Cats can be fearful and shy due to a range of reasons. Perhaps you’ve seen an outdoor cat whose owner has left the cat behind, and they don’t trust him. Perhaps you’ve adopted an animal that wasn’t socialized when he was a kitten and now is hidden in an unfinished closet. If you’re dealing with an anxious cat, how can you convince your cat to trust you? Recognizing a cat’s body language, respecting boundaries, and slowing down are essential steps in gaining confidence in your cat.
Understanding Cat Body Language
Cats are constantly communicating even when they don’t have any sound. The signs that appear subtle to you might be solid attempts to communicate within the cat’s world. With just some basic feline “words,” you can typically discern what they’re trying to communicate, when it’s appropriate to interact with them, and when not.
The tail is an effective indicator. A tail that is held high or straight upward is a sign of joy and confidence. A tail that is moving slowly indicates the cat is in a state of concentration. A rapid-twitching tail could indicate the presence of anxiety or anger. A puffy tail could mean your cat is afraid or is getting ready for a fight.
Eyes are also an essential aspect of a cat’s language. If you notice cats with dilation eyes (large pupils), avoid them. It’s usually a sign you’re on alert. When the eyes of a cat are half-closed, this indicates that he is at ease and content. He could blink more slowly to express his appreciation for ( or even loves) you.
A cat with an arched back may think he’s in for fighting, so give him some space. A cat prone to rolling on its back and revealing its stomach shows confidence in you. He’s likely looking for something other than the belly rub; the idea could be.
To earn confidence in a cat’s behavior, it is essential to be aware of these signals and react appropriately. An anxious cat is, for instance, on high alert and doesn’t like to be handled. Even if he’s not afraid of people, he doesn’t want you to touch him as he’s trying to be alert to his surroundings and be prepared for self-defense.
How to Get an Outdoor Cat to Trust You
If you observe cats in the open, you should build trust with her to help them. This can be longer because there are fewer interactions.
Start by putting food and water outdoors for the cat. You should consider building an outdoor cat home in addition. Once she is comfortable eating the food you’ve given her, you can sit outside, away from the dish. As she gets used to eating with you, gradually move toward her.
As time passes, she could appear to you. Spread your hands and let her pet it. Please give her a soft kiss on the back of the head when she rubs your hand. If she doesn’t respond, it could mean she dislikes how your hands smell. Do not try to make a pet feel uncomfortable. If you adhere to this rule, she’ll learn that you can only pet her when she’s ready to be petted.
Once you’ve built trust, you could open your door and invite her to come inside occasionally. The cat may gradually spend longer in the house. If you have a cat of your own, Take the cat that lives outside to a vet for a thorough health exam before letting them play. If you decide to become the cat’s parent, place the Comfort Zone Calming Collar on her. The collar emits calming Pheromones to tell her you’re safe, even when she wanders around the world.
Keep in mind that there are cats that do not believe in you. If your cat is feral, rather than a wanderer or a stray, she’s never been around humans and could always be cautious. If you notice a tipped ear, she’s likely been involved in a trap-neuter-release (TNR) program. 1 (A TNR program vaccinates and neuters the cat in the wild, then releases the animal. If the ear is tipped, it’s an indication they’ve been held captive.) If the ear isn’t tipping, you should call the local rescue organization and inquire whether they have a barn adoption or TNR program to assist.
How to Get an Indoor Cat to Trust You
If you’ve adopted an animal and he doesn’t believe in you? If he’s in the house and in hiding you, there are many options you can take to earn his confidence. The first step is to give him space. Cats usually need to be in a safe place for a few days while at a new place because of the smells and noises. Provide him with a room that is his only space and separate from the noise and other animals. 2 Keep your cat’s food, water, litter, clothes, bedding that smells like you, and a comfortable cat sleeping area.
Install Comfort Zone calm products throughout the home to improve your “emotional” health and help him feel secure, content, and relaxed. They’re designed to replicate the cat’s natural cat pheromones to let the cat know everything is fine. Please connect to the Comfort Zone Diffuser to calm him in the rooms where he’s spending the most time. You can also make use of to use the Comfort Zone Multi-Cat Diffuser if you have multiple cats.
Visit him often throughout the day. Give him extra-enticing snacks like wet snacks that smell like tuna, and place them between your and the place where your cat is hidden. Your cat will start moving closer to you to take treats in time. (If you have pets of your own, keep them in separate rooms until they are used to each other’s smells and sounds.)
If he’s comfortable enough to venture out into the home, keep it as peaceful as possible. You should ensure that there’s a way for him to get back to his space or the corner where he’s comfortable. Set up a couple of caged cat beds in various parts of your house, with one that is a bit nearer to your family’s room. Set up the Comfort Zone Relaxing Collar on him to ensure he receives peace signals as you move around your home. Create spaces that are exclusive to him, such as cat trees, condominiums, and Window perches. You’ll feel more secure when he has a high space to escape.
Be patient and wait for him to come towards you. Place some sweets in your purse to tempt him. You can also get a wand of feathers and lure him into a match that is “hunt the prey.”
If he can come close to you, take a slow step and talk gently. As you would with the cat outdoors, you can extend your hand to him and let him take a sniff. Be patient until he rubs on your palm. Be sure to pet him only around the back of the head, where cats love to be petted. Also, be respectful of his boundaries. If you’re patient and persistent, it will become apparent that you should only give him positive experiences. This is a fantastic method to establish trust. However, it will take time.
It is possible to gain your cat’s trust, whether in your home or outdoors. Remember that the process requires time, patience, love, and respect and should be done according to the terms of your cat. Knowing how your cat communicates is a great place to begin.
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