I am the Crazy Cat Lady or “Crazy Cat Person,” as I have been admonished. People tend to think of cats as antisocial and aloof, but that’s not true. Cats are just different than their more social companions, dogs. It takes time and patience to bond with your cat, but these 5 tips can help.
5 Ways to Bond With Your Cat
1. Realize Cats Have Different Personalities. We have a cat who loves to be around us, curling up in our lap whenever possible. We also have a failed foster cat who was abused. After two years she trusts us enough to rub against us when we are sitting down, lie down in the same room with us and submit to an occasional petting. She will never be a lap cat, but by allowing her to come to us when she wants attention, we’ve made her feel safe, secure and much friendlier. Attempting to force a cat to interact with you could lead to bad consequences, like scratching or biting.
2. Allow your Cat to Have Her Own Space. Many cats are introverts and prefer to have a safe space where they can retreat and nap, usually in a high spot. Allowing the cat time away to relax and unwind while create a happier cat.
3. Try to Avoid Touching Your Cat’s Stomach. Many cats feel threatened when you pet their stomach, while some cats love it. If your cat shows displeasure with having his stomach petted, try another area.
4. Play with Your Cat Each Day. Try to spend a few minutes of “one on one” time with your cat daily. Wait until he is relaxed and give him a toy to bat or use a laser pointer for chasing. If a cat is shy, leave toys on the floor and let him approach the toys.
5. Give them treats. Nothing shows a cat you love them more than food! My cats know the word for “Treats” and come running through the house whenever they hear the word. They all have a special place where their treats are shared and they go directly to their spot. It’s so funny to watch because the only family member they respond to when someone says “treats” is me. It’s even more fun to give them treats when they are attached to a toy, like the Friskies® Pull ‘n Play Cat Treats Play Pack.
What are your best tips for bonding with your cat?
Want to pamper your pet? Enter the PureLoveforPets.com Purina’s Summer Blockbusters contest, featuring their new lineup of Purina products including Friskies® Pull ‘n Play Cat Treats Play Pack, Dentalife Daily Oral Care Dog Treats, and Muse® MasterPieces. You can participate in the instant win game for a chance to receive a dog or cat sample box filled with goodies! Be sure to check your local Sunday newspaper on July 31st for Purina coupons. Who doesn’t want to save money?
Be sure to play the instant win game AND enter here for a chance to win a Dog Sample Box Giveaway (approx. $20 value).
The prize pack includes:
Purina® Busy® with Beggin’® Twist’d!
Purina® Dentalife Daily Oral Care Dog Treat
Beneful Originals with Beef
Dog Chow ® Natural Plus Vitamins & Minerals
Puppy Chow ® Natural Plus Vitamins & Minerals
Purina ONE® SmartBlend® True Instinct Classic Ground with Real Turkey & Venison
Purina ONE® SmartBlend® True Instinct Tender Cuts in Gravy with Real Chicken & Duck Beyond® All Natural Grain Free White Meat Chicken Cutlets
I like to snuggle with them as much as possible.
Oh I have to say play ball wit them! Our lab rescues we adopted love to chase tennis balls….we have so much fun!
Take them out for walks.
Pingback: litter box training tips kitten cat
Give them treats!! For some reason I do this with my dogs my not my cat.
I have my cat sit in my lap when I’m on the computer so we can spend time together
I talk to Buster, my cat, constantly–I think he likes the verbal attention!
I take my dog out for lots of walks which he loves and we play catch a lot
I’ve always longed and wished for a cat, they seem like such mysterious, smart pets, unfortunately I’m allergic. 🙁
Thanks for sharing the tips. I wish I could have a pet.
I love my kitty and don’t know what I would do without him. I do most of what you have on the list!
Brushing my cats has always helped us bond and has always helped with trust issues of some of my stray cats too.
I never knew that some cats really didn’t like their belly touched. That is an awesome tip that I will have to pass on.
I’m not much of a cat person anymore but the thought of trying to bond seems impossible! lol
Interact with them often, pet them, play with them, give them treats. I love my fur-babies!!!
We had a herd of cats growing up, and they were all so different. These are great tips for bonding. They’d work for me too, especially the treats part!
We got a cat this year. He’s very old, has permanent injuries and took a long time to warm up to us. He’s pretty darn cozy now, but he doesn’t play. At all. I keep hoping he’ll warm up to that too. It’d do his heart good. 🙂 He only comes out when we’re here, never guests. And he loves my son like no other. Those two are buds.
My cat LOVES his stomach being played with. We definitely give him his own space just so he can be crazy.
I have 5 cats and one dog in all cases, my best tip, is always make time for them. Walk your dog, play with and pet the cats, show them love!
Unfortunately, we are currently catless at our house now. Our one and only cat passed away a couple of weeks ago. I guess the process of bonding will start all over when we get another cat.
I guess all in all, it’s all about understanding what you cat needs and how they react to certain things. you’re absolutely right, no cat is the same!
We don’t have a cat (husband is allerfic) but I grew up with lots of them and I mi-ss having one. Great tips.
Aww this is such a cute post and makes me miss the cats we used to own in the past. Great giveaway too.
Cats are adorable and very wonderful creature. However, I don’t have one due to allergy issues at home.
I’m anti cats because I am afraid and they know it. Despite all of that I never knew cats hate having their stomachs touched. That is good information for me to know.
Great post! Love your tips. I’m always wondering when a cat is sad or happy because they’re normally quiet, but i love it when they want your attention.
I like your tips, but I don’t have a cat. I will share this with my friend.
These are great cat tips and my daughter is about to adopt two so I’ll have to have her come read this
These are great tips to bond with your cat and I love the giveaway. Thanks for sharing this!
This is so wonderful. My girls really want a cat so this is a great read for us.
These are great tips. We have two cats that are part of our family. They are very loved.
I just try to give me cats space – Usually when they want attention, they find their way over to me on their own : )
Cats are so adorable. I had one long long ago. I have a dog now, but some of these tips may apply to my little doggie
Every cat really does have its own personality. I have one who never wants to be around people and was certain she hated me for years.
I blink slowly at my cats…it lets them know I love them <3
I have another way! Watch the new cat movie with Kevin Spacey! Just kidding, this was a sweet post.
I find the stomach point so interesting. Both of the my cats LOVE belly scratches.
my best tip is to spend time and be kind and patient with your pet-speak calmly as well-tone of voice has alot to do with how well you bond in my opinion
These are adorable ways to bond with your cat, I love it. I hear cats have quite the personality!
I really miss my cat. When my ex and I split up I left him with the ex because he was raised in that house and I didn’t want to upset him with a move. Sometimes I think that was a bad idea.
My best friend is actually thinking of getting a cat! Her very first. I should show her this article!
Such Great Tips I Just Got My First Kitty For The Kids Thank You!! Love THe Giveaway!
My best tip is talk to them, share your day with them and be honest.
This is really helpful advice. We’re still getting to know our newest kitten. She is so different from our first one.
We try to play with them and just be friendly with them.
bonding tip is talking daily walks and plenty of toys
My 3 cats and I are super best buds. We just love each other to pieces, however sometimes I could use a little space from them haha. They are always on me and so loving, and while I love it – it makes getting things done a little rough!
I have 3 cats and they are all so different. My old man cat just likes to be loved, my female likes to be left alone, and Bob (yes Bob) loves everything and everyone.
This is such a great post! My cat loves to relax at the foot of our bed. Probably because its right next to the window!
These are great tips. I don’t have any pets, but if I did I would want a cat.
Cats are so cute! My cousins used to have a kitty when I was growing up and we used to have so much fun playing with her! These are great tips to bond with a cat!
I spend a lot of time with mine and play with each of them everyday
My tip is to spend as much time as you can with your pets. They are like people. They appreciate attention
My best tip is to spend a lot of time with them. They all need attention and time with us. They love it and look forward to it every day.
Our beloved Mr. Kitty lived a long, pampered life. I still miss him and these are all wonderful ways to bond with your cat. I have a personalized ornament that I hang on the tree each year in honor of our wonderful pet.
My tip is to give them treats, they will warm right up!
Aww, I love this. Most people think cats are aloof. I think they’re just misunderstood.
lots of playing and cuddles if they like this i have a dog that loves being cuddled and a cat that does not want to be held at all
My best tip is to spend time with them playing or just having them on your lap and cuddling. My dog loves the affection.
I have two dogs and a cat. We bond with him by playing with him. My dogs are like my kids, we go for walks, we play and they love to go for car rides. I guess my tip would be to make sure you interact with your animals.