Content

• Steps
• Advice
• Warning

Cats tend to be more independent by nature than dogs and that makes them appear cold and distant. However, your cat can still be very close to you. That intimacy will help improve and deepen the relationship between you and your baby. Depending on the personality of each cat, it may take a lot of time and patience for them to love and bond with you. Don't worry though - the more you like you, the happier your baby will be, and so will you.

Steps

Part 1 of 2: Establishing positive interactions with your cat

1. 

   Learn your cat's body language. Once you get used to you, your cat will let her know through her body language that she likes you. Understanding that body language helps you determine how comfortable your baby is with you. For example, your baby may rub their head - lower and rub the top of your head against your head or other body part. This is a clear sign that your baby has feelings for you.
   • Cats have scent glands near their ears and so rubbing their head is a way for your baby to store scent on your body. She may also rub her cheeks to mark you with scent. It is one of the ways that your baby likes you.
   • To let you understand that your baby likes you, your cat will likely establish eye contact and gently blink. Eye contact shows that your baby trusts you. Gently blink back to let your baby know that it's mutual trust.
   • Imitating some cat language, such as rubbing her head or gently blinking, will strengthen the bond between you and your cat. At the same time, show your baby that you love her very much.
   • Examples of other affectionate gestures include soft moaning, gently rubbing with your front legs ("stomping your feet" on), sitting on your lap, and licking you.

2. 

   
   
   Give your baby lots of toys. Toys evoke excitement in the home, both physically and mentally by your cat. This abundance is a great way for a cat to become interested in you. Depending on the personality, your baby may prefer certain toys over others. For example, if your baby likes to chase, he or she might like things swaying and shaking.
   • If they are older and / or calmer, they may enjoy something they don't need to run around much, such as a cat stuffed toy, which they can play with while lying down.
   • Don't forget to turn the toy around regularly to keep your cat from becoming bored.
   • If you don't want to spend too much, you can turn common household items into toys for your cat. For example, a toilet paper roll core or a detachable paper bag can be a fun item for your baby.
   • Pay attention to the items are not let your cat play with ribbons, coils, and rubber bands - your baby will probably swallow them. Any of these items can get stuck or wrap your cat's stomach when swallowed. These problems can even lead to death.
   • Also, watch out for toys with small parts that can be disassembled and swallowed by your cat, such as plastic eyes.
   • If you are unsure which toy is best for your baby, consult your vet or local pet store for more advice.

3. 

   
   
   Take time to regularly play with your cat. Cats are often very independent and able to find joy for themselves. However, your baby still needs regular interactions to bond with and like you. Cats are most active at dawn or dusk. Therefore, you should schedule to play with your baby at these times.
   • If your schedule allows, arrange to play with your cat at dawn or dusk, 5 to 15 minutes at a time. Remember that a cat that is older or overweight may not be able to play continuously for long periods of time.
   • Whatever time you play in, make sure that the time is the same every day. As a result, your baby has something to look forward to and you can build and maintain regular, positive bonding sessions with them.

4. 

   
   
   Maintain a regular feeding schedule. You may not realize it, but feeding is a great bonding opportunity. In addition, it is extremely important that your cat see you as your baby's food source. Therefore, instead of having food available all day, you should feed it at certain times.
   • Ideally, the first ingredient in your baby's meal should be protein, such as turkey or chicken.
   • Since there are countless cat food options at your local grocery and pet stores, consult with your veterinarian to determine which foods are best for your cat. Depending on your baby's age and current health, some foods may be a better choice than others.
   • Your cat's age plays a part in determining the number of meals a day. Kittens 6 months and younger should be fed three times a day. From six months to a year of age, it is recommended to feed twice a day. After one year of age, once a day is enough.
   • Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, can also affect your feeding schedule.
   • The amount of food per meal depends on a few different factors, such as your cat's size, activity level, and age. While there is no “one-for-all” approach to dosing, some general advice based on your cat's weight applies to dry foods: 2-2.5 kg (1 / 4 to 1/3 cup), 4.5 kg (3/8 to 1/2 cup) and 7 kg (1/2 to 3/4 cup).
   • Consult with your veterinarian about the amount and type of food to use for your cat.

5. 

   Give your cat treats. Regular treats are also a great way for your baby to love you more. Snacks should only be a small part of your baby's diet (10% to 15% of daily diet) because they have few nutritional benefits. A good rule of thumb is to give your cat treats no more than 2 to 3 times per week.
   • Cat snacks can be found at pet stores or grocery stores.
   • In general, don't give your cat human food. In fact, some human foods (such as grapes, onions, grapes) are toxic to cats and should be kept away from them.
   • Cat peppermint is a great choice for your baby.
   • Snacks are very helpful in rewarding your child's obedience.

6. 

   Pet your cat. Petting is another great way to bond with your cat and make your baby like you. Cats love to be petted near the scent glands: under the chin, the ears close to the head, the cheeks behind the beard, and the body right behind the tail. Your baby can really enjoy when rubbing these areas against your body or objects to mark the territory. Likewise, your baby will love being patted in these areas.
   • Remember that your cat may not want to be petted all the time or for a long time, even if he appears relaxed and satisfied. If your body language tells you that your baby is overly stimulated by petting (dilated pupils, ruffled hair, wagging a dog's tail) or if the baby tries to move away from you, stop and leave the baby alone. Let your baby let you know which pet is right for your baby.
   • When petting, gently stroke your baby's favorite areas with your hand. You can also talk in a calm and gentle voice to make you both feel better.
   • Besides petting, you might consider brushing and bathing if your baby allows. Grooming and bathing are ways to help you learn where your baby likes / dislikes to touch.

7. 

   Interact gently with your cat. It is especially helpful when the baby is shy or stressed. Maintaining a gentle and calm interaction will help your baby get used to and more comfortable with you. For example, you can sit quietly on the floor or read a book on the armchair when your baby is in the same room as you. advertisement

Part 2 of 2: Avoid the things your cat doesn't like

1. 

   Try not to pet the cat's belly. Knowing what your baby dislikes will help you avoid doing things that threaten your bond with your baby. Unlike dogs, cats generally dislike being petted on their stomach. In fact, by doing so, your baby may instinctively react defensively by raising his claw and trying to bite you.
   • In nature, cats are aware that they are hunters and at the same time, prey. The abdomen is home to many important organs and therefore, if not aware of your harmless intentions, when the abdomen is touched, the prey state can be activated and the baby will do everything in its power. to protect that body area.
   • When stretching and exposing the belly area, it seems that the cat is very relaxed and comfortable in its space. However, the baby will probably have a defensive attitude. To be safe, make no mistake that your baby is inviting you to stroke his tummy.
   • While some cats may not mind you doing this, it's best to avoid the belly area and only petting the places you know they like.

2. 

   Don't force your cat to interact with you. As mentioned above, follow your baby's wishes in interacting with you. Forcing your baby to play with or trying to cuddle when he doesn't want to can probably lose the affection he has for you. Your baby may even be scared by not believing that you will respect his or her private space.
   • Not only does it show emotional gestures (groaning ... yeah, rubbing its head), your cat can also let you know when your baby feels enough and wants to be alone. For example, when you start to growling, hissing or spitting up, give your baby some space and be alone until she calms down.
   • Your cat may simply become tired from playing too much and stop playing on its own.
   • If the cat is a timid, shy cat, it is extremely important to avoid forcing her to interact with you.

3. 

   Do not scold or punish your baby. Physical punishment is ineffective because the baby cannot connect his behavior with the punishment. Instead, you can consider embargo periods during which you simply leave the room and not talk or interact with your baby. Very quickly, your baby will realize that behaving in a certain way leads to being ignored (this is a negative consequence in his mind) and stopping.
   • A physical punishment is more likely to make your cat scared and alert you.
   • Instead of yelling, try to say "no" strictly when your baby is not behaving well.
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Advice

• Please be patient! Your cat will decide how comfortable she wants to be with you and when it will happen. So, don't rush and speed up your baby's acquaintance process.
• Remember that not all cats love to be cuddled or cuddled. Pay attention to your baby's body language to see if he wants or likes to be hugged.
• If you have more than one person in your home, be aware that your cat may not bond equally with all members of the family. Maybe the baby will end up liking or getting along with one person better than the other.
• While cat peppermint can help your baby more fun while playing, not all cats will respond the same way to cat mint. Some may be very comfortable while others are overly stimulated and begin to become more aggressive while playing. Follow your cat to see what her reaction is.
• If your cat doesn't seem to be getting closer to you, consider talking with your veterinarian or cat behavior therapist for more guidance on how to bond with your cat.
• When she turns her face away and hides, it's usually the time when your cat wants to rest and relax.
• If your cat has just arrived, don't forget to give her time to explore and get used to your home. Don't worry about losing your baby's shadow for a while, maybe your baby is spotting the dark corner or under your furniture.

Warning

• Coils, ribbons and rubber bands can lead to serious and potentially fatal health problems for cats when swallowed. Keep them out of reach of your cat.