10 Ways to Bond With Your Kitten or Cat
10 Ways to Bond With Your Kitten or Cat. Are you looking to expand your relationship with your new kitten or cat? We’ve got you here! Now I am someone who NEVER thought she’d ever have a cat, much less love one.
Bond With Your New Kitten or Cat
As I write this, Juniper – my six-month-old kitten – is sitting in the kids’ trampoline right next to my computer.
When I woke up this morning, Scarlet was sleeping on my shoulder and the kitten was sleeping on my feet. I felt the weight and heat of it while still in my sleep and dreams, and then woke up to find us all huddled together on this cold morning. I have to say – it’s moments like this that make me realize that my heart is big enough to love dogs AND cats. They bring different personality traits, tasks, concerns, joys, and pros and cons to the table, I’m sure, but pet love is love. And love is love. STRONG.
About two years ago, we found two feral cats in our garden.
We wanted so badly to make them our pets, as we had never had cats before, but it didn’t work. They were too feral. We were able to find them good homes luckily, without kids. Early this past summer, we decided to take a leap. We adopted an abandoned kitten from a wonderful animal shelter in Springfield, MA. She was tiny and malnourished and had yet to be socialized, but we were introducing her to our loud family of two kids and a rescue dog. What can I say? It worked. I worked closely with the adoption counselor, and then my vet, to ensure my kitten would have a GREAT life, and not just a good one. She’s currently moved from the trampoline to my lap, as we speak!
Cat bonding is REAL! You can’t change your pet’s personality, just like you wouldn’t with a person, but you can change your relationship to introduce and maintain trust, respect, bonding, and love. How? Good care, good play, good products. Cats do a lot for their humans. They provide support, affection, soothing, humor, and love. How can we give back?
10 Ways to Bond With Your Kitten or Cat:
1 – Play with your cat every day. So many days pass me by and I am too busy or I forget, but luckily she reminds me. When I go away, even for one night, she’s more affectionate than ever when I get back. I think she misses the play! My vet recommends 10-15 minutes of play a day to keep the cat healthy, at a good weight, and bonded to us. She loves feathered toys, balls, catnip, and stuffed mice. She gets tired after playing, and I know that’s when it’s time to stop for awhile.
2 – Let your cat come to you. And they do! They really do! Cats are funny this way, though. They generally need to issue you an invitation first, or they may feel that their personal space is being invaded. Allow your cat to take the lead!
3 – Make sure your cat is comfy at home, and feels “at home” – this will enable more bonding for sure. Provide your cat with warmth, food, clean water, toys, a bed, and a litter box. Give your cat a room or designated space in the home. Choose your cat litter wisely because the products you choose for your cat are a direct reflection of how much you care.
Look how cute!
5 – Brush your cat! Many cats enjoy this, and it creates happy feelings of safety and comfort, while also helping to keep their coats free of dirt and flakes. Our cat is short-haired so we use a metal comb recommended by our vet.
6 – Ease them into transitions. Transitions are inevitable, but we all hear stories about cats not adjusting well to other pets, new babies, house moves, etc. Do adjustments gradually and slowly, with your cat in mind. Stay calm.
7 – Don’t pet your cat on the stomach. It can be tempting when they roll over and reveal a fluffy belly. Some at least tolerate it, but most cats don’t enjoy a human petting them there, so use caution when your cat rolls over.
8 – Learn both good and bad cat signs. If a cat bumps you with her head or rear, kneads on you, licks you, or gums you, these are signs he or she is bonding. If your cat has puffed up fur, an arched back, flattened ears, or dilated pupils, these are signs of cat aggression.
9 – Know your cat’s personality! Cats aren’t dependent on us the way dogs are. While our bonds can be strong, all cats are different. Some may need affection 24/7. Some may need very little affection. To truly bond with your cat, know and respect the personality he or she was born with.
10 – Love is in the details. Pamper your cat with delicious wet and dry food varieties – formulated for your cat’s tastes.
*Not to be taken as professional veterinary advice. Please consult your veterinarian for recommendations and practices appropriate for your pet.
Still no cats here, but you know if and when you will be the first to know, as well as the first I ask for advice 😉
I’ve got ya, girl!
My step son just got a baby kitten for his birthday, from his girlfriend. He’s brought him over for visits and OMG, he’s the cutest! He’s a Persian. Your cat is beautiful! I used to have a cat but he was taken by a coyote…sad story. He used to know when I needed comfort and would sit with me. They are very intuitive. Nice post and tips for caring for your cat!
Aw! A Persian!!
Thanks about Junie! Well we had Penny and she was hunted by a fisher cat. So sad. We thought maybe a coyote but then found out it was a fisher cat.
So Junie is not allowed to ever leave the house!
I never had a cat. Just lots and lots of dogs. I actually always wanted a cat, but I am allergic……. So not so much bonding would happen if I ever had one, LOL!
Nah, I imagine that would be the worst bonding ever!
I can’t type much because I literally have a cat laying on my arm, but thanks for the sweet post. #client
Well it took me two months to respond to this comment, because I’ve had a cat on my arm too! (slight exaggeration)
Oh that kitty of yours is just too cute! I hope you are surviving this season of 3 jobs 🙂 Christmas is almost here, right? Or does that make it not better….. Hugs!
I really did survive! No idea how…
Aww, so cute. Both my daughter and husband are allergic to cats!
My dad was too, so I never had one growing up!
We always had cats growing up, but my husband is allergic so no lovely kitty pets for me! My mom just got a kitten though, so I’ll just have to visit a lot!
My dad is allergic so I never got one either! I think I read about your mom’s kitten. Cute!
I don’t have a cat (bad allergies here… in fact I sneezed when I opened up your page – seriously). lol
I had NO idea cats didn’t like to be rubbed on the belly. They seem to frequently be hanging around on their backs – you would think they like it. Very interesting. Another major difference between dogs and cats – most dogs love a good belly rub.
Thanks for sharing!
xoxo
ha! I’m so sorry. I sneeze at the sun, though.
Some cats probably do like it, but most will give you trouble for it!
XOXO
Huh I was actually petting Leo’s belly as I was reading this. He’s one of those strange cats who seems to love that 😉 I know what you mean about cats inviting us to pet/play with them, though Leo seems to want it all the time with grownups. My in-laws’ cats, though, are a completely different story. With one you REALLY have to wait for that invitation, which is pretty rare for outsiders (including me).
I wish I had a cat that did! Junie has the softest belly ever. I always want to pet it. Athena likes it, though!
Such beautiful pictures! Cats are such strange animals to me; so particular about things but I can respect and appreciate that completely 🙂 I have a friend whose cat likes to walk around with bags loosely covering his head. To each his own, I guess. lol
LOVE the cupcakes btw, so cute!
I think I’m more like a cat than a dog, but more like a moose than any of them!
Your friend’s cat description is making me giggle.
Our cat definitely bonds with me over the fancy feast cans. He just sits by the pantry door until I open it….straining forward and I swear I can hear him kitty curse when I pull out a bag of rice or the honey jar — instead of HIS treat. Other than this, he couldn’t care less about us. ha.
hah!! Mine does that too!!