Cats can be some of the most wonderful pets in the world. They’re loyal, affectionate, and extremely intelligent—but not everyone knows how to make a cat happy. If you’re trying to win over your feline friend, there are many things to consider. For example: What does it take for your cat to trust you? In this guide, I’ll go over all these topics and more so that you can easily gain the trust of a cat you adopted!
Build a safe place for your cat
Make sure that your cat has a safe place to hide and sleep.
Your cat will feel more secure if it has a place to hide and somewhere secluded to sleep. Cats are naturally territorial, so they want a place of their own where they can spend time alone without feeling that someone else is intruding on them. If you have several cats in the household, do not put the litter box where other cats can smell it! This is one reason why we recommend having two litter boxes in each room: one near the food dish and one hidden away from prying eyes (and noses).
Let your cat become familiar with you
You’ll first want to ensure that your cat has a safe place to hide. If you have an extra room or corner, consider letting them stay there for a few days before introducing them to the rest of your home. It’s essential that this room is comfortable and can be accessed quickly in case they want to retreat from something scary or loud outside their space.
If you don’t have any spare rooms available, try creating a cozy spot with blankets or pillows, so they feel more at home. As long as it’s not too close to where anyone else will be sleeping, this should work well enough until they feel more comfortable around everyone else living in the house too!
Greet your cat gently, if possible
When it comes to greeting your cat, the most gentle approach is always the best. It will largely help you to gain the trust of a cat. You don’t want to scare or threaten them with loud noises and sudden movements. If possible, don’t grab your cat at all – just let them come up to you when they’re comfortable doing so.
If you must pick up your kitty, try not to grab them by the scruff of the neck (the area between their shoulders and base of their head), tail, or front legs, as this can be uncomfortable for them. Instead, try picking them up by their hind legs if possible — they’ll probably think that’s funny!
Always put your cat down gently
Avoid grabbing your cat when you need to put him down. It can be tempting to grab him from under his belly and lift him off the floor, but this can upset your cat and make him feel less secure in your presence. Instead, try placing one hand under your cat’s body and the other under his front paws to gently lower him down onto the floor—this is something most cats enjoy because it mimics being picked up by mom or another cat. You can also ask your kitty if he would like some help getting down off an elevated surface before doing so. If he responds with a soft meow or purr (or even looks at you), that’s a good sign! If he seems uneasy, though, don’t force it; otherwise, he’ll never come around again later on when things get busy around here at home.
Provide plenty of places to hide
Cats love to have their own special place they can retreat to when they’re feeling stressed or uncertain. So, you must provide a variety of places for them to choose from in order to gain the trust of a cat. Your cat might enjoy interacting with you, but sometimes he’ll need time away from other pets to feel secure and comfortable. A cat tree or cardboard box is an excellent place for him since he can climb up high and feel like he has control over his environment while still being able to see what’s happening around him (and perhaps even make sure his loved ones are safe). If you have more than one cat, consider providing each with its own bed or cave so that each animal will feel comfortable and secure when left alone by itself.
Give your cat some space to roam and explore.
The best way to gain the trust of a cat is to give it space and let it roam around the house. A cat will appreciate having some time to explore on its own, and you can use this time to either play with your cat or just relax while they do what they please. If you have more than one cat, give them each their own time alone by splitting up their toys and food bowls into separate rooms so that neither feels like they are being left out.
Once your cat has had enough space for a while (or if it seems like they’re ready), pick up a toy and engage in playtime together! This is excellent practice for both parties and allows them both opportunities for exercise, which helps keep them healthy and happy! You don’t need anything fancy—a ball of string works just fine!
Keep the litter box clean and in a private place
Cats are clean animals and will use a litter box if it’s clean. You can also help your cat feel safe by keeping the litter box in a private place, like your basement or laundry room. If you have multiple cats, try to keep their litter boxes in the same locations so that they become accustomed to using them in those spots.
If you have any questions about how to take care of your cat’s needs and make him feel comfortable in his new home, don’t hesitate to contact us!
Conclusion
While it may seem complicated, it’s not as hard as it looks to gain the trust of a cat. As stated above, cats are naturally wary of people they don’t know. They will be cautious and suspicious initially, but with patience and time, you can get them to warm up to you and love spending time with you.