It can be very stressful when your cat hates the love of your life. Here are some tips to help Fluffy see their good qualities.

·          Don’t force the issue. The more you try placing the cat in your spouse’s arms, the more your kitty will retreat. So take it slow.

·          The way to your cat’s heart is through her tummy. So have your spouse prepare your kitty’s food. It will help for her to see your spouse doing the preparation, and also to have your spouse’s scent on the dish. Having the scent from your spouse’s hands on the bowl that contains the much-cherished food will help her make positive associations. If you feed dry food, have your spouse handle the food to put his or her scent on it as well.

·          Interactive play sessions can be a great way to accelerate the acceptance process. Purchase a couple of fishing pole toys so your spouse can conduct play sessions. Show your spouse the technique that kitty likes. If kitty is unsure about whether she wants to play, then start the game yourself and hand off the toy to your spouse.

·          Treats are a great way to build trust. Choose healthy treats that your cat enjoys, and have your spouse offer them whenever kitty comes near. At first, your spouse may have to just place the treat on the floor near the cat. After a while, the cat may trust your beloved enough to accept the treat directly.

·          Remember that energy is important. Your spouse should do all of the above things with a positive attitude and with patience. In time, the cat will come around.

Step-by-step instructions can be found in the book Starting from Scratch.

© 2009 Cat Behavior Associates, LLC