Experienced cat owners know that cats dispense attention and affection on their terms and not yours. While some cats are more affectionate than others, as a rule, cats are just not as sociable as dogs. No two cats are alike. Are there any tricks or techniques to get your cat’s attention? Yes, and here are a few things to keep in mind.
A Few Things to Keep in Mind
- Don’t Expect Dog Behavior from a Cat/It’s Not Personal: Generally speaking, cats typically are not as social as dogs. So don’t expect them to be. Cats like their space and, as we said at the beginning of this article, they usually dispense attention and affection on their terms and not yours.
- Undisturbed Relaxation: Cats are notorious for chilling out. It’s what they do. Odds are when your cat is relaxing, the do not disturb sign is out. Be patient. When your cat is ready for human interaction, it will likely seek you out.
- A Trip to the Veterinarian May Be in Order: If your cat is normally affectionate and suddenly starts keeping to itself, it might be a signal that something is not right. If the behavior persists, you should consider having your veterinarian give your cat a check up to make sure there are no potential health issues causing your cat’s behavior change.
Tips To Try, Especially if Your Cat is a Bit Skittish
- Sit Quietly: Ever notice how cats seem to seek out the “non-cat” people in the room. There’s a good reason for that. Cats can be a bit skittish by nature so unless they have a bond with someone in the room, they will tend to avoid animated overtures for attention. Thus, the one who is sitting still and not making a fuss may well be the one person the cat seeks out.
- Try This Behavior Sequence: While sitting quietly, make a soft kissy sound. If your cat responds, extend one finger in his or her direction. Continue to sit quietly and let your cat come to you. Resist the urge to reach for your cat. Let him or her make the first contact. That will usually be a head bump or a rub from the side. That contact will be the signal that you may either respond with a scratch on the head or a rub on the back. If your cat shies away after contact, don’t get discouraged. Just continue the same process and over time your cat will become more comfortable with your affection and will begin to seek you out for attention.
- Try Your Cat’s Favorite Toy: If all else fails, engage your cat in a little play using its favorite toy. Unless your cat is engaged in some serious relaxation, he or she will respond to the opportunity to play. Just understand that once your cat tires of playing, it will likely return to whatever he or she was doing and may not necessarily be ready for your affection.
We hope you have found this information to be helpful. For more comprehensive information, we have included links to a few helpful articles below. If your cat is still ignoring you, we suggest you visit your veterinarian. Even if there are no health issues, your veterinarian will be able to provide you with even more helpful tips to strengthen that bond between you and your cat.
Sources:
https://www.petmd.com/cat/behavior/why-your-cat-ignoring-you
https://getyourpet.com/why-is-my-cat-ignoring-me/
Photo by Matthias Oben: https://www.pexels.com/photo/orange-tabby-cat-on-white-table-3687957/
