People who live with a cat know this well: felines often choose their people and not the other way around. It prevents that you love your cat and maybe you would like to become the most important person in her life. There is no real magic recipe for this, but a combination of different factors that will meet her needs for a cat that will be happy living with you.
How do cats choose their favorite people?
Sometimes cats decide they’d rather spend time at your neighbor’s house than yours. Others will seem to prefer your partner, even if they have known each other for less time. It’s a fact: cats do what they want, and that means sometimes choosing their favorite person !
Some scientists believe that a cat classifies the living things it encounters into 3 categories: a predator that can be dangerous, a prey that can feed it, or a member of its family/household.
Kinship relationships can then be supported by various factors: of course the cat’s personality, the person’s personality, the period in which they met, their roles in their lives, perhaps past traumas, etc.
Get to know your cat well
Deciphering your cat’s behavior requires a bit of observation. But this is essential so that you know how to gauge how he feels in a given situation and allow you to adjust to best suit his needs.
You will quickly learn to detect his tastes, likes and dislikes. This can of course happen through food preferences, but also through many other elements that make up your cat’s own personality.
- Does he like to be brushed or not?
- Which areas do you prefer to stroke?
- What areas does he dislike being touched?
- Where do you prefer to sleep?
- What sounds does he hate?
- What is his favorite room in the house?
- When or in what context does it purr?
- Does he look calm or nervous?
- Is he more miserly, playful, both?
- Is he talkative or not talkative at all?
Cats also communicate in different ways with their humans, and some are more expressive than others. With us, they mainly use body language (ears back, wagging tail, bristling fur, dilated pupils, etc.), as well as a number of sounds and sounds (meowing, purring, howling, etc.). We don’t actually have the capacity to perceive the pheromones deposited by our felines on their territory, which allows them to pass messages and communicate between the same species.
Manage the animal’s diet
You can of course use food to form the first bonds with your cat. We remind you that it is better to offer the cat self-service feeding. These animals are truly nibblers: their metabolism is naturally designed to eat small amounts several times a day, rather than once or twice in large amounts.
But nothing prevents you from introducing small moments of additional indulgence, for example by offering the cat wet food, a treat, etc. from time to time.
In this way, you will become the reference person responsible for meeting their dietary needs.
Provide him with a calm environment
Cats appreciate their peace and well-being every day. They are sensitive animals that usually flee from noisy, busy, too bright or smelly places.
Showing gentleness and calmness will support their well-being and your relationship. When talking to your pet, use a calm voice and never be brutal. And if you are one of those who talk to your cat like a child, don’t worry: cats are also able to interpret our honeyed intonations and sweet words as positive elements!
Likewise, limit odors that are too strong for you. Cats have a very sensitive sense of smell and smell smells much more intensely than humans: soap, perfume, detergent, hydroalcoholic gel… So many products that can annoy cats and push them to turn to someone else.
As with most relationships, whether human or interspecies, it is essential to create a bond of trust. In order for your cat to trust you, he must always feel that you will not hurt him and that you will respect him.
When you meet a cat for the first time, always let it sniff by holding out your hand. It’s his way of making the first contact and getting an idea of who you are. If it rubs against you, the first contact is positive. If he backs off, respect that distance.
Cuddles adapted to the cat’s desires
Give the cat affection She doesn’t scratch and cuddle very often. They help strengthen trust and thus the relationship. But these sessions still need to be held at the right time. If it’s your cat who comes to ask you, no problem.
On the other hand, for example, it is not recommended to wake a sleeping cat to pet it. It is a moment of rest and peace necessary for the well-being of the animal, which must be able to enjoy it and at the same time feel safe and not be disturbed.
We remind you that stroking must be done gently and in the direction of the hair. Areas that are generally very popular with cats are on the neck, at the base of the ears and on the back.
Time spent together to strengthen your relationship
Besides hugs, additional moments spent with your cat will strengthen your relationship. This can be done through games or even educational sessions. The time you spend with your pet when it asks for it is essential to creating an emotional bond.
You can use toys specially made for cats (fishing rods, balls, stuffed animals, etc.), but a simple ball of paper, cork, or even string can be enough to create a real moment of complicity. Sometimes our cats are not so picky!
Additional daily care
Finally, all the other care necessary for your cat’s well-being can affect your relationship: managing the toilet, possible minor injuries, walks, adaptations especially for her (scratchers, baskets, pillows, cat trees…). ), etc.
Establishing a routine is also essential for the cat’s well-being. Therefore, do not hesitate to create small daily rituals.
Behaviors to avoid in cats
To maintain a harmonious relationship with your cat, certain actions must be avoided.
- Don’t punish your cat. A tap on the snout, a small splash of water, screams… So many gestures that people sometimes use to show their displeasure when a cat doesn’t behave the way they want it to. But punishment is very often counterproductive for animals: it is interpreted as aggression and they do not always understand that their behavior is problematic, especially when it is a natural reflex (claws for example). An angry reaction will cause indifference at best and stress at worst, which inevitably affects a relationship of trust.
- Never force your cat. You want to pet him but he wants to run away? Will it flatten out when you make contact? Does he struggle when you carry him in your arms? Your cat is clearly showing you that she is not comfortable here. Leave him alone and try your luck again another time. Otherwise, even here, this type of behavior can end up changing the self-esteem and creating a feeling of insecurity in the cat. Likewise, if your cat has isolated herself in a quiet place, away from other household members, respect her choice and her need for quiet.
- Don’t look the cat in the eye urgently. This behavior, coupled with that which a predator may exhibit, can cause stress in the cat and may be seen as a form of challenge or confrontation. Slow blinking, on the other hand, would be more of a sign of calmness and trust.
Some proof that your cat loves you
Certain signs will allow you to do this make sure your cat shows interest and affection towards you :
- he purrs when he’s with you;
- they bring you toys or “gifts” (for example, some cats may leave small loot for their humans);
- follows you when you move;
- he will come to meet you when you return home;
- he licks you when you wash;
- she confidently exposes her belly;
- kneads or paws at you;
- it rubs against your legs;
- he falls asleep peacefully on you or against you;
- etc.