Best ways to gain your cat's trust

No matter what type of feline you have, you need to build mutual trust between you and your pet to enjoy a healthy and happy relationship. Your cat may be shy, aggressive, or just a new kitten; you can do a lot to boost its confidence and gain your cat's trust.

There are some basic rules every owner should follow when gaining the trust of their favorite pet.

Cats need their space

If you have just brought a kitten into your family, it will need some time to adjust, and some cats need more time than others. Let your cat research the house and find places it likes.

Cats enjoy their independence; cats need their space and will find a way to let you know when they want and need your attention and when they don't want their owners to usurp their privacy.

How to bond with your cat

Cats learn fast and understand us better than we think. Even though you may not be interacting with it directly, a cat can learn much about you just by watching you sit on the couch. 

Let your pet watch and learn about your movements, smells, and sounds - this will lead to better mutual understanding. 

If you are still looking for the correct answer on bonding with your cat, the most straightforward solution is to let your cat initiate bonding. 

Let the cat come first to you.

Some signs will show your cat is ready to start bonding, such as purring, kneading, or rubbing you with their forehead.

When your cat says "No"

If your cat responds to petting aggressively, try to limit petting sessions. Poking it with your finger or teasing it is not a good idea and a proper way to gain your cat's trust.

Try to use predictable and regular movements to understand its body language and learn where and how your cat likes to be petted.

Give your cat choices and respect its decisions

Cats begin to feel stressed when they have no control over their environment and enjoy choosing when, where, and with whom they interact.

Be patient

One of the most critical skills to practice with your cat is patience. Trying to force your little friend into a situation it isn't ready for will cause more damage than good and set you both back at the very beginning.

Be slow and quiet

When your cat is not near, practice moving slowly and quietly. Sudden movements or noise can send your feline to its hiding place. Booming voices also cause anxiety in cats. Do your best to speak with a soft and calm voice that will calm your furry friend, and talk to it as often as possible. 

Cats are the only antisocial animals we have domesticated with success. We are often disappointed as we do not bond with them as quickly as we want to, for example, with dogs. The main problem could be that we need to understand their signals, read their body language correctly, and give them more space.

By following all of these steps mentioned above, you will undoubtedly make significant progress as time passes and learn how to bond with your cat.