It’s is really sad feeling when you go to pet a cat and it rejects your love. It’s worse than a breakup. Every cat owner must relate hard to this! So, to absolve you of the pain, we asked the experts on how to make your cat accept your love or any cat for that matter and they told us this… 

1)    Pay attention 

You should make a point of interacting with your cat. Research indicates that cats will more frequently approach and play with a person who is attentive to them compared to a person who is ignoring them.

2)    But not too much 

Sometimes cats want to be left alone—don’t pick them up or try to get them to play if they’re not in the mood. If your cat is showing signs of aggression (“dilated pupils, a fast/twitchy tail, fur standing up on end, hissing or growling vocalizations”), just walk away. It’s better to end the interaction before an incident which may lead to a strain in the relationship occurs. In short, don’t give your cat a reason to be mad at you.

3)    Play with your cat, the way they like it

Figure out what’s most fun for your particular cat, because they’re all different. Some like passive playing, when they just sit and watch the toy you’re moving around, so if your cat is interested but doesn’t seem to be participating, don’t give up. Others like actively chasing the toy. 

4)    Associate with good feelings

Whenever your cat has a good experience with you—getting attention, playing a fun game, being fed a special treat—she becomes more likely to expect happy feelings when you’re around. If you pay attention to your cat, play with them, and give them rewards for coming to you, all of these experiences will help build a healthy relationship. This allows the cat to see you are associated with positive things, which may increase the amount of time they spend with you.

5)    Be strategic with treats 

If your cat tends to keep his distance from you, use treats to build up trust. Start by leaving the treats out at a distance and then, as your kitty gets braver, putting them closer and closer to you. You can also try talking softly to the cat as they eat the treats so they associate your voice with rewards.

6)    Don’t punish 

Even if you don’t like a behavior, yelling at your cat or spraying her with water is less likely to make the cat stop than it is to make your pet stressed and unhappy around you. Instead, focus your efforts on teaching your cat alternative behavior. If your cat is jumping on the table, for example, resist the urge to shoo her off; instead, try to lure your pet with the promise of a special treat for coming down to the floor. 

7)    Cat’s safe place

No matter how much you love your cat, she must have a space of her own, where your pet can retreat if your affection stresses her out. Allowing them to have their own space where they can deposit their scent will help cats feel more secure in the house and may lead to them displaying a healthier bond with their owner.  So when your cat runs off to hide in that special bed in the den, don’t chase her. Instead, trust that your pet is getting the alone time she needs to relax so that she will be ready to play and cuddle with you later.

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