My cats are my world and I can’t imagine life without them, especially when times are tough. You may experience the feeling of unconditional love for your cat and the desire to suffocate him or her with hugs and kisses, but it’s hard to tell if that love is reciprocated.
So how do you get your cat to like you?
In this article, we’ll explore how our cats see us and our homes, and how they show loyalty. We’ll help you maximize your human-cat relationship and help your cat love you even more.
For those of you who haven’t spent much time with cats or consider yourself a “dog lover,” these tips will help build confidence and teach you valuable things about cats.
How to make a cat fall in love with you?
Most people think of cats as mysterious and complicated, but once you appreciate them and gain their trust, they will always be loyal to you. Some will even follow you around the house endlessly, while others may bring you “gifts” and give you cat hugs.
Here are some ways to make a cat fall in love with you.
#1 Inspires positive and caring human-cat interactions.
Have you ever noticed that people who don’t like or are allergic to cats are often cats’ favorite people? Just because they don’t seem like a threat.
Cats are solitary animals who like to be controlled. Consider a “less is more” approach and make him or her responsible for social interactions with you and your family.
Provide positive, consistentand always predictable human-cat social interactions.
Remain calm and confident, avoid sudden movements, and refrain from any aggressive behavior.
Our feline companions can feel anxious or depressed, and they may run away and hide if they feel scared. Do not follow them or retrieve them from their hideouts. Respect their privacy.
- avoid staring into the cat’s eyes and walk straight towards him or her. Instead, blink slowly and wait for him or her to blink and move closer to you.
- when greeting, Squat down to the height of the cat, gently smell with relaxed fingers, let the cat stretch its head towards you. This motion mimics the familiar cat nose-to-nose sniff.
- when processing, avoid leaning on or reaching over the cat as much as possible, use the sideways approach and divert your gaze (to keep the cat from feeling threatened). Cats generally prefer low-intensity and high-frequency treatments. Respect their wishes and body language.
- If your cat is hesitant to approach you, Gently toss treats nearby Help them associate your presence with a positive interaction.
#2 Expression of naturally predatory behavior is encouraged.
Encourage your cat to exercise and express their normal predatory behaviors (stalking, pouncing, catching, rewarding) through play. Try motion sensors and interactive toys, Nina Ottosson Treat Puzzle Gamesnuff pads, Dapurpelimaginative vertical towers and cardboard castles.
Foraging is stimulated by hiding food in various locations. Cats more naturally sweep and eat small meals from multiple positions, contributing to mental and physical stimulation.
Cats naturally have a tendency to explore, forage, climb, hunt and patrol their territory. Fenced cat-friendly gardens, harness and leash walks, and portable pens are all suitable settings for this type of behavior.
Most cats tend to avoid endless spaces, which can make them feel seen and vulnerable. Confident, adventurous cats, however, may enjoy hiking outdoors.
Also Read: 10 Best Slow and Puzzle Feeders for Cats
#3 Teach a new trick.
You can train your cat to perform many tricks that help reduce fear, anxiety and depression. Training also strengthens the bond between humans and animals. Unlike dogs, cats do not take well to coercion or petting as rewards. Some cats are food-driven or toy-driven and can be trained with clickers or targets.
Also read: 5 Simple Tips for Teaching Cats
Once you’ve figured out which treats or rewards they want most, start with short meetings lasting a few minutes each day. Recent research suggests that teaching cats to do simple tasks, such as extending their paws, sitting down, or high-fives, may be an effective way to reduce frustration in rescue homes and indoor cats.
#4 beware of anthropomorphism
Learn as much as you can about felines and what motivates their behavior.
“Mommy,” but don’t let your cats suffocate with emotion and closeness, and don’t pick them up unless necessary.
Provide flexibility for your cat to maintain a sense of control during social encounters. Select to initiate the interaction and leave if desired.
Cats like to hide and sleep undisturbed, respecting their need for space and tranquility – don’t take it to heart as they prefer to be left alone.
#5 Improve your cat’s environment!
Improving your pet’s environment means providing them not only with a safe home that meets their specific needs, but also with a “natural” environment that meets their personal and instinctive needs.
Cats love life in three dimensions. Heights are not only enjoyable and a form of exercise, but also necessary as a safety platform and protection from predators.
Also read: How to make a cat fall in love with you in 3 easy steps?
An aromatic stimulus consisting of garden leaves and herbs such as catnip or catnip can be established for your cat indoors or hidden in a box.
recent study It was concluded that cat enclosures provide a practical solution for indoor and free-roaming cats, eliminate the requirement for strays, and are associated with positive changes in cat quality of life and safety concerns for owners.
#6 Inspire a daily consistent human-cat relationship
A positive cat-human relationship works for both species, it strengthens the love and bond we share with each other. Research shows that pet owners who bond more closely with their pets visit the veterinarian more frequently, are more likely to provide preventive care, and are more likely to try their veterinarian’s recommendations (Lue et al., 2008).
All you need to do is maintain predictability and routine to minimize stress, which contributes to their overall health and wellbeing.
Put them in charge of social interaction, provide opportunities for play (and eventually hunting behavior), and understand your cat’s needs. Give them plenty of time to learn about new situations, places, children and others.
#7 Introducing novelty items and encounters
Cats are exploratory animals; they use their sense of smell in many behaviors. They respond differently to the same smell when detected at different times. Therefore, cats enjoy the regular introduction of novel foods, objects and encounters.
For supervised olfactory enrichment activities using herbs and/or silver vine, scent sticks made of PVC tubing scented with lavender or chamomile, fresh grass clippings and valerian can be added.
try fresh foods like melon, watermelonspinach, lettuce, cabbage and raw meat (those fed wet/dry food).
Also read: What Fruits Can Cats Eat?
Experiment with plant materials like twigs, hay, straw, and indoor cats on a leash or stroller (once they are completely desensitized to the equipment).
#8 Participate in daily interactive games
Interactive playtime mimics predatory behavior and should be part of your daily routine. Play encourages exercise, reduces boredom, helps maintain a normal body weight, and prevents behavioral problems, which is especially important for indoor cats.
Don’t be discouraged if your cat is not a lap cat.
Many longhaired breeds and certain semi-longhaired cats can overheat while sitting on our laps. Don’t feel bad that your cat isn’t sitting on your lap, you should feel complimented when he or she shares the couch with you.
Dealing with negative reactions by watching for warning body language signs, aggressive voices, and walking away will help build trust and develop positive relationships.
in conclusion
As the human-cat relationship develops, life becomes harder, people become more isolated, and we turn to our cats for comfort, and this connection can become more complicated. It is important not to subject our cats to our emotions and make them cats.
Each cat and its owner develop a unique language and connection that they all understand but that others don’t share.
By understanding the likes and dislikes of each of our cats, and then allowing them to dictate the quality and amount of interaction, may be the key to making this relationship perfect.
frequently asked questions
How do you bond with your cat?
Learn as much as you can about cats as a species, observe their body language and behavior, and interpret it from a feline perspective.
Socialization time and physical contact through play and exercise increases the bond between humans and animals.
Provide your cat with hiding space and food rewards. Always encourage positive behavior.
Make sure you have enough resources in your home, in sufficient quantities, and in different locations. Cats who like regular, slow, gentle brushing and exposure may appreciate a massage. Massage the hair by stroking it along its fiber. Massage can boost the immune system, relieve stress, pass on the psychological benefits of touch to your cat, improve emotional health, and overtime can reduce muscle aches and pains and increase your friendships.
Value that your cat needs to be familiarized with new places, situations and people on their terms and on their own time.
Do cats feel love when you kiss them?
Cats are emotionally sensitive; they feel joy, fear and depression just like people. They are likely to feel love through touch and can usually tolerate a kiss on the top of the head, but dislike being kissed on the mouth. Cats sniff, touch and groom each other, but not in the traditional human sense.
Many cats lick their owners regularly, and according to scientists, the possible explanation is that the cats are trying to convey something to their owners about their relationship (most likely affection).
Kissing is the way humans express love. It’s important that we don’t anthropomorphize by attributing human traits and emotions to our cats – learning to love our cats differently can be equally beneficial!
view resources
Bradshaw, J. (2013, September 14). Not just felines. (N. Scientist, Compiler) UK. Retrieved on May 27, 2020
Care, IC (February 2019). Cat friendly garden. (IC Care, compiler) UK. Retrieved on May 28, 2020
Hall, V. (2012). Cats and people – building the right relationship. U.K. Retrieved on May 26, 2020
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Specifically, my research investigates how the configuration and composition of landscapes influence the movement and population dynamics of forest birds. Both natural and human-derived fragmenting of habitat can influence where birds settle, how they access the resources they need to survive and reproduce, and these factors in turn affect population demographics. Most recently, I have been studying the ability of individuals to move through and utilize forested areas which have been modified through timber harvest as they seek out resources for the breeding and postfledging phases. As well I am working in collaboration with Parks Canada scientists to examine in the influence of high density moose populations on forest bird communities in Gros Morne National Park. Many of my projects are conducted in collaboration or consultation with representatives of industry and government agencies, seeking to improve the management and sustainability of natural resource extraction.