If you’re a first-time cat companion, using tips like these will help you gain the trust of your new feline or even foster an orphaned wild cat. Getting a cat to trust you can also be done with body language research, sniffing from them and avoiding triggers as much as possible. Gaining the trust of a cat is not hard, but you need an awful lot of patience and perseverance. Affectionate Behavior Like head bunting such as purring, sitting in your lap, exposing their belly, following you or playing.
Rather than a broad explanation, I tell cat owners this: Cats put other animals or people into three categories from their perspective: “You are a predator and may hurt me,” or ” “you are prey and I may hunt you” or finally my favorite — You are socially acceptable to us, we adopt you as part of our little group.
If you have just got a new cat or are wanting to make fast friends with the neighborhood stray, realize cats take time to figure out if you’re one of the good guys. This rank affects how long it would take a cat to start trusting you: be it a 1 day wait, or as much as a week or even month. It is very important to cats that they do not feel forced into contact, and to give them time to observe, appraise and slowly trust you – at their own pace.
Below are some useful tips to make your cat trust you.
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Let your cat smell on you
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Utilize Calming Pheromones
Cats produce our natural scent to communicate pheromones. A cat rubbing its face against you is releasing pheromones that mark you to it as an aggressor presence. I do not recommend using a pheromone on new kittens: they usually have no real fear to start and the attempt will muddle things up.
Kittens are usually more accepting of change and as such tend to adjust far better to new households (unless they were feral). So if your intention is to fit into the society of feral, stray and timid cats, consider using a plugin pheromone diffuser or rubbing on his peacemaking pheromones directly to hands. These pheromones will work as the natural pheromones to ensure a sense of safety in your cat.
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Speak in a Calm and Soothing Voice to Your Cat
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Establishing a Routine
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Reduce Potential Stressors
One of the most essential steps for building trust is eradicating possible sources of stress for your cat. When bringing a new cat or kitten home, you do not want to just toss them into the mix with the rest of your feline household. This avoids bombarding your cat and reducing stimuli so you can both adjust slowly to each other. Choose a room where there are no noisy appliances or existing pets in the home (keep them apart until your new cat feels safe and ready for a slow intro).
Think about it this way: Sure, you can eliminate stressors from a room but that won’t bring trust. Providing your cat with key resources such as scratching posts, cat trees and appropriate toileting areas will go a long way to preventing stress and anxiety. Here are some possible symptoms or changes in your cat’s body language that may indicate stress or anxiety:
- A head with its ears back
- Wide eyes with dilated pupils
- A crouched, tense posture
- Rapid breathing or panting
- Seeking hiding places
- Trembling or shaking
- Aggressive behavior- scratching, biting or hissing
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Employ Positive Reinforcement
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Respect Their “No Touch” Areas
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Slow Blinking or Squinting Your Eyes to a Cat
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Engage in Regular Playtime
This is vital for building trust and friendship between the two of you and also keeps your kitty very happy. Playing together is good for your bond and develops friendship. If your cat is at all timid or jumpy, consider distance toys such as fishing poles and wand toys. Thanks to this, your cat can be safe and still close to you.
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Make a Safe Area for Your Cat
How Can Cats Prove Their Trust?
Have patience as you apply these suggestions and progress to changes in your cat’s behavior. Perhaps you are left wondering if your cat has really warmed up too. Cat signs of trust and affection are often very sly and snuggly. The more you know and the more you learn how a cat shows his or her love and comfort, then your own heart will be full of warmth, just like for a loved one.Some signs that your cat trusts you are:
- Blind eye or narrow eyes in your face
- Head-butting you
- Rubbing their faces on you
- Grooming or licking you
- Relaxing next to you
- Sitting on your lap
- Flashing their backside at you
- Displaying their belly
- Sleeping with or on you
- Purring softly
- Rubbing against your legs
- Kneading on or near you
- Engaging in play with you
- Start bringing you toys or other objects as gifts
- Answering positively to the Gift of your Voice
- Tagging around the house
- Showing a generally relaxed tail and body position
How Long Does It Usually Take for Cats to Trust You?
The critical socialization period for a cat is between 2 to 7 weeks of age. This is a crucial time for kittens to learn proper socializing with both their fellow littermates and humans. This interaction allows them to develop skills for play, exposure to touch and handling, experience new sights without fear, more curiosity etc.
Experience during this kittenhood time results in longer or shorter feral stages for them to become ideal domestic animals, whether they are from a shelter experience or have been born into a colony of cats. Some cats also need time to feel confident and depending on their early life experiences, it may take days, weeks or even months before a cat fully trusts a new companion.
A bond with a cat can develop naturally by feeding and seeing him on a daily basis but some cats may take more attention and time to feel safe. Remember too that cats may show trust in ways you are not expecting, so keep an open mind when it comes to their displays of trust. Some cats may enjoy sitting on laps, others might prefer slow blinks from afar. Have some patience and who knows, you could be the recipient of all their affection.
The timeline for building trust varies depending on the kitten’s personality and past experiences. Some kittens may feel comfortable within a few days, while others may take weeks or even months. By consistently offering love, patience, and positive experiences, you can gradually gain their trust.
If your kitten seems scared, give them space and allow them to approach you on their own terms. Avoid loud noises and sudden movements. Speak softly, offer treats, and spend time near them without forcing interaction. Over time, this will help them feel safe.
Yes, regular playtime is a key factor in building trust with your kitten. Engaging in interactive play, such as using a wand toy, helps your kitten associate you with fun and positive experiences. Play also stimulates their natural instincts, strengthening your bond.
Signs your kitten trusts you include following you around, rubbing against you, purring when you’re near, exposing their belly, and making direct eye contact. Slow blinking at you is another strong indicator of trust and affection.
Yes, it’s very common for kittens to hide when they first arrive in a new environment. It’s a response to feeling overwhelmed or unsure. Provide them with a quiet, safe space to adjust and explore at their own pace. Gradually, they’ll come out as they feel more secure.
Positive reinforcement includes rewarding your kitten with treats, affection, or praise whenever they exhibit desired behaviors like approaching you, playing, or being calm. This creates a positive association with your presence and actions, building trust over time.
“No touch” areas are parts of your kitten’s body that they are uncomfortable with being touched, such as their belly, paws, or tail. Respecting these boundaries shows your kitten that you understand their comfort level, which strengthens your bond and builds trust.
Yes, calming pheromones, such as Feliway, are safe for kittens and can help reduce anxiety. They mimic natural cat pheromones that promote feelings of safety and security, making the environment more comforting for your kitten.
To reduce stress, create a designated safe space for your kitten where they can retreat if they feel overwhelmed. Minimize loud noises, sudden movements, and unfamiliar people during the first few days. Gradually introduce them to new areas and people at a pace they’re comfortable with.
Yes, slow blinking is a well-known technique that helps communicate trust and affection to your kitten. Cats interpret slow blinks as a sign that you are relaxed and non-threatening, which can encourage them to reciprocate and build a deeper bond.