Learn how to bond with your cat
A caring bond: The basics
How we treat a cat from the earliest moments of her life will profoundly influence both her character and inclinations. Kittens, just like babies, are intensely affected by their early environment. Their eyes open sometime between 2 – 11 days after birth. At around 5 weeks they enter a socialization period, which will last up to 12 weeks. The relationships that kittens form during this time are crucial because they determine the nature of their future relationships with both people and felines.
Kittens who are adored, picked up, and stroked by people often grow up to be happy and affectionate pets. Even if they fall on hard times and are forced into isolation, they retain the capacity and desire for an emotional bond. So even if your cat comes to you at a later stage in life, it is still possible for you to form a close bond with her. When given a good home, with lots of patience and loving care, your cat will blossom.
Bonding with your new cat
When you first bring your kitten home she is certain to feel nervous and will require reassurance in her new environment. She has boundaries, and it is important to respect them. Be guided not by how you want to react to your pet, but by how she reacts to you and the world around her. If you force her into situations that frighten or unnerve her, she will lash out with claws and hide away. Bad experiences can linger in her subtle feline mind and negatively shape her future behaviour and personality. Essentially, by respecting your new feline friend's boundaries, they will become more comfortable with you.
When bonding with kittens, you want to handle them, hold them, let them look at you and see your face. You want to have as much contact with them visually and tactually as you can so that they grow up understanding that's how they should interact with people. Simple things like holding and hugging them while you watch Netflix can make them more sociable and friendly.
If you have a newly adopted adult cat, be sure to give them a little space. For a cat that's four months or older, let them make the decisions. When you first bring them home, all you want to do is hold them. But, if you are able to resist and allow the cat to come to you when they want affection, and let them show you how they want to interact, the bond you create will be so much stronger. Like people, cats need alone time. If you want to bond with your cat, give them space to adjust to their new environment, surroundings, and you.
If you have young children, it is particularly important to supervise them when they contact with your cat or kitten. Children can upset a new kitten badly, or even an older cat. They may want to pick her up and squeeze her ears for fun, but not every cat can tolerate these loving advances.
Your cat might feel claustrophobic and frightened, long for escape and struggle fiercely. She might even scratch or bite. When your cat associates children with such negative thoughts, she will soon avoid them.
Making her feel secure
So how do you behave around this fascinating newcomer? One of the first things your cat needs to learn is that being picked up is not a scary experience. She needs to be approached gently and confidently. Speak softly as you scoop her up, putting one hand around her chest and under her front legs. Use the other hand to steady her as you lift her towards you. Your cat needs to feel secure in your arms, and this means her whole body must be supported. If her hindquarters are left dangling, she might panic and dig her claws into your arms or other part of your body.
Holding your cat correctly is vital, because they will be times when she will need to be carried – such as trips to vet for example. When you have your cat in your arms, hold her firmly but gently. The moment she wants to be freed, put her down slowly. Never try to pick up your feline pal before her mealtimes. A hungry cat has only one thing on her mind and its not being stroked. It’s much better to wait and pick her up after her meal.
Lastly, make sure you provide your new cat with their own little cosy home. Set up a cat area with a cozy bed, toys, and some catnip. Let them think of that area as their safe spot. This is especially crucial for shy or nervous cats. By helping them feel safe in your home, the better chances you have a bonding with them.