Introducing yourself to a new cat

The pandemic has lead to many people getting cats as a form of companionship. They may have decided to foster a cat until they find “The one” or gone to a shelter and picked up a cat right away. Unfortunately, not every cat is inseparable from its owner right away. Some cats need a little help warming up to their new owners before they’re willing to give them even a small dose of affection.

Introduce yourself properly

Your cat doesn’t know you yet. Just as you probably wouldn’t adore a sudden smooch from a stranger or a hug from the guy waving signs down the street, your cat has no reason to want to snuggle you right away.

A good way to introduce yourself is to get down on their level (less threatening) and simply put a finger out for them to smell. Let your cat be the judge of whether he wants to or not. Don’t wave the finger in his face or shove it in too close, but leave it up to the cat to smell.

If he decides to sniff it, you’ve passed the kitty-hand-shake test, and can go on to other introductions.

Give them a hiding spot

Cats may be predators, but they’re also actually prey. This means they can be super nervous in a new home, and need a lot of time to adjust. A hiding hole for them to go into until they feel confident you aren’t planning to eat them can be a big relief for your cat, and give them a much needed chance to observe you while you completely ignore them.

Start a routine

A consistent feeding schedule, as well as other schedules such as bonding or play time, can help them come to feel more comfortable with you. Although your cat probably won’t want anything to do with you at first, as they come to know that you’re predictable, they’ll be more confident in you.

Cats aren’t as easy to win over as dogs, but they do respond well to these efforts to get to know them. By letting them get to know you at their own pace, they’ll be much more likely to bond to you.

https://www.bustle.com/p/how-to-bond-with-your-new-cat-according-to-experts-9149282