Cats need love and affection to live a healthy life. If your cat is cared for and loved properly, it will love you back. This guide will help you develop a loving relationship with your cat.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Understanding Your Cat
Step 1. Treat the cat as an independent animal
While cats need your help to live, they need freedom and personal space. While cats love to be touched, cats don't always want to interact with humans. If you can adjust your cat's interaction time and playtime, your cat will love you even more.
- One of the biggest mistakes cat owners make is treating cats like dogs. Remember, cats and dogs are two different animals!
- Dogs are group animals that were originally domesticated to cooperate with humans, while cats are private animals that originally served humans by killing their prey alone.
- Don't pamper the cat or feel offended if the cat hides from you. Being alone is a cat's nature.
Step 2. Avoid punishing the cat
When the cat is punished by being shouted at (or by some other aggressive action), it will run away. Generally, cats don't learn through discipline. If you are cruel to the cat, the cat will not love you.
- Don't hit the cat as hitting will only make things worse.
- While watering a cat is a common tactic for dealing with a naughty cat, splashing water will make your cat afraid and distrust you.
Step 3. Know your cat's favorite food
Like humans, cats also have favorite foods. Know your cat's favorite foods, and offer them when the cat is being sweet, instead of harshly disciplining the cat. Cats' favorite foods vary, but chicken and tuna are generally preferred by cats. Feed your cat's favorite food so that your cat will love you.
- Avoid feeding the cat milk. Contrary to popular belief, milk is actually not healthy for cats.
- Also avoid giving chocolate, candy, raw eggs, raw meat, or raw fish to cats.
- Remember that a cat's favorite food cannot replace a full meal.
Step 4. Accept your cat's unique personality
While certain cat behaviors are common behaviors, there are variations in each cat's behavior. Know what your cat likes and hates. Knowing and respecting your cat's unique personality is key to your cat's love.
Method 2 of 3: Communicating with Cats
Step 1. Learn and appreciate cat body language
Like humans, cats also use body language to communicate, and to express fear and trust. The cat's posture holds important messages, for example:
- A raised back, hair that stands up to the spine, and sharp nails mean the cat is scared. Just leave him alone!
- If your cat pokes you, she may want to play with you.
- If your cat curls its tail around you, it's expressing comfort.
- If a cat's tail is under or between its paws, it may feel anxious or uncomfortable.
Step 2. Listen to the cat's voice
A cat's purr is love, a hiss is a sign that you need to stay away from the cat, and a "meow" is a call for attention that expresses everything from hunger to thirst for attention.
- Cats do not meow to communicate with each other, but meow to communicate with humans.
- A cat that meows constantly may be sick, and should be taken to the vet.
Step 3. Avoid constant eye contact with your cat
Although eye contact is a sign of politeness between humans, cats will be frightened by long-term eye contact. If a cat blinks near you, it's a sign that the cat trusts you.
- When the cat blinks in your presence, try blinking.
- By blinking slowly, you are communicating that you are open and trustworthy, so that a loving relationship between you and your cat can be built.
Step 4. When lifting the cat, first squat down until you are level with the cat, and bend down slowly before lifting the cat
If the cat can see you before being picked up, the chances of the cat being afraid will be lower.
Method 3 of 3: Taking Care of Cats
Step 1. Keep the cat out of harm's way
If your cat feels safe and protected, it will love you even more. Make sure the cat has a safe place to sleep, feels safe when using the toilet, can eat well, and doesn't feel threatened by other people or animals in the house.
- Make sure the cat can't access the toxic material.
- Close the kitchen and cupboard doors. Cats are curious animals, so cats can get caught up in them.
- Tie the cat with a collar that comes with a buckle (just in case he gets stuck) and your contact information (in case he escapes).
Step 2. Feed the cat on schedule
Cats like habits, so don't change their feeding schedule drastically or too often. When the cat acts sweet, give him his favorite food, but don't let the favorite food interfere with his eating time. To make your cat love you even more, avoid changing the type of food.
- Cats can eat dry, canned, or a combination of both.
- Most veterinarians recommend that you don't feed your cat more than twice a day. In developed countries, 1 in 5 cats is overweight. Obesity can cause serious health problems in cats.
Step 3. Don't neglect your cat
When leaving the house, make sure your cat has been fed enough, and has access to clean water. If you are away from home for a long period of time, make sure there is someone to look after your cat, clean the box of toys, and provide stimulation. A neglected cat will not love you.
- Although cats are independent animals, they also need human attention and regular cleaning.
- If you're on vacation, consider hiring a cat sitter, or taking your cat to a daycare center.
Step 4. Clean the cat's toy box regularly
Cats love cleanliness, therefore, if the toy box is dirty, the cat will play elsewhere. Add clean sand daily, and periodically wash the box with soap and water.
- Do not change the type or brand of cat litter suddenly.
- Change the brand of sand gradually by mixing new and old brands of sand.
Step 5. Brush the cat regularly
Your cat will love it! Brushing your cat's coat regularly will keep the coat and skin healthy, prevent matting, and reduce shedding and hairballs. Also use this opportunity to get closer to the cat.
- Avoid combing the cat directly to the ends of its fur as the cat may feel stressed and uncomfortable.
- Gently comb the cat in long strokes, instead of roughly brushing it in short strokes.
Step 6. Play with your cat
Cats like simple toys, such as toys tied to a rope instead of prey animals. Make a toy that can run like a mouse, or fly like a bird. Your cat will try to reach the toy that is put in front of him. Cats like owners who can provide stimulation through play.
Get the cat to reach for the toy, not your hand
Step 7. Buy a scratching board
Cats generally like to scratch things in your home, such as furniture. However, they can be trained to scratch certain items, such as items with hard surfaces such as solid carpet or sisal. If you provide an area to scratch, the cat will like you even more.
Step 8. Consider buying or building a "cat apartment," which also doubles as a scratching board
Your cat will love to play and climb this "apartment".
Step 9. Take advantage of the cat's curiosity
Many cats prefer people who feed them to other people in the house. If your house has several people, try being the one who feeds the cat. Your cat will get used to this, and will come begging for food from you.
One of the best ways to get a cat to like you is through its belly
Tips
- You need time to be loved by cats. You can't force a cat to love you.
- Pet your cat many times to find a certain part that it likes.
- Many cats like to be petted under the chin.
- Look for signs that your cat doesn't want to get too much attention (such as being petted), including a certain stare, the absence of purring, or simply standing up and running away.
- Let your cat cuddle you instead of kicking him off your thigh.
- If your cat doesn't want to be picked up, don't try to pick him up if you don't want to face his anger.
Warning
- If the cat hisses or runs away, do not try to pay attention to the cat. The cat will feel angry. Leave the cat for a moment, then try again.
- Don't pull the cat's tail. This is something that cats don't like.
- The sound of snoring does not always mean good.
