Earning a cat's trust is not always easy, especially if you have adopted an adult animal. According to experts, you can establish the perfect contact with your pet if you know a few secrets.
Dogs and cats seem to be from different planets. While the former are always ready to play and interact and are happy when their owner pays attention to them, the latter are much more complicated. Sometimes a cat won't even let you pet it — it will run away or start hissing because it doesn't want any interaction at that moment.
But what to do if you need something from your pet right here and now? This question becomes especially pressing when a cat falls ill. Sometimes the owner needs to collect samples, give the pet a pill, or give an injection. And this is where the real chase around the apartment begins, which turns into long negotiations.
"Cats are solitary animals that generally do not share their weaknesses to avoid being vulnerable. They do not have pack mentality like dogs. It's important to establish the right relationship so that the cat fully trusts you," says veterinarian Olga Ilnitskaya.
How to Make Your Cat Trust You
Do not violate the animal's personal space. Is your pet eating, sleeping, or grooming itself? Great, leave it alone; it’s not in the mood for you.
Build a house for the animal. In a shelter, the cat can always hide from prying eyes and be sure that no one will disturb it. Especially small children.
Create a lookout point for your pet. Ideally, this should be a windowsill or some elevated surface. Cats love to keep everything under control.
Don't forget about playtime! Even the laziest cat sometimes enjoys chasing a toy mouse. Just make sure to play with the cat correctly.
Give attention to each one. If you have several cats, play with and pet them in turn. Animals really appreciate this.
If you visit a place where there is a cat, it is necessary to establish contact with the pet correctly. Before you start petting the cat, it’s advisable to let it sniff your hand and get used to your scent. If it is ready to accept affection, it will press its face against your hand and guide it to its ears, chin, or another spot where it wants to be petted. Just watch the animal closely: its body language is very expressive.
Pet the head, ears, and neck. It’s better not to touch the paws and tail. Sometimes you can scratch the cat’s belly if it lies on its back and shows it to you, expressing its trust with this gesture.
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