HOW CAN I EARN MY CAT'S LOVE?
There is nothing quite like the bond of love between a cat and his owner. With some cats, you have to earn their affection. So how can you develop a bond where you truly feel your cat's love? How can you help a shy cat learn to cuddle more and stress less, helping his emotional health? Rest assured, earning your cat's love isn't as hard as you might think. Although some cats are more expressive about their feelings than others, you can still help draw a cat out of his shell with these simple techniques.
1. Let Your Cat Approach You
Cats like to feel in control. So don't chase a skittish cat around the house, trying to get her to love on you. Instead, sit back and wait for her to make the first move.1 Don't look directly at your cat or pay a lot of attention to her while she's sitting across the room. Instead, get involved in something else entirely, like watching TV, reading a book, or texting someone on your phone. When she's not the center of your focus, she's more likely to initiate and come to you. When she finally does come around, act calm and happy. Don't get overly excited; this might make your cat run away from you again.
2. Teach Your Cat That Good Things Come From You
If your cat is food-motivated, you can use treats to help teach him that good things come unexpectedly from you. Carry some tasty cat treats in your pocket or keep some treats in a sealed dish on your desk or nightstand. Every now and then, surprise your cat with a little treat. Your cat may learn to start spending time around you more often because he never knows when you'll surprise him with something fun and tasty.
Of course, don't overdo the treats. You want to find other fun ways to "surprise" him too, whether it's with a little catnip or a mouse toy you keep with you.
3. Handle Your Cat Frequently When She's a Kitten