You’re ready to welcome a cat into your life and create a special pet-human relationship. But how to access a cat’s heart isn’t always intuitive. These adorable animals often need time, space, and understanding to build trust and affection. Also, some cats may need to pay special attention to how they get to know each other.
“Cats are very sociable and friendly and will come up to you, but many cats actually need relationship building,” he says. jennifer van de kiefta certified advanced cat training expert in New York City.
If you ignore your new cat, they will likely ignore you. But learning how to bond with your cat and taking steps to do so will help you build strong, meaningful connections that will enrich your life. Here are some tips from experts to help you bond with your cat.
1. Meet your basic needs
Most cats need to feel comfortable and safe before they are open to friendship and connection.
To help your cat succeed, provide food, fresh water, a clean litter box, and plenty of warm places to rest. Spread out your cat’s food, water, and litter box in a private, low-traffic area where they won’t be disturbed by other pets. “Building relationships is secondary,” Van de Kieft says.
If your cat won’t approach you, think about what your cat needs to feel comfortable. Let your children know where food is and where they can be alone.
Cats love to eat, so feeding your cat four or five strictly portioned meals a day instead of leaving food out all the time will help your cat develop a positive relationship with you.
2. Give them their space
It may sound counterintuitive, but one important step to help your cat build trust is to leave him alone until he adjusts.
“Most cats take a little while to decompress. [after coming to a new home]’ says Van de Kieft. “It’s best to give them a little space for the first few days.”
Cats are sensitive to their environment and need a chance to get used to their new home. Van de Kieft says it usually takes about two weeks for a cat’s true relaxed personality to show.
Make sure your cat feels safe and comfortable by designating a space just for it. This might be cat bed, cat caveor cozy, folded blanket on the chair. Pay attention to what areas they already spend time in and find ways to increase their comfort and safety.
3. Let Them Come To You
Even if you want to cuddle your new cat, it’s best to allow your cat to interact with you when he or she is ready. Unexpected or uninvited handling can be scary, especially if your cat has experienced trauma or is nervous around strangers.
“I think it’s good to be there and see if they want to approach you,” Van de Kieft says.
Hold out your hand and see if the cat approaches you. A soft headbutt or nudge is a sign that they are interested in interacting.
Even after cats become comfortable with you, it’s important to give them independence, says certified cat behavior consultant and owner Joey Rusbardi. class act cat In Minneapolis. If your cat is giving signs that it wants you to back away (flapping its tail, biting, leaning forward, etc.), don’t force the interaction. Respecting their space will strengthen their trust in you and protect your bond.
5. Groom your cat
Cats often show their love for each other through grooming, and sometimes grooming can be a way to bond with your cat as a pet parent. But Rusvardi says you shouldn’t force your cat to groom you if he doesn’t like it. Unless you have a long-haired cat, which requires regular brushing to avoid matting and matting.
“It should be a fun experience for both you and your cat,” says Rusbardi.
Keep brushing with your cat short and gentle, and stop before your cat shows signs that it’s no longer interested.
6. Try clicker training
In clicker training, small clicker device Associate the sound with the desired behavior, followed by a reward (usually a treat). This practice forms an associative language between cat and pet parent, giving them a way to communicate commands while praising good or brave behavior.
Van de Kieft says the intensive one-on-one time spent through this form of training helps strengthen the bond between cat and pet parent, and Rusvardi agrees.
“You learn how to communicate with them in a very positive and fun way,” says Lusbardi. “[It] It really helps you build a bond with them. ”
7. Reduce stress and anxiety
Cats who have endured stress or trauma may need extra help to feel safe and acclimated to their new surroundings. To help your troubled cat become more relaxed and friendly, consider different ideas to help your cat feel calmer and more confident.
Van de Kieft loves to play david tay’s music for cats— a song written specifically for cats in collaboration with animal scientists.
“It’s scientifically proven to reduce stress in cats,” Van de Kieft says. “This is like magic.”
With soothing music, Plug-in cat pheromones like Feliway®added calming probiotics (Purina® Pro Plan® Calming Care) to your cat’s food, or give your cat a calming supplement (VetriScience® Composure™ or Nutramax® Sorikin®) Helps reduce stress and anxiety.
8. Stick to a schedule
After all, you can’t build strong relationships without trust. And predictability helps your cat feel comfortable with you.
“Cats are very attached to schedules and routines,” Van de Kieft says. “You want to do the same thing at the same time every day. It really helps the cat adjust.”
Make your cat’s daily schedule as routine as possible, including feeding time, play time, and time outside. The more they know what will happen and when, the more confident and relaxed they will be, and the more motivated they will be to seek closeness with their human family.
