How to befriend a cat? Bonding with your cats is extremely important to make them feel at home, avoid them wandering around and not knowing their way back to the house; and most importantly, you will be with them for at least 10 years.
If you’re having more than one cat, it’s very important to learn how to introduce a kitten to your resident cat, and also to bond with your cat as soon as they come home!
You will need to make sure that your cat always feels comfortable and safe being around you, to feel love, with constant communication and interaction.
So, how to get acquainted with cats? If you adopt a stray cat, you should find a way to make friends with this cat first before bringing them home, because adult cats already formed a certain personality, which could be difficult to be close with strangers!
Overview
| When should I bring a cat home? | Kittens, 2-4 months old |
| What to feed a anxious cat during first time being home? | Wet food, paté |
How to befriend a cat? 6 Simple Steps
Provide a private space
When you first bring a cat home, you should prepare a small private hub for your cat and let her stay there. It’s best not to rush in and try to hug her right away.
Her private place could be within a cardboard box with an entrance and a soft blanket inside.
Approach her slowly
Cats are very alert to changes in their surroundings as well as to their new owners. Cats will be curious about their new home, and they need to trust their new owners.
Cats will also have familiar habits, so when something unusual happens, they will often be very cautious to ensure that they are always safe.
When trying to befriend with a new cat, you should move slowly, sit still and call her over, instead of approaching her. Avoid sudden noises or movements. A sneeze can also scare a new cat and cause her to run away.
Let your cat be closed with you
Let your cat decide when she wants to make friends, normally it takes the first few weeks, with some of the following signs:
- Kneading dough next to you
- Rubbing your forehead
- Sitting close to or on you
The key to getting your cat to trust you is for you to back away if your cat shows fear.
Some signs that your cat is very scared, or doesn’t want to interact with you:
- Tail twitching
- Ears flattened
- Pupils dilated
- Growling alertly
Nhất quán trong hành động khi bé mới về nhà
Mèo thường sẽ tìm đến sự thoải mái, và có thói quen nhất định. Khá khó để mèo có thể thích nghi với một môi trường mới, nơi có nhiều khung cảnh, mùi vị và thậm chí cả mùi vị mới.
Vì vậy, hãy cho bé ăn một loại thức ăn khi chuyển nhà, dùng lại chậu cát hoặc giường ngủ cũ, trước khi mua thêm đồ mới cho bé.
Be consistent in your behavior when being home
Cats tend to seek comfort, with routine. It is difficult for a cat to adjust to a new environment with new sights, smells, and even tastes.
Therefore, you should feed your cat the same food as the last owners, reuse your cat’s litter box or bedding (if possible) before going shopping for your cat. Interact gently with your kitten
Once your kitten has stopped and is looking at you, gently approach it, but avoid looking at her for too long as she might be scared.
Slowly extend an arm, fingers pointing towards the kitten, to see if she wants to come closer. This is a way to show that you are not a threat to the kitten, as well as your body language showing that you are genuinely interested and want to interact.
It is best not to put your finger on the kitten’s face, but to extend your finger and bring it slightly closer to the kitten’s nose. When the kitten is willing, she will probably follow your finger slightly. You should be gentle and slow, letting the kitten come closer to you, a sign that it is comfortable and wants to interact with you.
Continuous contact with the kitten
Once you are closer, it is certain that the kitten will enjoy rubbing against your feet, shoes, ankles, legs or hands. Your baby will gradually become more interested in having you around, will not hesitate to lick your hand, showing that the attempt to make friends has been successful!
Over time, your cat will let you stroke her nose, head, rub her cheeks or sit close to you, letting part of her body touch you, clearly showing that she trusts you more.
6 Tips to Make Your Cat Love You Even More
Have more times with your cats
Certainly, every cat loves to play and be around their buddies more, especially when you let them play with toys and also you.
Constant closeness
There are quite a few cats like to sleep on you, or love to be held, showing that they are really affectionate with you. Every cat likes to sleep in sunny places, with soft blankets, to feel nestled, ensuring absolute safety.
If you are trying to bond with your cat, it is best to sit still and do your own thing, with a bed or soft blanket next to you, so that your cat can come and take a nap comfortably.
Some cats even like to nap on your lap, legs or shoulders, with many different expressions of affection such as resting their chin or petting you or snuggling.
But still, sometimes cats don’t like to be close, so you should prepare sleeping places that are further away but you can still see them, showing that you respect them. This is the best way to build trust and strengthen the bond.
Feeding
Feeding and watering is the best way to bond with your cats. You should feed them with high quality food, and not leaving too much food out.
If you feed them snacks, limit the amount so that it doesn’t affect their diet. It’s best not to let your cat get overweight, which can cause many unnecessary illnesses. Don’t overfeed them because you’re just trying to bond.
Communicate with them
It may seem impossible, but cats really understand how you act. Talk to your kitten in a low, gentle, friendly voice before going away for a business trip can calm them down.
If your cat meows or is ‘throwing a tantrum’ for some reasons, answer it! Your cat is trying to communicate with you, because cats do not use meowing to communicate with their own kind, but only to seek human attention.
Pet your cats more often
All cats love to be petted under the chin, cheeks, on the head or back, which is a quite effective way to bond. Some areas to avoid are the tail and belly. It is best to let your cats to choose the location, then you should pet that place.
Clean the litter box regularly
Although it is a basic level of care, this is the action showing that you love them the most, always wanting to satisfy your cat’s needs, which is the simplest way to show love.
🎉 Learn more: 8 tips to be the best first time cat owner
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it okay to lock cats in a closed room?
No, because cats at all ages like to move around, they don’t like to be confined, and need constant sunlight. Locking cats in a closed room for a long time will cause them to become depressed, anxious; over time they will lose their appetite, skip meals, and lead to many other diseases.
Is it okay for a new kitten to cry a lot when it comes home?
Usually, new kittens are scared when first coming home, so they will cry to attract attention, also because of the change in living environment. For kittens that have not been vaccinated or are too weak, crying might be the symptom of them being sick. After 2-3 days of being in a new home, you should take your kitten to the vet for the best care!
Key Takeaways
How to befriend a cat? Is it difficult? It can be said that it is not too difficult to befriend cats, however, this process is very flexible, as it depends on the personality of each cat. If your cat refuses to come near you in the first few weeks, do not worry too much!
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