6 ways to make your cat like you more. Photo: pexels
Cats have a bad reputation for being cold creatures that don’t show love to their owners. This happens because cats express affection and communicate in ways different from humans.
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This communication gap can sometimes make it difficult to bond with your cat or get to know a new feline, but don’t worry. Here’s what experts have to say about the best ways to win your cat’s affection and learn their love languages:
1. Provide a sense of control
According to veterinarian Katherine Pankratz, giving a cat a sense of choice and control can help strengthen your relationship. “Most cats prefer interactions to be on their own terms,” she explained to Inverse.
In other words: let the cat decide when and how they will interact with you. She adds that some cats like to “play hard to get” and want you to ignore them, allowing them to approach you on their own terms as a way of building affection.
According to feline behavior expert Mikel Delgado, giving cats ownership of interactions is crucial. “I would say the biggest mistake most of us make is wanting to handle our cats more than they want to be handled,” she explained.
2. Let the cat choose
If you’re not sure if your cat is comfortable with something you’re doing, stop and take a step back. “It can often be helpful to perform a ‘consent test’ intermittently, pausing the interaction, giving the cat space, and seeing what they do next,” Katherine said.
One of two things will usually happen at this point:
- The cat remains still or walks away, indicating the end of the interaction;
- The cat approaches, rubs against you, meows, or makes other gestures indicating they want to keep interacting with you.
“It’s often better to ‘leave the cat wanting more’ than to continue interacting with a cat longer than they may want to,” she added.
3. Try to appear less threatening
Delgado suggests a few ways to help keep your cat open to interactions by appearing less threatening:
- Get on the cat’s level and gently extend your hand;
- If the cat rubs your hand, it’s a good indication that they can be petted.
- Pay attention to signs of irritation and give the cat a break if you notice them. These signs include tail flicking, an irritated meow, or a quick turn of the head to look at your hand;
- Let them sit next to you without being petted, or try playing with them using an interactive toy as an alternative to cuddles.
4. Maintain predictability
Cats are very fond of predictable situations. So, if you maintain predictability, the experts explain that this helps prevent cats from feeling insecure around you. Try to create a low-stress environment and avoid sudden noises in your home.
“Avoiding loud talking or [making] big movements or gestures can help you appear more predictable and make it more comfortable for cats to interact with you,” Katherine emphasized.
5. Understand the cat’s preferences
Ultimately, paying attention to what your cat likes and their body language, just as you would with a human friend, is the best way to get closer to your feline.
“If the cat you’re trying to interact with likes certain things, such as brushing, playing, or treats, you can offer them what they like,” Katherine explained.
6. Feed and play with them regularly
Feeding time is the most important opportunity to bond with your cat. Experts suggest feeding a cat “several small meals throughout the day” so they associate you with food.
Additionally, make sure to play with your cat’s prey instinct using expert-approved gestures and toys that mimic the feeling cats get when hunting prey in the wild.
Photos: Pexels. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
