5 reasons why a cat is not affectionate: how to make it more affectionate

The character of a cat is formed in the womb at the genetic level. If the kitten’s mother was kind and gentle, then there is a high chance that the baby will inherit the same character traits. In addition, the fact that the kitten communicates not only with a caring mother cat, but also with its father, during the first 1-2 months is also important. The atmosphere of raising a baby at this time leaves its mark on his future life. Don't forget about social adaptation. Kittens, who were caressed by human hands in childhood, grew up in love and harmony - with an accuracy of 99%, in the future they will be filled with love for the world around them and people. But what to do if you don’t know all the details of the first days of a kitten’s life? Perhaps you even found him on the street and decided to shelter him? There are a couple of effective methods that will help you raise an affectionate cat or try to re-educate an already adult and unapproachable cat.

How to tame a wild kitten

Future owners are worried: how to tame a kitten, what if the situation gets out of control and an unaffectionate cat will grow out of a cute creature. The baby quickly gets used to it and begins to understand:

Where is the toilet.
Where is the bowl of food?
Who lives in the family, from whom you need to hide.

To tame a cat you will have to wait ten days (maximum). Usually this much time is spent on re-educating a street dweller.

It’s worth learning from the very beginning: a kitten’s squeak means “I feel bad,” while purring is a sign of goodwill and contentment.

There is no need to push a squeaking lump into a bathtub of water or allow children to cause pain. The kitten should feel safe and loved. It’s easy to accustom a kitten to handling and rules of behavior (both in the house and at an exhibition): affection, play and treats will do.

Once the baby is in the house, you need to give him time to calm down. You can leave him in an unlocked cage or put him in a low cat basket. Don't forget to place a bowl of water nearby.

In a calm environment, the kitten will soon crawl out of its shelter and go to inspect the territory of the house. Don't pick him up just yet. It is enough to gently stroke him and say a few words in a calm tone. Then transfer to a bowl and praise. In this case, the kitten in your hands will not perceive the action as danger.

Within 24 hours, the cat will begin to trust its owner and may jump onto its lap. The kitten will learn to sit quietly in your arms if you support it by its back. The warmth of the hand is soothing, and any possible fear of heights disappears.

This is interesting: A cat with long legs

How long will it take to tame

The duration of the taming process depends on the character of the animal and the patience of the owner. It is different for everyone, so it is impossible to give an exact answer - for some the process will take a month, and for others even a year will not be enough. If you do everything correctly and calmly, the result will not be long in coming.

If the cat does not go into your arms, but he is calm, has a good appetite, and there is no reason to worry, then it is better to leave him alone.

Important! There is no need to try to forcibly accustom the animal to contact, this will only make him angry.

Knowing how to tame a kitten in your hands, it is easy to achieve the desired effect. If you follow the necessary rules and have patience, you can achieve the desired results in a fairly short time. It is recommended to remember that not all breeds are prone to constant contact with humans, so you should not try to pick up the animal by force.

Reasons for behavior change

If a previously affectionate cat has stopped making contact with her owner or has become aggressive, then most likely something is bothering her. The most common reasons for changes in animal behavior :

disease;
puberty;
stress;
poor care;
age.

If you correctly understand the cause and eliminate it, the cat will become habitually affectionate.

The cat is sick

Poor health greatly affects the character of the pet. A sick cat, who only yesterday loved affection, today may hide from its owner or even attack him. By its behavior, the animal shows that something is bothering it.

Show the animal to the cat doctor - veterinarian. After examination and examination, he will be able to determine whether the animal is healthy and, if necessary, prescribe treatment. Follow all the recommendations and your pet will quickly recover. After a complete recovery, the pet will be the same as it was before the illness.

The kitten has grown up

The kitten grows up and, under the influence of hormones, its character begins to change. Marks appear in the house, and the animal may even try to escape in search of a member of the opposite sex. Often the cat becomes aggressive and may scratch or bite the owner. Behavior does not depend on whether the animal is allowed outside or not. Some owners believe that if they take the cat to mating, he will become calmer, but this is fundamentally wrong, the situation will only get worse.

The only solution is castration. After the operation, the cat will become as affectionate as before . The animal will be calmer and will happily begin to spend time with its owner.

Stress

In an unfamiliar environment, the animal behaves warily and sometimes aggressively. Moving to a new home or acquiring a new pet disrupts the cat’s usual way of life. Also, your pets will not be happy about vacation trips or moving to the garden for the summer.

After adaptation, which lasts about 3 weeks, the cat will become affectionate again. In order to facilitate this process, you can give your pet calming tablets, which are sold in pet stores. Most likely, the cat will not be affectionate until the adaptation is complete.

Poor animal care

Poor grooming of a cat can make it unkind. A hungry animal becomes irritable. Therefore, it is important to give the animal high-quality, healthy food that contains all the necessary vitamins and microelements. A dirty litter box can also irritate your cat, so either clean the litter box immediately after use or buy an absorbent litter.

The animal must not be beaten or shouted at. A frightened cat will not be affectionate because it is afraid of its owner. Communication should be friendly, pamper the animal with treats more often and play with it. A satisfied cat will be affectionate with its owner and will enjoy spending time with him.

Education of personal qualities

How to bury a cat and where to do it correctly.
How to raise a kitten correctly so that living with him in the same apartment does not cause inconvenience? In order for a kitten to grow up obedient, you should spend time with him as often as possible, talking about what he can do indoors and what not. A cat is able to react to the slightest change in a person’s intonation. Therefore, it is absolutely not necessary to shout at the furry purr. It is enough just to change the intonation, scolding the baby for mischief or praising him for success.

Important! You should be patient and not expect your cat to learn new skills too quickly.

How to raise a cat to be calm and tame? To prevent the kitten from causing chaos in the house and damaging the furniture, you should provide it with free access to toys. In your free time, it is important not only to caress your furry pet, but also to play outdoor games with it so that the animal releases energy and is obedient when the owner is away from the house. If a kitten begins to scratch and bite heavily during play, you need to make a remark and switch its attention to some object (a ball, a rope with a toy, or an artificial mouse).

In order to achieve calmness for the animal in situations where there is a joint trip in the car or a walk in the yard, it is important to create the most comfortable environment for him. To do this, the cat must be placed in a comfortable carrier and given time to get used to the confined space. It is advisable to pet your pet at this time so that the kitten copes with stress. Only after this can you hit the road.

Often cat owners are interested in how to teach their pets not to disturb them at night. In this case, it is recommended to give a prohibitory command in a stern tone at the moment active night games begin. If this does not work, you need to take your pet in your arms and place it next to you on the bed. The kitten, feeling the owner’s hand, will calm down and go to bed. To ensure that the animal does not disturb the night's rest, the steps described above will need to be repeated every night. Gradually, the fluffy purr will get used to the fact that in the dark you can’t make noise.

Important! To prevent the kitten from growing up aggressive, you should not allow shouting or loud noise in the house. Treatment of both the tailed boy and the girl should be soft and gentle.

Training will help you raise a calm pet

The breed of a cat affects its character

Some cats are not affectionate from birth, but they can be made more friendly. There are factors that influence the behavior of an animal. The first importance here is the breed: a British cat most likely will not want to sit on your hands, since he has an independent character.

In order to make your cat more affectionate, pamper her, spend time with her, play, then she will purr more often and will begin to seek communication on her own..

Questions and Answers Why cats purr - reasons and how they do it

Questions and Answers How to raise an affectionate and obedient kitten

Making a cat's face (first option)

Master class “How to make a cat out of paper”: making a face using the first method:

Place a square sheet of paper in front of you (Illustration 1).
Fold the top right and bottom left corners together. The result will be a triangle (Figure 2).
Fold the left corner of the triangle down so that its tip is flush with the bottom, but not touching it (as in Illustration 3).
Fold the right corner in the same way as the left (Illustration 4).
Fold the middle corner up slightly, as in illustration 5.
Turn the figure over.
Draw the eyes, nose, mouth and antennae (Illustration 6). You can also add eyebrows.

The cat's face is ready!

Restricted areas

If your pet comes up to you to rub against your legs, do not yank him to pick him up. Remember, cats do not like to be deprived of their freedom and treated like a doll. Just gently call the cat to your sofa for petting. If she wants, she will come, and then you can caress her. But not all places on a cat’s body crave these caresses. There are areas, touching which alarms the animal and instinctively provokes it into aggression or escape. These areas include:

Stomach;

Tail and under it;

Paws.

It is best to observe the cat’s reaction to your touch; over time, you yourself will understand which places it is better not to touch, and in which areas it is better to double the portion of strokes.

Features of feline psychology

When a person wants to make friends with someone, he tries to win him over.
It's the same with cats. Experienced cat lovers say that studying the psychology of pets is an extremely exciting task. To raise an affectionate cat, you need to work hard, studying the motives of the animal’s actions. It has been noticed that the behavior of kittens is greatly influenced by the attitude of the mother cat towards people. A predator who is ready to see everyone as an enemy, capable of encroaching on the life of her children, food or territory, will not raise trusting and affectionate offspring. The behavior model of elders is very important in order to learn to survive and therefore is firmly fixed in the minds of children.

The person who takes the baby home becomes an example for him. The kitten transfers the “mother-child” model to it. And if “mother” behaves restlessly, aggressively, punishes for puddles on the parquet floor or an overturned flower pot, then the baby will grow up to be a nervous, embittered cat.

A cat by its nature is an independent loner that cannot be obeyed. It is impossible to teach a cat to “serve”. However, if you remember that you should not show your superiority to the cat and “crush” it with your authority, then the animal will stop perceiving the owner as an aggressor and will coexist peacefully in a common territory.

Psychologists say that a cat is more willing to put up with a person than with its fellow cat. It is worth using this feature in raising a kitten. An even tone, without loud shouts, a kind attitude is more likely to raise an affectionate friend than spanking, shouting, and aggression.

A cat's character deteriorates if it is treated like a toy without taking into account its needs. Cats sleep most of the time; you should not wake her if you want to pick her up or play. An animal that is not awake may react aggressively to these advances.

The cat is a vindictive animal. Not understanding why she is being shouted at and punished, she may then behave very unfriendly. Excessive squeezing can have the opposite effect. If the owner takes into account only his own needs, then the cat will defend his own in his own “animal” manner.

The character of a street cat is especially unpredictable. Having adopted a homeless “purr”, you should not expect that out of gratitude he will become what you want him to be. After all, aggressive, independent behavior is the main key to successful survival on the street.

How to catch a wild kitten that is afraid of people

Although caring for a cat takes less effort than caring for a dog, adopting an outdoor cat is a big responsibility. It’s a pity for the little lump, scared and frozen, squeaking near the trash can or the entrance door. He will not scratch or bite if you put the kitten in your palm, stroke it, and mutter a few gentle soothing words. The warmth of human hands for a baby is a guarantee of food and safety.

Please note that we are talking only about feral and street cats, whose ancestors have always lived with humans. The real wild cats, which can only be tamed by Yuri Kuklachev and the Zapashny brothers, are:

Jungle Cat (House);
European forest cat;
Amur (Far Eastern) cat - inherits aggression towards humans and fear.

For an outdoor wild cat or kitten from the street, a visit to the veterinarian is mandatory, as it can be a carrier of viruses and infections that are dangerous to the health of humans or other animals in the house.

The newborn was probably thrown out by people: no hand was raised to drown or poison. Opening her eyes, the baby captured the person as a relative. Therefore, he does not experience aggression towards people. It’s easy to domesticate this one: it will get used to its new home and fall in love with its new owner in an evening.

Imprinting (instant early memory) of kittens that were born and lived in an attic or basement for a couple of months does not apply to humans. Stray cat cubs can remain feral for life.

The little “animals” run away, and when you try to pick them up, they bite. To catch a wild cat, use primitive traps:

large box;
baby bath;
a rabbit cage without a bottom;
regular carry...

They put food on the ground and cover it, for example, with a box.

Important. Consider the size of the animal. A heavy container falling on its back can injure the cat.

All that remains is to lift it and place one side on a support with a rope. As soon as the animal approaches the food, the stick is pulled out.

A more complex option: a cage with a lowered door (kotolovka). Triangular-shaped nets with a long handle and noose loops are also used.

To catch a domestic yard kitten, it is enough to regularly feed it by hand and talk to it. In a couple of days the baby will come running when called and allow himself to be petted.

When thinking about how to tame a cat, a person forgets: the cat chooses the owner. It was the cat who first began to meow, demanding food and attention, rubbing against her legs, showing affection. Once in the apartment, the animal adapts to the rhythm of the owner, giving him special, cat-like care.

This is interesting: Why doesn't the cat let the cat near?

Spray bait

Sometimes a cat must be accustomed to being handled using a special bait spray, which is sold in a pharmacy and usually contains catnip extract; this is necessary in cases where the kitten has been running wild for a long time and categorically refuses to make contact. Most often, this phenomenon is observed if the animal has suffered from people and because of this cannot help but fear even its owner, who loves it and has created comfortable living conditions for it. Also, basement kittens, which have largely returned to the behavior of their wild ancestors, are often distinguished by distrust.

The spray should be applied not to clothes, but to the palms of the hands, so that the kitten gets used to the person, and not to the thing. The smell of the product acts on the animal like a drug, and therefore the pet will, despite its fear, still run to the owner and rub against the hands. Gradually, the kitten will understand that there is nothing dangerous or unpleasant when communicating with a person. As a result of this, in the future, even without a spray, the pet will be willing to be handled.

When using a spray, it is important not to exceed the norm so that the baby does not become accustomed to it and begins to suffer from the lack of the drug. Because of this, you cannot use the product more often than once a day. This remedy should be used more often if you had to take an adult cat into your home.

How to accustom a cat to hands and affection

If you want cat affection, become patient and affectionate yourself. An outdoor cat will begin to trust a person when it gets used to his smell and voice. He will associate his appearance with a pleasant event (food, affection).

A wild cat is tamed in the same way as a kitten. First, treats are brought regularly. Then they hold out their palm with a piece of the most delicious thing (the delicacy lies in the center of the palm, not on the fingers!), and allow it to be sniffed. When the cat begins to approach, perhaps rubs its head on its leg, you can pet it in response, speaking calmly and affectionately.

A common mistake: in order to tame a cat at home, he is immediately locked in a room - the animal will try to escape as soon as it is freed.

You can call the cat with you, after a few meters, stop, praise, and give a treat again. The main thing is that if you come, give her the opportunity to leave. Without feeling afraid, the pet will return.

Reasons why a cat doesn't like to be held

Animal psychologists say that there are some good reasons why cats do not like to sit in their owner's arms. Let's look at some of them:

Firstly, it is difficult to sit a kitten in your arms that has lived on the street for a long time. If no one has ever held him in their arms before, he will sincerely not understand why he needs to sit on his master’s lap. Well, they fed me, gave me something to drink, but why these incomprehensible hugs?
The cat does not like to be without balance, in weightlessness, this is exactly how the pet perceives this situation when it is at the height of human height.
There are cats that are afraid of heights.
Bad memories do not allow the kitten to relax and calmly sit on its owner’s lap. If the animal is a street animal or from a family where it was not treated particularly well, or, on the contrary, was abused, then it will be difficult for it to adapt to a new relationship. The cat's memory has a completely different picture of what can be expected from human hands.
The pungent odor emanating from the owner may not allow the cat to sit in his arms. As you know, cats have a highly developed sense of smell; their delicate nose perceives even the most insignificant odors. Those odors that come from the owner's hands can be pungent and extremely unpleasant for him. It could be the smell of washing powder, detergent, hand cream, or your favorite French perfume.
There are also some especially freedom-loving breeds that do not tolerate “calf” tenderness, an abundance of communication and the master’s hands. They prefer solitude. These cats are good for busy business people who are rarely at home. These are breeds such as the British, Scottish Fold.

Why is the cat not affectionate?

If a cat scratches and bites as an adult, the owners themselves are to blame. While still playing with her, they allowed her to “claw” in excitement. At first it's funny, then the adult:

bites legs;
does not allow himself to be combed;
spoils things, marks territory.

The simplest veterinary examination and medical procedures (injections, enemas) turn into a nightmare for the owner.

The independence and aggressiveness of a mustachioed cohabitant should not be shown towards family members. If the owners are afraid, the pet will become impudent. It is recommended to hold the cat in your arms more often and show affection. After taming, release it for further exploration of the area, praise and treat it with something tasty for good behavior.

Gradually the cat will understand: nothing bad is happening. If you do this regularly, at the same time talk affectionately, give a piece of “yummy” - after a while you can add short-term combing, examining the ears and other manipulations.

An irrepressible desire to “cuddle” can also be the reason why a cat becomes less affectionate. Small children will happily play with the kitty and pull its ear or tail.

Adults sometimes don’t lag behind (especially if the cat is not their property): they shamelessly shove pieces from the table, try to stroke them and pick them up against their will. It's not the cat that needs to be blamed, but the owner:

If the cat is not the highlight of the program, it is better to isolate it in another room. Or warn the guest about correct behavior.
For children, it is better to find other fun, otherwise the simplest scratch on the hand of an uncontrollable child will ruin the evening.
When neither the person nor the cat is particularly anxious, let them interact as they wish.

Advice. It is advisable to wash your hands not only after interacting with an animal, but also before. Precautionary measures apply to small unvaccinated kittens.

The selection of some breeds followed the path of consolidating external characteristics. Such cats are more attached to the territory than to the owner. For example, bobtails and Norwegian forest cats do not recognize excessive affection.

It is better to choose a Burmese, Siamese, Sphynx or Rex or an ordinary yard cat - a “mongrel”. “Human-dependent” cats can hardly tolerate loneliness, they are easy to tame and they love the affection of their owner.

Sins of upbringing and how can you correct them?

But what should you do if you came across our article after you adopted a kitten or you were not the one raising the cat? It doesn’t matter, because even mistakes and some flaws can be tried to be eliminated. This will be more difficult than initially teaching a kitten your rules and laws, but it is still possible. Let's look at the most common mistakes that were made in caring for a pet.

Wrong toilet

It often happens that a kitten starts going to the toilet in the wrong place. Often such a place can be a sofa or, much worse, your bed. What to do? First of all, you should not try to scold or beat the animal, this will be of little use. Most likely, in childhood the kitten had the opportunity to relieve itself in the bed and the wrong reaction followed.

Firstly, when a kitten appears in the house, you should not immediately take it into your bed, onto the sofa, etc. Give the baby a place, highlight a tray, show his territory. Let him stay away from your bed until he learns the rules of hygiene.

Secondly, it is important to choose the right place. If the kitten does not want to go to the litter box, but constantly chooses another place, put the tray there

Gnawing or tearing things, curtains, bedspreads

Having noticed the slightest interest of a kitten in furniture or home textiles, one should not allow this habit to develop. To do this, it is best to use a regular water spray. Cats really don’t like water, and such a surprise will help to quickly and effectively wean them from harmful actions.

At the same time, it is important to keep an eye on the miscreant and always prevent even the slightest intentions of approaching the curtains

Sharpens claws on furniture

Yes, this problem is familiar to many. In this case, both your new sofa and the walls in the corridor can become a sharpening machine. Most often, cats leave their marks in this way; it is an instinct. The best way to get rid of this is to place several scratching posts in the house and immediately accustom the animal to them. Also, trim your cat’s claws in a timely manner so that the cat does not have the desire to do manicure and nail care on his own.

Scratching and biting

You need to wean yourself from this habit from childhood. When playing, do not use your hands and fingers, but purchase special toys. If during play the kitten bites and scratches you, then he will do the same at a conscious age. If such actions do not help, then during a bad habit you can lightly flick the baby on the nose. This is what a mother cat does if she wants to punish her child.

Marks corners

Males often have this problem. Of course, it greatly complicates the care and relationship with the animal. But don't worry. Try spraying the marks with a strong scent. For example, citrus essential oil, which will definitely discourage the prankster.

Is it possible to tame an adult cat to a new owner?

A cat tolerates a change of owner more easily than a dog. The exception is socially oriented breeds, for example, Oriental Siamese. They will gradually become affectionate with their new owners, but the first one is the only one for life.

The best way to train, even for a sexually mature individual, is not food, but play. First, an adult cat must get used to the territory. It is better to leave your pet to explore its new home on its own, and after a while offer some food from your hands. Just like a treat. At the same time, do not forget to talk measuredly, but not to stroke.

As soon as the cat gets used to it a little, you can:

lightly scratch a chair or furniture - so that the cat reacts to the sound near the owner;
roll a ball or ball of wool near you, inviting you to play;
“drive” a candy wrapper.

The cat quickly joins the game. After a while, you should again give a piece of food from your hand and praise it.

Taming an adult wild cat

An adult feral cat has either never had a home of its own, or has had negative experiences with people and has forgotten how to trust them. To establish contact with an animal, the following conditions must be met:

Communicate with wild animals in a calm environment.
Do not grab or make sudden movements.
You can wait until the cat shows interest and lure it with a treat.
Try to pet the animal if the cat comes close or jumps onto your lap. But at the first sign of dissatisfaction, it is better to remove your hand.

You need to make sure that the cat is not frightened by the strong smell from clothes, too loud a voice, or any other factors of the new external environment. Cats are very careful animals; in order to relax, they need to feel completely safe.

Care and attention

Cats love to take care of themselves and each other. Try to become her best friend and use a special soft cat brush to gently comb her fur. If the pet is delighted, it will begin to lick itself. If the procedure begins to irritate the cat, its tail will twitch nervously, which means it’s time to finish these manipulations and move on to playing with candy wrappers (for example).

Recommendations for raising cats

Eye contact.
The cat family has a negative attitude towards staring and the manner of looking eye to eye. Pets regard such behavior as a challenge and preparation for an attack. Regardless of your cat's age, do not supervise it closely. Observe your pet with peripheral vision without giving yourself away. If you are looking at a cat directly, blink smoothly and frequently, and do not keep your eyes open all the time. After time, your pet will appreciate the changes in your behavior and will want more attention.
Proper care.
A cat will grow up affectionate and loving only if it receives the necessary care from its owner. By nature, four-legged friends take care of each other. Your pet expects the same from you. The cat will appreciate the actions associated with slowly stroking its fur and scratching its neck area. Buy a comb, take care of the animal’s fur, while at the same time saying affectionate words in a quiet voice. If you notice a twitching of the tail, this means that the cat is tired of being handled. Reschedule procedures for another time. Purring and stretching will tell you that the pet is happy.
Treating yourself with a treat.
Make it a habit to carry a robe in your pocket and keep cat treats on hand. You can purchase a package of treats at a pet store or use homemade products based on your pet’s preferences. When the cat approaches you, give it a treat. Over time, the pet will get used to such actions and will be glad to be nearby. Give out double treats if your cat jumps into your arms.
Stroking.
When a cat gets used to the owner, his care, constant feeding of treats, display of restraint and patience, she is around more and more often. Be patient and monitor the animal's behavior. If your ward lies down next to you, placing her back or neck under your arm, do not skimp on stroking. With light movements, satisfy your pet's needs. At the slightest sign of dissatisfaction, stop manipulation. Affection should be in moderation.
Calmness and restraint.
If you recently brought a kitten into your home, adjust your behavior. Animals of this kind are afraid of sudden movements and loud sounds, especially if the person and the area are unfamiliar to them. Let the pet get used to its owner. Move smoothly, speak kindly and calmly. If possible, stay close to the cat as often as possible; it is not necessary to pick it up. Let the kitten come to you for a portion of tenderness and attention.
The direction of affection.
The cat family takes a long and persistent journey to begin to trust its owner. Many owners fail to achieve this even after 2-3 years of living together with their pet. If you are not one of them, having successfully made friends with your pet, follow the recommendations. When a cat comes to you for a portion of tenderness, you don’t need to grab it in your arms and pull it. Sit down next to him, scratch your tummy, neck, back. Let your pet rub its muzzle against you, stroke the bridge of its nose. Do not touch the cat in places where it is uncomfortable (paws, tail).

how to train a cat at home

Raising an affectionate pet

Often bad character is explained by simple bad manners. From the first days of a kitten's life, you need to raise it patiently but persistently. Inconsistent actions of the owner will cause bewilderment, irritation, and then aggression in the animal. If you allow your cat to sleep on your bed today, and tomorrow you drive it away due to excessive “cheekiness,” then the only thing you can achieve is fear and stress. Such a cat will develop distrust of its owner. Subconsciously, she will wait for a catch and simply won’t go along, expecting a sharp shout or a slap for her sympathy.

It is also necessary to take into account the physiological characteristics of cats. Cats are very sensitive to smells. A strong or unfamiliar aroma can provoke even the most affectionate cat into unusual behavior. An attempt to take your pet with hands smeared with cream, or press it to a perfumed chest, at best will result in flight, at worst - a desire to protect yourself from the “stranger”.

Such behavior that irritates a person, such as scratching furniture and walls, is not only a natural desire to “sharpen” an important tool for a predatory hunter - claws. It turns out that on the paw pads there are glands that secrete a special secretion with which the animal marks its territory.

Trying to wean someone from doing such things using shouting and punishment means getting an angry neurasthenic instead of a pet. It’s better to say firmly, quietly: “You can’t!” - and transfer the cat to the scratching post. Not immediately, but the animal will stop spoiling the furniture and the owner’s nerves. Sometimes loud, demonstrative scratching is the cat’s desire to draw attention to himself.

Often we don’t even understand that some action of a cat signifies his affection and love. If a person trips over a fluffy handsome man who, like in a circus, is trying to walk next to his feet and screams loudly, then instead of irritation at the inconvenience, one should experience a feeling of pride and gratitude.

With a loud meow, the cat expresses joy and greets you. And he rubs against his legs to declare that this person is his, showing his special affection. So maybe we don't understand the signals that "unkind" animals use to express their love to us.

Inappropriate behavior may indicate that the cat is sick, scared, irritated, or offended by lack of attention. To understand a cat correctly, it is worth learning its language.

A treat in your pocket

It wouldn’t be bad if you always had a piece of something tasty for your cat in your robe. So that at the moment when your pet cuddles up to you, you can thank her and treat her. Well, if she went further and jumped into your arms, continuing to purr, then the portion of the bribe can be doubled. It is important at such moments to maintain calm, without showing violent delight. Do not wave your arms and speak quietly so as not to scare the animal.

How not to behave around a cat

Cats are quite freedom-loving and touchy creatures. If the owner has ever offended the cat, the cat will never approach him again. And you can’t even dream of him jumping onto your lap. If the cat receives affection and attention from the owner, then gradually he will get used to the person and respond with mutual affection.

It should be remembered that cats will never do anything against their will. There is no need to forcefully hold them on your knees; this still will not lead to the desired result. The animal itself must want to sit or sleep on its owner’s lap.

If a small kitten tolerates the owner’s caresses normally, then at the first sign of anxiety, it should be released. When the animal begins to nervously beat its tail on the floor, it says that I’m tired, I have a lot of things to do.

Features of animal communication

Animals have their own language - this is, first of all, body language. It’s worth learning it to understand how to behave in order to gain mutual understanding. Scientists believe that loud meowing is speech addressed to a person. Animals communicate with each other differently. In addition to obvious aggressive body movements, the language of movements of the ears and tail is especially expressive. If the cat has:

the ears are directed to the sides and slightly pressed, then this sign speaks of fear, mistrust, and readiness to rush to defend oneself;
the ears are directed back and pressed tightly to the head - this is a signal of horror, panic, aggression, readiness to attack;
ruffled hair on the tail - a desire to increase size and frighten the enemy;
Slow swaying of the tail from side to side – mild irritation;
a sharp twitching in the horizontal plane of the tip of the tail is pronounced aggression.

The language of cats is much richer than described. The cat is trying to “talk”, so try to understand what is being said. In addition, there are a number of actions to which a cat reacts only aggressively.

Who is the head in this house

Never humiliate a cat by pointing out its place in the house. They are by nature incapable of obeying and can only feel happy when they are on an equal footing with their household members. Screaming, beating and punishment will not help you in raising your pet. Give her freedom and let her be the mistress of the house. Only steely patience and methodical persuasion will help correct her behavior. But on the other hand, the cat will definitely thank you for your understanding with its tenderness and affection.

Ways to train a kitten

Sometimes you can’t just calmly sit a kitten in your arms, because it gets scared and, even when it recognizes the person, continues to struggle. In order for a pet to be willingly given into the owner’s hands, it is necessary to accustom it to this, if it itself does not show a desire to actively make contact. As soon as the kitten realizes that communicating with the owner, when he takes him in his hands, brings him pleasure, the baby himself will strive to cuddle the person. Be sure to hold the kitten correctly, caress the pet and talk calmly to it. It’s very good if the cat starts playing while in your arms.

The kitten will quickly stop being afraid to be handled if you use one of the training methods below.

Using the characteristics of animal physiology. After the kitten has eaten well, it begins to feel sleepy, since maximum energy is spent on digesting food. If the animal is warm and comfortable at this moment, it will begin to experience special pleasure. The owner may well provide the pet with the illusion that he is lying next to his mother if he picks up a well-fed, dozing kitten and cuddles him, but without squeezing. Gradually, the baby will get used to the fact that sitting in your arms is very pleasant and safe.
Talk. Monotonous, affectionate conversation with the kitten gradually begins to relax it. At this moment, the owner has the opportunity to gently stroke the pet behind the ear or in the throat area. If the kitten reacted calmly to such affection, you need to place your palms on its sides. If the baby does not break free here, he is carefully picked up. When the kitten tries to escape, you should not restrain it by force. Such sessions must be repeated several times a day, until the baby agrees to stay on the owner’s lap.
Lure with a treat. This method is most suitable for kittens who are particularly freedom-loving and cannot combine being held in their arms with pleasant sensations. Using a treat, the owner lures the pet onto his lap. While the kitten is eating the treat, you need to stroke it on the back, but under no circumstances hold it by force. Gradually, the baby will get used to the fact that it is pleasant to be held and will actively seek the company of the owner.
Overcoming the fear of heights. As strange as it may sound, some cats are terrified of heights. Because of this, when a kitten is picked up incorrectly and he perceives what is happening as floating in the air, he experiences a severe shock. This phenomenon can be prevented simply by starting to hold the baby correctly. Then his fear of hands will go away. You need to take the kitten with one hand under the armpits, and place the other under its hind legs. After this, the baby should be held close to you, but not squeezed. If the fear is panicky, then first you need to accustom the kitten to your hands while sitting on the floor.
Training in the game. This method is suitable for active kittens who are not yet ready to exchange free time for affection. When playing with such a baby with a toy, you should gradually pull it onto your lap. After the kitten jumps into your arms, you need to let him catch the toy here and enjoy the catch. While the kitten is playing in your arms, you can pet it. Gradually, such games with jumping into hands will lead to the fact that the animal will not only completely get used to the hands, but will not be able to do without affection and close contact with a person. With this nature of the pet, you should often allow the cat to sit in your arms while playing with the owner.

The choice of method depends on the individual characteristics of the kitten, and each owner must evaluate for himself which method is optimal in his case. In principle, accustoming a kitten to affection cannot fail, you just don’t need to stubbornly follow a method that is not suitable, but need to be creative in your approach.

Anticipate events

An example: the owner is going to train the kitten to use the litter box. To do this, he bought an expensive, comfortable and beautiful tray, poured filler into it and even held the kitten three times until the “victory end”.

And then the owner comes home from work, and all the waste products of the pet are anywhere but in the tray. What does the owner do? Of course he punishes. And this seems quite natural to people.

But the kitten is not a person, and for him it looks completely different. He was waiting for the owner, sincerely rejoiced at his arrival, ran to meet him, and he, instead of scratching behind his ear, began to scream, grabbed him, and even punished him. Next time the baby will be afraid of the owner's arrival. And later it will become completely uncontrollable.
But what should be done? Just create conditions under which the baby doesn’t want to do anything dirty. Is the sofa tearing up? Spray the furniture with a special product that repels cats with its smell.
There are some on sale now. Humans cannot smell this smell, but cats find it unpleasant. This type of spray is used to wean moustaches from relieving themselves in the wrong place.

If you can’t find such a product on sale, you can always use a sprayer for home flowers. You see that the kitten has approached the sofa and is aiming to clean its claws, so spray water on it. If you do this every time, very soon the baby will understand that there is no need to do this.

Moreover, it is important to remember that you cannot break your rules. You can’t prohibit a kitten from climbing on the table today and give up on it tomorrow. It’s impossible today, which means it’s impossible always.

Passion for heights

You have probably repeatedly observed how street cats, in case of danger, hide in trees, climbing as high as possible. So, your domestic cat has the same instincts as stray cats. She sometimes wants to be able to be alone, somewhere high, for example on a closet. So that this secluded place is inaccessible to other animals in the house and people. Give her this opportunity by opening access to the closet, and in return you will receive great gratitude and respect.

Peculiarities of raising a Briton

This gorgeous breed requires proper coat and nail care.

For cutting, special pliers are used, which usually have a limiter so as not to touch the blood vessel located in the animal’s claw. You can also determine where the vessel ends by eye; just look at the nail in the light and you will see a small dark stripe that does not reach literally 2-3 mm to the end of the claw.

Before raising a British kitten, it is worth noting that these cats are quite selfish, so it is worth starting training in the first months of life. If the fidget does not react to prohibitions or even begins to put even more effort into his dirty tricks, you can use a proven method. To do this, you will need a regular spray bottle, pour a little water into it, and as soon as the smoky bully starts chewing the flowers on the windowsill, spray it a couple of times. It is best that he does not understand that such punishment comes from you, let him be convinced that this is happening involuntarily, and in order not to fall under a forced shower, he will begin to avoid such actions.

The British never consider himself guilty, for him the concept of guilt and conscience does not exist, and if you use physical punishment, you risk becoming his sworn enemy. To decide how to raise a British kitten, you will have to develop a whole plan of action.

Another option for a soft toy

It is aromatic and delicious thanks to catnip, an aromatic and flavoring additive. Cats love to chew on these devices. Time spent with a mint toy is not just a game, but also the prevention of caries. The product has a structure that removes plaque—soft and hard—from the teeth of a domestic predator.

Delicious and aromatic “Mint Leaf”

Continuing the theme of soft toys for cats, it is worth paying attention to the puppet toy.

To make it you will need:

an ordinary soft toy (you can also use the options that were shown in the master classes above);
stick (or regular pencil);
glue.

Toys on sticks

You need to cut a small hole at the bottom of the soft toy.

It should correspond in size to the diameter of the stick.

If filler comes out of the toy, the excess should be removed.

The animal should not be allowed to try to swallow the filler.

Next, apply a drop of glue to the tip of a stick or pencil and place it inside the toy.

It is not advisable to use tape in this situation, as it is less secure and may pose a health hazard to the cat if it swallows it.

When the puppet is ready, you can call the cat and wave this toy in front of him.

An interested animal can pounce on her and pat her.

The main thing is that the pussy plays with the puppet under the supervision of the owners.

Original part

Oriental cat

And although representatives of this breed are not the smartest, they are definitely the most sensitive and sensitive. It’s not for nothing that they are called telepaths of the cat world.

Oriental cats subtly and accurately notice even the most minor changes in the owner’s mood.

Cats always quickly and accurately find a sore spot and begin to quickly treat it with methods known only to the most mustachioed doctor.

The animals are very playful and temperamental, but this does not prevent them from quickly making friends with children and other pets.