Problem Solving & Advice by Pam Johnson-Bennett Cat Behavior Expert & Best-selling Author
When you adopt a cat, you have hopes of establishing a good relationship and loving bond. Whether you’re bringing home a happy, healthy kitten, or rescuing a cat where you have to work on undoing past emotional damage, your mission is to create a loving and nurturing environment so the relationship can grow strong. Here are some general reminders about starting the relationship off right.
1. Socialize your cat. This is most essential if your new furry family member is a kitten. Gently expose your kitten to being handled, unfamiliar people, the cat carrier, travel, and other aspects of everyday experiences. This will help your kitten grow into an adult cat who is more comfortable around people and can adjust to life events with less stress. Even if your new cat is an adult, continue the process in a gradual, positive way to help him become more comfortable and adaptable in various aspects of daily life.
2. Do positive, gentle training. Educate yourself about cat behavior and what your new cat needs, so you will be prepared to welcome this new family member in the best way. Whether you are training a kitten or adult cat, the training technique should be positive, loving, and gentle. There’s no room for punishment. When it comes to behavior you don’t like, keep in mind that it’s not displayed out of spite or a deliberate attempt to misbehave. Behaviors are performed because they work and make sense to the cat. Your job is to figure out what purpose the behavior serves so you can provide a better option. Reinforce positive behavior to encourage your cat to repeat it. Be a positive, patient, and gentle teacher. You also need to be a good student and pay attention to what your new cat is teaching YOU. It’s a two-way learning process.
3. Be consistent and predictable. Inconsistency is something I frequently see during house call consultations. One family member has a set of rules, but another person has something totally different in mind. The result is that the cat stays confused and never knows what’s allowed or forbidden. All family members need to be on the same page when it comes to training. Also, maintain a routine. Cats thrive on predictability. It can be very stressful if changes are abrupt, or schedules are haphazard. Stick to a consistent schedule when it comes to mealtime, playtime, litter box maintenance, and other daily activities. Avoid abrupt changes as much as possible.
4. Offer choice and ask for consent. Nothing fuels stress faster than when a cat has no choice concerning interaction and security within their environment. This applies to everything from being picked up and held without warning, to having no option to retreat and hide. If you want to build trust with your cat and develop a strong bond, respect your cat’s boundaries, and give him the option to engage or retreat during interactions. “Ask” before picking up your cat or interacting. I’m not talking about literally issuing a verbal request, but rather, pay attention to your cat’s body language, and approach in a way that the cat has the option to engage or not. Cats are masters at communication and if you pay attention, you can become adept at detecting whether your cat’s body language is communicating a desire for more engagement or to be left alone. If the cat’s need for more distance is a result of fear, gently work on trust-building at the pace with which he’s most comfortable.
5. Engage in interactive playtime. Playtime is not only fun but also crucial for your cat’s physical and emotional well-being. It’s beneficial for exercise, mental stimulation, emotional growth, confidence, correcting behavior issues, and strengthening the bond. Cats were born to move and so often they end up being couch potatoes because cat parents assume they just grow out of being playful once they’re beyond kittenhood. Engage your cat in interactive play sessions at least twice a day. Interactive playtime can do wonders for trust-building and it’s also a valuable tool for correcting problem behaviors. The sessions should be tailored to fit your cat’s age, physical ability, and health. It’s not just young kittens and cats who benefit from play; don’t discount your older cat’s ability to show off those seasoned hunting skills. Every cat deserves to have fun!
6. Provide environmental enrichment. Create an indoor environment that provides stimulation, activity, exploration, and the ability to engage in natural behaviors. Enrichment helps promote psychological, emotional, and physical health. The essentials begin with making sure your cat’s environment provides comfort, security, predictability, and of course, fun. Create a positive, confidence-building environment so your cat can thrive.
7. Remember it’s a relationship. Building a strong, loving relationship with your cat requires understanding his needs and communicating effectively. Don’t expect your cat to do all the work to fit into your life; do your part to ensure a strong and loving bond with your new member of the family. The cat/human bond is a result of mutual effort.
The above tips are very general and so much more goes into the relationship you will develop, but they will hopefully start you off on the right tract to helping your cat feel welcomed into your family.
Need More Information?
For more specific information on cat behavior and training, whether you’re new to the world of cats, or you’re a seasoned cat parent, check out the best-selling books by Pam Johnson-Bennett. Pam’s books are available at bookstores as well as online. We’ve included Amazon links here on our website.
