Introduction
According to Matt Davies Harmony Communities, genetic evidence suggests that cats remained unchanged for thousands of years even after they entered human lives. Even now cats take their sweet time to get into your lap, unlike dogs who are ready to be petted by absolutely anyone. Let’s check out how you can form a strong bond with your cat.
The Guide
- Stick to what cats know – Cats are conservative creatures who stick to their habits. When you get a new cat and it moves into the new environment of your home, you need to make the transition as smooth as possible. Make sure you feed your kitty what it used to feed on and get rid of as many scents from your home as possible.
Whether you adopted the cat from a shelter or a breeder, know everything about the cat’s previous environment and food and try to keep things the same. Cats love consistency. Even if you’re trying to switch their diet to a healthier option, the transition needs to be slow and gradual. That way the cat would begin to trust you more as it gets more comfortable in the new environment.
- Give them space – Bonding with your cat takes time. You need to take it slow and give them space. The key is in observation, not action. Resist the urge to cuddle with your new pet and keep it close to you at all times. Cats see the world very differently.
You can’t make cats love you or run over to you when you have known it for just two days. They need time to process what’s happening before they respond to your petting and scooping. Give them safe vertical spaces like cat trees so that they have an escape route when they aren’t feeling comfortable.
- Allow your cat to come to you – As your cat becomes more comfortable in their new home and gets used to your presence, it will try to get to know the people around it. This process is vastly different for different cats. Some would jump into your lap within the first week while others take several weeks to warm up to you. When it’s ready, your cat would start showing bonding behaviors like rubbing its head on you or kneading its body on you.
- Be prepared to back off – When your cat starts to warm up to you, it’s time to start petting, scooping, and playing with your pet. However, you need to keep a vigilant eye on its body language to know when it’s uncomfortable for your cat and back off accordingly. For instance, super dilated pupils and flattened ears are cues to let go of your cat.
Conclusion
Matt Davies Harmony Communities suggests that you use the tips mentioned above to create and nurture a strong bond with your cat. Cats aren’t like dogs, and they need to be allowed space and time to come to you instead of the other way around.