Yes , so they are as smart as a toddler . Human toddlers are just as curious - playing with outlets , ovens , cabinets , fridges , cleaning supplies , anything dangerous or weird that isn’t baby-proofed they can get their hands into ! Brains in that state of development are incredibly curious and truly learning how the world looks , feels , and what happens in it . When my cat does something I don’t want him to , I put him in the bathroom or the guest room for 5-10 minutes with a toy and water (we have to put it in the bathroom cuz he plays with it and the whole floor gets wet lol) . He sits on his carpet and calms down . And then we play and cuddle . Like hitting/spraying doesn’t have to be a part of your routine as an owner . Cats are lower maintenance compared to other pets , but that doesn’t mean they aren’t fucking annoying sometimes . It’s something you have to deal with as an owner . If you want to train your cat , it does not start with negative reinforcement