Sunday, May 26, 2013

Seven Tips to Help You Bond with Your Cat

Most dogs are quite easy to win over, but cat psychology is rather complex. If you want to experience the full extent of the love and companionship cats can provide, take these seven tips into consideration.

1. Pet your cat frequently, but monitor its body language. Cats love to be stroked, and common favorite spots include the back, under the chin and behind the ears. If your cat is arching its back or purring while you pet it, this means your attention is appreciated. However, if your cat starts swatting its tail or ducks out of your way, leave your pet alone for a while and try again later. If you try to force your cat to be stroked, it will grow to resent you and attempt to avoid you.
Seven Tips to Help You Bond with Your Cat
2. Avoid looming over your cat. If your cat seems unsure or skittish, it’s important not to chase it in order to try and have contact with it. Instead, go down to the cat’s level by sitting on the floor, and try to coax it to come over to your area by extending your hand or offering a treat. This method is much less threatening.

3. Take charge of feeding. Feeding a cat helps the bonding process, as your pet will come to associate the person who feeds her with nourishment and care. By feeding your cat at regular, predictable intervals, you teach it that it can rely on you for the nutrients it needs. However, it’s important not to give cats human food in order to win them over, as many ingredients in our foods can cause illness or digestive discomfort in our feline friends.

4. Never spank or yell at your cat. Cats do not learn from being punished in this way. If you raise your voice or are physically violent, this will only terrify your cat and make it very difficult to bond with in the future. Refusing to pay attention to your cat or moving it to a different room are more effective responses to bad behavior.

5. Find your cat’s favorite toy. Experiment with lots of different toys in order to figure out what gets your cat excited. Most cats love “teasers” that have feathers on the end of a stick, or long snakes of fabric attached to a pole (though these toys should be kept out of reach when you’re not in the room). Some cats like to chase ping pong balls thrown by their owners. Spending at least an hour per day actively playing with your pet will help to strengthen your bond.

6. Encourage your cat to sit on your lap. It’s extremely pleasurable for both cats and their owners to spend time relaxing in close proximity. If your cat seems sleepy or affectionate and you’re sitting down to read a book or watch television, gently place the cat on your lap and stroke its back. If you’re lucky, it will take a nap on your lap, indicating that it feels safe with you.

7. Do not prolong eye contact. Finally, if you find that you have made direct eye contact with your cat, try to blink slowly or look down. This communicates trust and friendliness, while engaging in a staring match will make your cat feel like you’re trying to be dominant.

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