If you are new to being a cat owner, then you congratulations on joining the wonderful world of kitties! They really are unlike any other pet you'll have, and while dogs may be as sweet as can be, cats have very unique personalities that you simply won't find in other pets. Dogs are relatively easy to engage with—you don't really need to work for their affection. On the other hand, cats demand that you earn it. Here's how:
- Don't overwhelm her with cuddling. Let her come to you.
All cats have different personalities, but I've noticed that most cats won't immediately come running to you, begging to be petted and played with the way that dogs do. Instead of insisting on some cuddling time, let the cat do their own thing. You'll see that soon enough, if you give your cat some space, she'll come to you wanting to play and hang out.
- Try different types of treats and toys. Don't give her the same ol’, same ol.'
One thing I've noticed as a seasoned cat owner is that cats have, in various aspects of their fascinating lives, very refined tastes, and this is especially true of food. While you may want to stick to one brand and type for their regular food, since cats can have sensitive stomachs, it's best to try different things with treats and toys, since they tend to get bored fairly easily. Of course, catnip is a tried and true favorite, but try to keep things new and diverse to avert boredom.
- Learn about the specific ways your cat likes to be petted.
One thing I've noticed that is unique to all different cats is where and how they liked to be petted. Some cats, in my experience, absolutely hate being petted against the direction in which their fur grows, but some, on the other hand, absolutely love it. Some cats like to be petted under the chin, and some prefer the top of their head, right between their ears. Learning how they liked to be petted specifically will help tremendously in the bonding process.
- Find out the little things that may bother her.
As sweet as cats can be, they also get peeved very easily. For example, back before I quit smoking, I would occasionally smoke inside the house, and I couldn’t understand why there would be times that my cat just hated being anywhere near me. When I relocated and stopped smoking inside entirely, my cat followed me everywhere and was never far from my side at all times. I then realized that it was the smoke that extremely bothered her. Think about different things that you do or items that may be lying around the house that may be pestering your cat, and see what you can do to change things.
By-line:
This guest post is contributed by Lauren Bailey, who regularly writes for accredited online colleges. She welcomes your comments at her email Id: blauren99 @gmail.com.
