5 Tips to Help Your Cat Warm Up to Strangers
While cats may not seem as friendly as dogs, research has shown that most cats prefer human interaction over food—unbelievable, we know. This, of course, varies from cat to cat. Their social skills depend on several factors, from their age to their personalities and previous experiences.
But here’s the thing, cats can be extremely picky. So, be prepared to have a few disappointed friends because most cats will naturally gravitate toward certain people. They choose their humans but how they choose them is a mystery.
Having said that, here are a few tips you can try to make your cat seem less snobby.
You Need to Bond First
If you’ve got a cat, the first thing you need to do is build a special bond with it. If your cat doesn’t trust you, it’s not likely to trust the people you introduce it to. It needs to know that at least one person in the room is not a stranger.
That being said, it’s fairly easier to create a bond with a kitten. Adult cats take time to trust humans. This could be due to the personality they've developed over time, which could be affected by bad experiences with humans in the past. The best way to gain their trust is by associating yourself with their food.
Patience Is Key
Cats will take time to warm up to strangers, just like a human being. Some are shyer than others, but every cat will take time to be relaxed around new people.
Cats are extremely observant. They observe from afar and judge their surroundings before lowering their guard. If they’re forced to interact physically during this time, it’ll just push them further away.
Start with A Small Group
Do not ambush cats; they do not like surprises. The safest possible route is to take it slow by introducing a very small group of friends at a time.
Teach your friends to respect the cat's boundaries. They should not try to chase it or forcefully pet it. Preach the golden rule: the cat chooses its humans, not the other way around.
One Safe Haven At Least
Take note of the cat’s body language. If it’s baring its teeth or claws, it’s probably because it’s scared, not angry. Another sign that your cat is scared is it curling up in a corner. Also, look out for flat ears and big saucer eyes.
Make sure that the room is small with minimum hiding spots. Ideally, you should make sure that there is just one hide-out that the cat may retreat to if it feels too overwhelmed. When it starts relaxing, you'll see the change. It'll stretch out more, might purr a bit, and will start blinking slowly at the people it wants to connect with.
Reward Friendly Behavior
Cats are sophisticated creatures, and they do not like being pushed around. So, one thing that will absolutely not work is negative reinforcement. Be gentle and ask your friends to do the same.
Once the cat starts feeling comfortable and moves around, let your friends treat her with food. Let it explore the new faces and smells before petting it. If it lets a friend pet it, reward her with another treat.
If your cat is generally used to staying alone all day while you're at work, it will take its sweet time to warm up to strangers. You could try increasing its human interaction throughout the day by hiring a pet care service like ours.
Our cat-loving sitters can drop by your house multiple times a day to feed and play with your cat while you're away. This way, your cat will get used to trusting strangers. Our Chicago cat service is guaranteed to treat your cat like royalty; we can even drive it around town when you’re busy! Book our services now!