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Ways to Get Your Cat to Like You

Mar 30, 2022

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Lifestyle

Like so many other humans, you might find cats to be mysterious creatures. But believe it or not, it’s not that hard to make friends with a feline if you know what to do. Here are some tips on how to effectively buddy up with a kitty, drawn from scientific studies and my own experience as a researcher and cat behavioral consultant. 

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Cats have unique personalities, but they all speak the same language. Learn how to get a cat to like you, and you’ll quickly befriend every cat you meet, whether you’re adopting a new kitten or visiting a friend’s house. With simple ways, you can easily become a “cat whisperer.”
Transcript
Slide 1Overview
Like so many other humans, you might find cats to be mysterious creatures. But
believe it or not, it’s not that hard to make friends with a feline if you know what to
do. Here are some tips on how to effectively buddy up with a kitty, drawn from
scientific studies and my own experience as a researcher and cat behavioral
consultant.
Avoid Direct
Eye Contact
Unlike dogs, cats aren't comfortable gazing into your eyes, Radosta says. Cats see
direct eye contact as a sign you're trying to intimidate them. In response, they may
become fearful or aggressive. Although they're gorgeous, avoid staring into a cat's
peepers.
your cat
You should make a point of interacting with your cat. Research indicates that cats
will more frequently approach and play with a person who is attentive to them
compared to a person who is ignoring them.
Approach a cat
the way they
other
Felines who are friendly with each other greet each other nose to nose. You can
mimic that behavior by offering a non-threatening fingertip at their nose level, a
few inches away. Don’t hover, just bend down and gently extend your hand. Many
cats will walk up and sniff your finger, and may even rub into it. Now that's a
successful greeting.
Slow Blink
Scientists have found that cats like it when you slowly blink at them (think:
narrowing your eyes in slow motion). A recent study found that cats would slow-
blink back to a person giving them the look. It makes them more likely to approach
you too and is certainly worth a try!
Play with your
cat
When your cat is in the mood to hang out with you, don’t always make it about
cuddles. Try playing with your cat at least once a day to help stimulate your cat’s
mind and build healthy interactions. If you both look forward to playtime, it will
help strengthen your bond.
play
Figure out what’s most fun for your particular cat, because they’re all different. Vitale
says that some like passive playing, when they just sit and watch the toy you’re
moving around, so if your cat is interested but doesn’t seem to be participating, don’t
give up. Others like actively chasing the toy.
Train your cat to
feelings
Whenever your cat has a good experience with you—getting attention, playing a fun
game, being fed a special treat. If you pay attention to your cat, play with them, and
give them rewards for coming to you, all of these experiences will help build a healthy
relationship.This allows the cat to see you are associated with positive things, which
may increase the amount of time they spend with you.
Be strategic
about offering
treats
If your cat tends to keep his distance from you, Vitale suggests using treats to build up
trust.
Start by leaving the treats out at a distance, and then, as your kitty gets braver,
putting them closer and closer to you. “You can also try talking softly to the cat as
they eat the treats so they associate your voice with rewards
Don’t try to buy
love with food
Although treats can be one way to your cat’s heart, be careful to avoid overfeeding
(which can lead to health problems including obesity) and also to resist rewarding
undesirable behavior with snacks. If the cat just jumped up on the counter and cried
for food, giving them treats rewards that begging behavior. If the cat is sitting quietly
looking out the window, giving them treats rewards that calm behavior. Pick your
timing carefully!
your cat
Even if you don’t like a behavior, yelling at your cat or spraying her with water is less
likely to make the cat stop than it is to make your pet stressed and unhappy around
you. Instead, focus your efforts on teaching your cat alternative behavior. If your cat
is jumping on the table, for example, resist the urge to shoo her off; instead, try to
lure your pet with the promise of a special treat for coming down to the floor.
Try brushing
your cat
Again, if your cat doesn’t like being brushed, don’t do it—avoid stressful and
unpleasant interactions whenever you can. Some cats love to be brushed; others hate
it! If yours loves it, brushing gives you another opportunity to have up-close, personal
interactions that give your cat good associations with you. “For those who like it, then
being brushed will be a positive social interaction that helps build a healthy
relationship between cat and owner.
Respect a Cat's
Space
When you move toward a cat, it can come off as threatening. That's why cats often
gravitate toward the people who most want to avoid them (hello, allergies). If you
want to earn a cat's affection, wait for her to come to you rather than reaching out
and petting or picking her up.
Speak Softly
Of course yelling at a cat isn't helpful. But even loud, energetic talking can be
frightening to kitties, sending them running for cover. If you speak softly and exude
calm, a cat is more likely to want to stick around.
Scratch the
Right Spots
When a cat welcomes attention, stick to petting where it's most likely to make a kitty
feel good. The best area to pet is from the top of the head to the shoulders, where
kitties normally groom each other. Some cats also like to be petted on the back. But if
you see the cat's tail start to thrash, it's a warning that the cat is tolerating it, but not
loving it. And don't even think about belly rubs—very few cats like to be touched
there.
they like it most
They're very sensitive to touch, and generally, they tend to like being petted in some
places more than others. A small 2002 study demonstrated that cats showed more
positive responses—like purring, blinking, and kneading their paws—to petting on
the forehead area and the cheeks. They were more likely to react negatively—by
hissing, swatting, or swishing their tails—when petted in the tail area. A more
recent 2021 study validated these findings with a larger sample size—and many
owners can testify to these preferences.
Don't overfeed
your cat
Many think that food equals love, and that withholding food might make your kitty
hate you, but a 2016 study of obese felines from Cornell University showed the
opposite is true—at least for a period of time. About a month after 58 overweight
kitties were placed on a diet, three-quarters of their owners reported that their
dieting felines were more affectionate, purred more often, and were more likely to
sit in their owner's lap.
Don’t assume
an only cat
Whether or not a cat is happy around other felines is really unpredictable. Some cats
will feel more secure as the only cat in the house, and others will feel more secure in a
multi-cat household.A shy kitty might come out of his shell if you adopt a companion
cat, but you can’t count on it.
Make sure your
place to hide
No matter how much you love your cat, she must have a space of her own, where
your pet can retreat if your affection stresses her out. “Allowing them to have their
own space where they can deposit their scent will help cats feel more secure in the
house and may lead to them displaying a healthier bond with their owner. So when
your cat runs off to hide in that special bed in the den, don’t chase her. Instead, trust
that your pet is getting the alone time she needs to relax so that she will be ready to
play and cuddle with you later.
If you have a
people
If you adopt a cat very young, you can help your kitty get used to people by handling
her regularly. We do know that cats that are properly socialized to humans as kittens
display less fear of humans and more social behavior. Pet the kitten all over (as long as
your pet is comfortable—as always, leave animals alone if they get aggressive),
including on the feet, while speaking to the kitten in a calm voice. Offer good treats at
the end of a session.
Wear soft
clothes
Laying together is a powerful way to bond with a cat. All you have to do is sit or lay
near it; many cats will naturally come close to take advantage of your warmth. Don’t
pick up an unfamiliar cat or place them in your lap. Let it happen organically, on the
cat’s own terms. Sitting still, in a relaxed pose, is the easiest way to become a cat’s
target for snuggling.
Fake a yawn
Cats may yawn to communicate with other cats. It’s their way of saying, “I’m
relaxed, we’re safe!” Yawning shows that you are not a threat, and communicates
that you are in a calm, relaxed state. Yawning is contagious between species, so you
just might get a yawn in return.
Get a box
Cats are instinctively drawn to boxes. Set down a cardboard box next to you and wait
for the cat to leap inside. Curling up inside an enclosed space lowers the cat’s stress
levels and makes them feel safe. Once they’ve settled into the box, you may decide to
reach a hand inside to stroke them, or you can use a toy to play “peek a boo” over the
edge if the cat is feeling playful.
Conclusion
Cats have unique personalities, but they all speak the same language. Learn how to
get a cat to like you, and you’ll quickly befriend every cat you meet, whether
you’re adopting a new kitten or visiting a friend’s house. With simple ways, you can
easily become a “cat whisperer.”