14:13, 14 Apr 2023, author: Ermakova M.

How to win a cat's trust

That cats choose their owners is a repeated phrase that is pretty much true because a cat is never with someone if it doesn't want to be. How to position a cat? Let's tell.

You may have heard that cats choose their owners, not us. However, it is we who decide whether or not to take a kitten (or an adult cat) into our home? Of course, this is true, but the first statement is not entirely wrong. Cats are smart and independent animals, and don't expect them to live with you if they're uncomfortable.

What is the relationship between a cat and a human?

It is very important to understand that cats do not have an owner. That is, the concept of "owner" implies the possession of something, and cats are living beings with whom we live side by side, which do not perceive themselves as "someone else's". Therefore, they have absolutely no obligation to stay with us. Rather, they are social animals that need to be accompanied to feel comfortable and safe. For this reason, these animals choose companions for life, cats choose a guide, one person or several, landmarks to follow, and not the owner. From our point of view, we can call ourselves owners because keeping a cat entails responsibility, but it is logically contradictory to call an animal an object, since it is a subject with its own character and its own motives.

How to position a cat

If you just got a kitten or have already taken an adult cat, and your relationship is not very good, we will tell you how to win the trust of a cat. Try our tips and you will see that the situation will change.

1. Give yourself time to adapt

Whenever there is a change, such as a move, departure of a family member, or a new experience, it is essential to give our feline some time to adjust to the situation. You can't force him to do something he doesn't want to, like leave the place where he hid. Don't put too much pressure on him.

As soon as the cat feels safe, she will show it herself. To do this, give the cat time, but without pressure, so that it does not "close" in itself. Of course, we do not mean special cases, such as when you need to go to the vet.

Your cat will enjoy spending time with you more if she associates your presence with positivity. How? If every time you show up, the experience is good, meaning he gets food, play time, or petting, over time your cat will associate that with you, that only nice things happen to him.

Conversely, if you come home and the space is filled with noise and stressful situations, her attitude towards you will be rather negative. Try to get your cat to have a good time with you every day and you will see how you start to gain her trust.

3. Avoid Punishment

Applying punishment will not only cause your cat to treat you negatively, but it will also increase her stress and anxiety levels, make her appear insecure or depressed, and generally worsen your relationship. Ideally, when raising a cat, you should bet on reinforcing positive behavior.

4. Have daily play sessions

Play is an activity that you should be doing with your cat on a daily basis. This is important not only to improve your connection, but also to stimulate her mind and enrich your daily life. Now in pet stores there is a huge selection of all kinds of toys: fishing rods or toy mice, as well as toys to stimulate the brain, toys that encourage him to play sports and which also improve his reflexes.

5. Offer her all your affection.

Cats are not always grateful to those who care for them and protect them, and sometimes they can behave very aggressively in certain situations. However, undeniably expressing your affection for her, be it kisses, caresses, or kind words, is a good way to make her accept us.

In addition, understanding our own feline nature, patience and perseverance in this pursuit of friendship is very important if we want to strengthen bonds with our cat and win her trust.