Content

• Part 2 of 3: Building contact with your cat
• Part 3 of 3: Networking in other ways
• Tips
• Warnings

1 Learn to understand the body language of the animal. To strengthen your relationship with your cat, you need to be able to recognize her emotions. The first step is to learn your pet's body language.

• When the cat feels safe and confident, its pupils are dilated, the back is slightly arched, the head is in front, the tail is up. If you see your pet walking in this way, know that he is most likely in a great mood, and this is a good time to interact with him.
• In a relaxed state, the cat stretches out by lying on its side or back. At the same time, her ears are raised, her mustache hangs down the sides of her muzzle, and her paws can be bent from pleasure. At this time, you can also contact the animal, but be careful with petting. When cats are relaxed, they assume an open posture, and physical contact can be perceived by them as an attempt to attack.
• If a cat puffs up its fur, arches its back in an arc, its pupils have narrowed, and its tail walks from side to side, this means that it is in an aggressive mood. For some reason, the animal feels threatened and needs to be alone. In this case, do not try to contact the animal until it calms down.
• When a cat is alarmed, it tries to be less visible by squatting and wrapping its tail around its body. The animal bends its paws, preparing to run if necessary, its pupils are enlarged, and its ears are set apart. In this case, do not touch the cat, as she is nervous and needs free space.
• When the cat prepares to defend itself, its ears are pressed to its head, it bares its fangs and lies on its side, showing its claws and jaws. If you get close to the cat at such a moment, it may suddenly pounce on you, so wait for the animal to calm down. In this mood, the cat may scratch you.

2 Use your gaze to convince the cat that you are not a threat to her. Cats communicate with humans through eye contact. Unfortunately, many people do not understand this and often frighten animals against their will, staring at them intently. You should know how to show your cat your friendly intentions with a glance.

• They often complain that cats are drawn to those who do not love them. These people tend to just ignore cats. And since cats do not like direct glances, perceiving them as a demonstration of threat, they fearlessly approach people who do not look at them.
• Lie down beside your pet when he is in a relaxed state. Look at the cat, and when she looks back at you, slowly close your eyes and open them again, doing this several times. Wait for the animal to do the same.
• If the cat has turned away from you, this is a good sign, which means that she does not perceive you as a threat and trusts you. If this does not happen, look away so that the animal does not think that you are challenging him. It may take several tries before the cat feels safe and looks away.

3 Study your pet's personality. Unlike dogs, cats are not very attached to their owner. Although the relationship with the owner may be important in a cat's life, it is not as essential as in the case of dogs. Cats differ in the degree of bond they need with their owner. To build a relationship with your cat, try to better understand its nature.

• Some cats show strong affection, seeking to be near their owner more often. Others, on the other hand, may spend most of their day in solitude. Don't force your pet to communicate when he doesn't want to. Cats are independent animals that cannot be re-educated.
• Likewise, the degree of physical activity of cats varies. Some cats like to play and require movement, while others are not interested in toys. Again, don't force your pet to do anything. Although a cat can be weaned from certain behaviors, such as scratching and biting, the basic traits of its character do not lend themselves to change. However, you should play with the animal for at least 5-10 minutes every day to keep it in good physical shape.

Part 2 of 3: Building contact with your cat

1. 1 Wait for the animal to approach you on its own. You should never pet a pet without first being convinced of his consent. Cats do not like this, and they may perceive such actions as an invasion of their personal space. The animal must express its willingness to communicate with you.
   • Let the cat invite you to socialize. When your pet is ready to contact you, he will show this with his behavior. The cat can rub its whole body or cheek against you, while lifting its tail high. There are scent glands on the cheeks and sides of the body of cats, and when rubbing against you, the animal marks you with its scent. This is a sign of affection and friendship, indicating that the animal is ready for contact.
   • If the cat is approaching you, reach out to see if the cat is interested in companionship. Let her sniff your hand before you try to touch her.
   • Don't rush things. Just sit in the chair and the cat will come to you when ready. Premature contact can stress the animal and disrupt the achieved rapport.
2. 2 Pay attention to the animal's reaction to contact. Once your pet has shown that he is willing to be petted, you need to make sure he is relaxed and happy with what is happening. Cats show pleasure or displeasure with their body language. Learn this language.
   • Unlike dogs, cats do not wag their tails when they feel pleasure. If your pet wiggles its tail during petting, you are doing something wrong. In this case, try stroking a different part of the body, changing the direction of movement or the applied force.
   • Cats show pleasure and trust in a variety of ways. Your pet may be clawing at something soft or even your clothes. Sometimes cats lick and bite the owner's hand as a sign of affection. The animal may also bump its head or rub its cheeks and sides against you.
3. 3 Don't caress your cat's belly. Sometimes cats stretch out by lying on their backs with their belly up. Some of them like it when people touch their belly, or at least tolerate, but most cats do not like it. If you are dealing with an unfamiliar cat, do not touch its belly.
   • Cats expose their belly for several reasons. When competing with another cat, this gesture means a threat.At the same time, the animal releases its claws on its hind legs, preparing for protection.
   • However, the cat can show its belly as a sign of trust. The belly of a cat is its weak point, since many important internal organs are hidden behind it. Therefore, showing the belly indicates that the animal feels safe and trusts you. However, this sign is not an invitation to contact.
   • Many cats, when touching their belly, instinctively release their claws and defend themselves. Therefore, it is better not to touch the belly, especially if you are dealing with an unfamiliar cat.
4. 4 Brush your pet's coat. Many cats like to have their fur brushed out; they perceive it as affection that makes them feel safe and comfortable. This is good for your pet's health as well, as it helps to cleanse debris and skin secretions from its fur, promoting blood circulation in the skin.
   • For short-haired cats, use a metal comb. Brush the coat from head to tail. Comb out individual areas, gradually moving along the entire body and grasping the chest and abdomen.
   • Long-haired cats need to be brushed more often as their coats are often matted. Start from the belly, gradually working your way up to the neck. Brush the back and tail from both sides, not in the middle. Use a cat-friendly hair detangler available at your pet store to remove tangles.
   • When brushing the animal's fur, observe the condition of its skin. Look out for bumps, bruises, and scratches, especially if your cat is out of the house. Watch for fleas or ticks. If it is not possible to find the fleas themselves, their presence can be noticed by the small bleeding marks from the bites they leave on the skin.

Part 3 of 3: Networking in other ways

1. 1 Play with your cat daily. This is another great way to bond with your pet. The cat will become even more attached to you, associating your presence with a fun pastime.
   • The bird hunting game involves a cat trying to catch (and eventually catches) a toy with feathers scurrying about in the air. This game is interesting for the animal, it is good for maintaining physical shape and develops the inherent hunting instinct of the cat.
   • There are special toys stuffed with catnip, a herb that stimulates the activity of cats. If your pet is not interested in play, get toys stuffed with catnip in the form of mice, rabbits, or simple balls.
   • Early morning or late evening is best for playing. At this time of day, cats are most active; in addition, after a lively evening game, the animal will fall asleep more easily. Even if you are busy with other things at this time, just give the cat toys with which she can play without your participation.
   • It is recommended to play with it for at least 5-10 minutes daily to prevent the animal from gaining excess weight and maintaining good physical shape.
2. 2 Train your pet in simple tricks. This is possible with time and patience. Cats are not as susceptible to encouragement and praise from their owner as dogs, but they do lend themselves to training. In the process of teaching your cat any tricks, you will become even closer to her.
   • Reward your pet with your favorite treats. Cats are quite picky about their food, and their preferences vary. You can experiment with different foods to find what works best for your pet. Buy different treats from the supermarket or pet store and find out which ones your cat prefers.
   • Start by teaching your cat simple actions at your command. After the animal completes the required action, say its name out loud, praise the cat and reward it with something tasty. Suppose you want your cat to learn to stand up on its hind legs in response to the command "Ask!"Seeing that your pet is on its hind legs, say: "Ask!", Praise him and treat him with some delicacy. Eventually, the cat will begin to associate the command with the appropriate behavior.
   • After the animal begins to respond correctly to the command, practice. The link between receiving a command and executing it should be reinforced. Learn only one command at a time, practicing no more than 10-15 minutes.
   • Use a clicker - a small device that makes a click when you press a button. Use the clicker when the animal feeds itself after successfully completing the command. Over time, you will be able to do without treats: the cat will learn to follow commands without waiting for constant reward in the form of food.
   • When the cat has learned one command, move on to learning the next. You can teach your pet to sit, lie down, stand up, voice, and even more complex commands. For example, some cats can be leash-trained. Get creative.
   SPECIALIST'S ADVICE

   

   Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

   
   
   Veterinarian, Royal College of Veterinary Surgery Dr. Elliot, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal care. Graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in Veterinary Medicine and Surgery. Has been working in the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

   Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
   Veterinarian, Royal College of Veterinary Surgery

   Pippa Elliot, an experienced veterinarian, explains: “When you find the perfect treat, it’s much easier to train your cat. This approach also provides mental stimulation to the animal, which not only reduces episodes of bad behavior, but also strengthens its bond with the owner. "

3. 3 Create a comfortable environment for the animal. Your cat is more likely to bond with you if it feels comfortable. Create a warm, welcoming atmosphere around her to make her feel safe.
   • If you can, give the animal a separate room. Place toys, a litter box, bowls of food and water, and a cat's sleeping place in it; keep this room open so your pet can go in and out of it whenever he wants. If you are unable to give your cat a separate room, give her a place in your house, for example, a corner of the room or a built-in closet, where she will be comfortable.
   • Cats love secluded places where they can hide. This does not necessarily mean that they are scared. The animal may just want to be alone for a while. Buy a cat house or make one yourself from cardboard boxes and tape.
4. 4 Try to make it easier for your pet to make any changes. Cats don't like a change of scenery. If you need to make any changes, try to make them gradually.
   • If you are going to live with someone, have that person visit your home several times and interact with the cat before moving in with you. Make sure the cat is comfortable with the new person and that he understands and respects her interests.
   • If you are moving in with someone or simply changing your place of residence, visit the new home with your cat as much as possible before moving in.
   • Introduce your cat to other pets gradually, step by step. First, separate your cat from other pets by allowing them to communicate only through a closed door. After a week, let them look at each other. Remain calm in the event of a conflict. Getting used to new conditions and surroundings is not an easy process, which can take several weeks.

Tips

• While caressing and playing with the cat, talk to the animal in a calm, affectionate tone. This will reassure your pet that you are not dangerous and will associate your voice with positive emotions.
• Food and treats can help establish contact with the animal.You should not overfeed your cat, but from time to time you can offer her some tasty food in order to lure her out of hiding or to persuade her to communicate with you.
• Any kind of verbal communication, including communication, is a great way to help your cat get to know you. When petting your pet, talk to him or even hum something to make the pet more comfortable in your presence.
• If you catch a cat staring at you, look back in her eyes and blink slowly. This is the so-called "feline kiss", which is a sign of friendliness.

Warnings

• Cats are immune to reprimands and punishments. Never scold or hit your cat - this will scare her and will only lead to the fact that she will avoid you.