When approaching your kitty, the most important trick is to allow her to take the lead, Animal Planet's Jackson Galaxy tells Petcha. Let your cat sniff your index finger and touch her nose against it first. If she wants to cuddle, she'll push her face against your hand and direct you to her ears, chin, or wherever she wants to be petted.
Going slowly will create a more relaxed, warmhearted environment. If she starts nudging you with her head or rubbing her cheeks against your body, it's a good sign, says Tufts University's Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine.
In addition to being petted, do cats like to be held? Most cats love to snuggle, and they're typically responsive to being held if you introduce them to it gradually. The best way to approach your cat for a hug is to start with a few soft pets, then carefully pick her up. Be sure to secure all four of her legs so that they don't dangle. If she feels safe in your arms, she'll be more inclined to stay there.
If she squirms and wants to get away, set her down gently and try again later. Learning to snuggle takes baby steps and occasionally a tasty reward for not mauling your arms on the way down. Some cat breeds are more receptive to pets and hugs than others. The Siamese , for example, is a playful and fun-loving breed that will demand attention from you, as will the affectionate Ragdoll. Don't be alarmed if your cat resists physical attention. It may just be part of her personality or upbringing.
If a kitten isn't socialized with humans at an early age, she may be reluctant to accept affection. She may also need more coaxing if you adopt her as an adult and don't know her backstory. You can acclimate your kitty using some of the strategies above, but some cats simply don't enjoy being picked up, preferring to be a nestle-next-to-you cat instead of a lap cat.
Building trust is a gradual process in any relationship. When you invest your love and affection, you'll be rewarded with a feline best friend and maybe even a belly rub. Christine O'Brien is a writer, mom, and long-time cat parent whose two Russian Blues rule the house. Her work also appears in Care. Environment Planet Possible India bets its energy future on solar—in ways both small and big Grassroots efforts are bringing solar panels to rural villages without electricity, while massive solar arrays are being built across the country.
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How viruses shape our world. Just hide a toy or an object that interests them under a blanket, and watch your cat scavenge. Blow bubbles. One of the greatest joys of cat ownership is their never waning interest in the ordinary. Blowing bubbles might seem like an activity you left back in the schoolyard, but your cat will be so taken with the floating balls of mystery, it could reignite your interest.
Set up a food treasure hunt. Cats love the excitement of a challenge that keeps their minds sharp—and their stomachs full! Place treats in hard-to-reach spots in your home and watch as your cat works to retrieve them. Cats are so agile you even can set up obstacles for them to navigate. It might even inspire you to be more active! Use an app. See the Get more help section below for more information. How to care for your cat Although cats are more independent than many other pets, owning one is still a major commitment.
Cats need: A fresh litter box. Most house cats are indoor cats, which means you will need a litter box. A litter box is convenient, but needs to be cleaned every day to avoid unpleasant odors. Pet stores offer litter formulas that make it easy to scoop out waste and control the smell.
Consistent grooming. Although a cat might not need the same amount of grooming as a dog, it still takes work to prevent your house turning into one big hairball.
A weekly cleaning is usually enough, and you can find easy-to-use cat grooming tools at most pet stores. A scratch pole. Many cats have a tendency to scratch and paw at drapes, furniture, and just about anything else that takes their fancy.
Investing in a scratch pole or post will not only provide your cat with the scratching outlet they need, but also save you lots of money and frustration. A well-balanced diet. Work with your vet to ensure your feline is getting a nutritional diet.
Avoid overfeeding that can lead to obesity and other serious health issues. Also, be sure to keep their food and water bowls far away from their litter box to prevent any risk of contamination. A safe environment. Use a towel to pick them up as calmly and quickly as possible as they may understandably lash out.
Am I looking out for any subtle signs to tell me if the cat is comfortable or uncomfortable? A happy cat will seem relaxed, with no tension in their body. They will also actively seek out the strokes and if you move away or stop, they will follow you.
Have a look at our article on signs that your cat is happy for more information. An uncomfortable, or unhappy cat will be more tense, may physically move away from you, or suddenly groom themselves, start shaking their head, or rotating their ears and licking their nose.
For more information about signs that your cat is unhappy, check out our articles about how to tell if your cat is frustrated and cat body language explained. Does the cat want me to keep touching them? Am I touching the cat in places cats generally like? The following picture is a traffic light system of where cats generally like, and dislike, being petted.
Am I giving the cat opportunities to tell me if they still want to be stroked? You can test this by following a simple 3 second rule: If you pause after 3 seconds of stroking your cat, do they try to reinitiate contact i.
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