HOW TO GET A CAT TO TRUST YOU IN 5 STEPS Is there anything better than knowing that our precious furbabies love and trust us? As pet owners, we all want our animals to feel comfortable in our homes and around us, but how to get a cat to trust you? Out of all the cat owner tips out there, here’s our top one - understanding cat behavior should be your main priority. Whether you’ve gained a new furbaby via cat adoption or a breeder, anticipating their needs will make a huge difference. Some may even consider it one of their cat hacks! Read on for five ways to help your cat get comfurtable and let down their guard. 5 CAT OWNER TIPS TO GAIN YOUR CAT’S TRUST If you are a first-time cat owner or a seasoned professional, bringing a new kitty into your home always requires an adjustment period. You both need time to get to know each other. Then there’s introducing your cat to other pets in your furmily - you’ve got to go slowly. Here are our top tips on how to get your cat to trust you. Your beautiful friendship with your new furbaby begins now! Respect Your Cat’s Space Giving your kitty some space is what we’re all about at Door Buddy, and it’s also step 1 when it comes to gaining your cat’s trust. Although you will probably want your kitty with you and the rest of the family, it is essential to remember that they do like to have their own time and a space that is just for them. This will be a space where they can eat, sleep and use the litter box in peace. Choose a room in your home that will allow them to do this, and make sure that dogs and little ones can’t bug them. Pay Attention to Cat Behavior & Body Language Paying close attention to cat behavior and body language will tell us a lot about how they are feeling. In fact, this is often the first way we can tell how our kitty is doing. Take a look at what her eyes and ears are doing. Has she crouched away from you, or is she leaning towards you? Is she flicking her tail out of anger and irritation, or is she relaxed? These are all significant indicators of how comfortable your cat is with you and her surroundings. So, the next time your cat’s pawing at your couch or hiding under the table, ask yourself, “what are they trying to tell me?” Use Positive Reinforcement If you have owned or interacted with a cat before, you’ll know that they only do what they want, and they like to be in control. However, positive reinforcement is always an excellent cat hack to get your feline fur-end talking your language. It’s also super helpful to build up their confidence and gain their trust (and a fabulous cat owner hack). Positive reinforcement for cats can be in the form of treats, a soothing voice, play, or even petting (if this is something your kitty enjoys). Regular positive reinforcement is a purrrfect way to build and strengthen your bond with your cat. Let Your Cat Come to You As much as we want to snuggle and love our cats to bits, sometimes it's all about waiting for them to come to us. It turns out that our cats learn a lot about us just from simply observing. they might spend some time doing this before they feel comfortable approaching or interacting. Give them their time and space to watch and learn, and be patient. It’ll be worth it in the end! Set Up an Oasis for your Cat with Door Buddy If you have dogs or young children and babies, things can easily turn into a cat-astrophe. It may even be tricky to find a peaceful place where your cat can relax, eat, and use the litter box. Un-fur-turnately, this can put a strain on building relationships, both human and animal. But, what is a pawrent to do? Using a Door Buddy, you can create a peaceful oasis for your cat. It helps keep dogs and babies out of a room without locking your cat in or out. It also provides an extra level of caution as you introduce your dog to your cat. We highly recommend using a barrier between your pets when you begin the introductory process! Door Buddy has been helping fur-milies just like yours for over 6 years now, and we understand what cats need to be their a-meow-zing selves! All it takes is a little space and a lotta love. We hope these tips on how to get a cat to trust you will have you and your feline family member bonding in no time! If you’re looking to gain extra brownie points, why not try and make your own homemade cat treats? Here’s to you and your kitty forming a lifelong friendship based on trust! BACK TO BLOG HOME CHECK OUT OUR MOST POPULAR CONTENT WHY DO CATS HATE CLOSED DOORS HOW TO KEEP THE DOG OUT OF THE CAT LITTER BOX HOW TO INTRODUCE CATS TO YOUR HOME BABIES & CATS: HOW TO ACHIEVE PURFECTION SHOP WEBSITE SHOP AMAZON