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You are here: Home / Kitty Wisdom / How to Bond With Your Cat – 8 Tips

How to Bond With Your Cat – 8 Tips

October 29, 2021 By: Summer Samba17 Comments

Summer offers 8 tips on how to bond with your cat, all based on better understanding cat needs and behavior.

Yes, I was born with an exceptionally good temperament. And my breed, Somali, is known for bonding strongly with their main humans. But that doesn’t mean you can’t have a great bond with your cat, no matter where they came from or their genetics. It just takes understanding, and a little effort. The kind of effort you would put into any relationship that mattered to you.

Unlike humans, cats are not that hard to figure out, as long as you know the parameters. So here are 8 tips that will help you create a deeper bond, and bring you closer together.

  1. Create fun routines for you and your cat
    Cats love routine and consistency, so create routines that are enjoyable for them. Maybe have them do a little trick, like high five, before dinner, or make up a bedtime treat or play routine. And be consistent — don’t do them for a couple of days and forget for the next week. The more predictable you are, the happier your cat will be.
     
  2. Share one on one time with your cat
    Everyone loves quality time, and that includes your cat. So dedicate a few minutes each day for a play session, or brushing, if that’s what they like. If you think they’d like to venture outside, spend time harness and leash training them. Or maybe do training sessions. Cats that get into trouble are often very smart, so channel that energy into something productive.
     
  3. Learn your cat’s own language and signals
    While cat personality traits aren’t as varied as humans’, each one is a little different. Sometimes a lot different! Many cats get overstimulated and act out by attacking or biting — learn your own cat’s signals so you can stop touching or petting them before they get to that point. Some cats like their tummies rubbed, but many don’t. Respect boundaries. Your cat will appreciate it. Learn what your cat likes best, and do that. Find out what they don’t like, and don’t do those.
     
  4. Get on your cat’s level
    Depending on your age and level of fitness, this may be easier said than done! If you have no problem getting on the floor — and then getting up — do get down to your cat’s eye level when you are talking to them and playing with them. Hovering over a cat can be scary. Imagine if a creature as tall as a 10 story building tried talking to you. Even if they were friendly, you’d be pretty nervous, wouldn’t you?
     
  5. Learn your cat’s favorite treats
    The majority of cats love treats, and if your cat is one of these, then figure out which treats they love best, and make a special treat time routine. I have different treats for different occasions. My very, very favorite treats (freshly roasted chicken and turkey) only come out on very special occasions, like filming and personal appearances. My next favorite are the freeze dried treats and I get those for my training sessions. What treats does your cat love — and what can you do to make them even more special?
     
  6. When your cat acts out, think in terms of solution, not punishment
    No cat is perfect (not even me!), but when we misbehave, it’s never random. There’s always a reason behind our behavior. We feel threatened in some way, or we aren’t getting enough attention, or maybe we are sick. There is some way our needs aren’t getting met. So don’t be quick to think we are being bad just to upset you. Think about what could be behind the behavior, and work on solving that. It’ll be a much better, and more permanent solution to a behavior issue.
     
  7. Let your cat solicit attention. Don’t be a chaser
    Nobody likes being pestered all the time, and that goes double for cats. While we are more sociable than many people assume, we still value our independence and need alone time and peace. Think of us as introverts who can still enjoy a party every so often. If you let your cat decide when they want to share space with you, they will feel a lot more comfortable about your time together. Also let them decide when they are done. Don’t make a cat stay when they want to go.
     
  8. Treat your cat as part of family
    This should be a no brainer, but so many people consider cats as low maintenance pets that don’t need to be part of their day. This kind of neglect does a great disservice to your cat — and to you. The cat-human bond can be so rich and wonderful and intimate and fun. Include your cat in your daily activities, even something as simple as hanging out and watching TV. If you get up to grab a snack from the fridge, grab some treats for your cat while you’re at it. Little things like this really do make a difference.

I hope you enjoyed my tips! Do you do some of these already? Which ones do you think are the most important? Let me know in the comments.

Other posts you’ll enjoy:

  • The Cat-Human Bond Is Deeper Than You May Think
  • 5 Awesome Things Cats Do For Humans
  • Seven Typical Cat Behaviors That Mystify Humans
How to Bond With Your Cat - 8 Tips
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Comments

  1. Rey garA says

    February 21, 2023 at 2:30 pm

    Love you Summer. Your so smart and inspirational. I love how you volunteer.

    Reply
  2. Catherine Lingg says

    November 3, 2021 at 11:46 am

    Great tips Summer. I think I’m a pretty good human cat mom. I passed the test. Mol

    Reply
  3. pat k says

    October 29, 2021 at 11:55 pm

    All good. I’ve seen these suggestions in action and
    they work.

    Reply
  4. Meezer'sMews&TerrieristicalWoofs says

    October 29, 2021 at 8:59 pm

    Great tips! We did a lot of those things with the 6 kitties who lived here over the years, even incorporating them into the baby’s’ routines when they were around. That would have been Groucho and Simba the first two…

    Reply
  5. Cathy Keisha says

    October 29, 2021 at 6:59 pm

    Good tips! I am surprised that my peeps pass the test but I still bite. I think they should never sleep or sleep during the day when I sleep. That’s why I bite them to wake them up. I love the morning routine when Pop brushes me and loves on me. Then when I jump on the bed TW brings the laser dot out to play. She only bothers me to play when she hears me start to run. I mostly want to play when she wants to eat but she stops to play with me on my time.

    Reply
  6. Rebecca Lewis says

    October 29, 2021 at 6:33 pm

    Summer, you are so beautiful. We like your tips. Especially the one about “favorite treats”, that really should have been the first top. Just sayin’. We all don’t like the gonna-catch-you chase, but Piewhackits loves to play chase. She likes to play zoom-around and will slow down so that she’s almost caught then zoom off again, getting so disappointed if you don’t chase after her. Umm, buuuut, what’s a “pun-ish-ment”? We never heard of those before! Have a great weekend! Hugs!

    Reply
  7. Sasha says

    October 29, 2021 at 3:53 pm

    Great tips Summer. I will pass them on to my human. Sasha

    Reply
  8. Ellen Pilch says

    October 29, 2021 at 3:45 pm

    Great tips. I need to stop trying to touch my ferals.

    Reply
  9. Brian says

    October 29, 2021 at 3:41 pm

    Love those tips and they are all worthwhile!

    Reply
  10. Melissa & Mudpie says

    October 29, 2021 at 3:19 pm

    These are pawsome tips! Mudpie and I are pretty tight and I think we hit pretty much all of these!

    Reply
  11. Memories of Eric and Flynn says

    October 29, 2021 at 12:42 pm

    Good tips. I used to sit down in the fields with Flynn when it was just him. When it came to getting up I did a good impression of a crab.

    Reply
  12. Raven Indulgedfurries says

    October 29, 2021 at 12:36 pm

    Great tips, Summer. With 4 of here now, Mom tries to make sure we all get at least a few minutes of personal attention every day. .

    Reply
  13. Caren says

    October 29, 2021 at 8:48 am

    I have been bad with Roary…eeek………I used to have daily routines with both Bobo and Cody…….I start playing with Roary daily then, like you said it slides for a few more days…….I MUST get back into that routine. Roary loves me but I KNOW our bond could be deepened if I played with him one on one more. Thanks for mentioning Roary could possibly be a good therapy cat…….I am seriously thinking of looking into that! Coming from YOU that’s a huge endorsement!

    Reply
  14. Eastside Cats says

    October 29, 2021 at 6:52 am

    Summer, I really, REALLY try not to be a grabbyhands, but sometimes, I just have to pick up an Eastside Cat and smooch ’em!
    Sweetie gives me her murder mitts, however…

    Reply
  15. The Poupounette Gang says

    October 29, 2021 at 4:38 am

    It’s always good to be reminded if the many ways to bond your cat. At the moment, #1 is busy figuring out how to Benny-proof the house properly!

    Purrs,
    Tama and Benny

    Reply
  16. MARIETTE VANDENMUNCKHOF-VEDDER says

    October 29, 2021 at 1:36 am

    Dearest Summer,
    Guess over the almost 20 years living with a kitty or with several, has made us a little bit cat-like.
    They sure need their own ways and time and plenty of it as they love to chill after their meals.
    But they can be oh so loving and there is no greater bliss than a purring, happy kitty.
    Hugs,
    Mariette

    Reply
  17. Mickey's Musings says

    October 29, 2021 at 1:31 am

    Great advice Summer!!!
    I have a super bond with mum 🙂
    We ARE and spend lots of time together :)family!
    Purrs, Julie

    Reply

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