea. However, cats are smart enough that they would probably figure out the difference between a rubber snake and a real one very quickly. However, you could try your idea or you could try leaving one out around the house and every time your cat goes near it squirting your cat with a water bottle. However, I don't think that's very nice. So, unless you live in an area that has lots of life threatening snakes (then keep your cat inside) you probably should just forget it.

Answer 2

The answer is BOTH yes and no.

You can do things to make the cat fear snake like things ( if you want to, don't go with the nose,.. go with the neck and make hissing sounds or have it flick water around some how,... hopefully even squirt water...... some REAL snakes do squirt, but you wouldn't want that stuff to touch you)... but those darn instincts and curiosity always get the better of them >.<

So it doesn't matter if you train them. Odds are they will still be drawn in by it's movement and try to engage in interactions.

Answer 3

I think by doing that will make the cat want to play it it more... like my cat now brings me snakes home now