6 Simple & Effective Ways to Bond with Your Kitten

 

Through this article you can learn:

• Why it’s important to bond with your kitten
• 6 simple & effective tips to bond with your kitten
• Give kittens space and never force them to bond

Cats are mercurial, finicky creatures that can seem cold and distant sometimes. But this by no means deters cat lovers from trying to bond with their feline friends. The good news is that cats are not as aloof as you might think, especially for kittens raised from a young age. Kitties are more likely to establish a close connection with their owners as they share more time in life together.

 

 

Why it’s important to bond with your kitten

The stronger the bond, the higher the chances that your cat can be mentally and physically healthy. A positive and reliable relationship can make kittens feel secure and safe. It can also bring them happiness, reduce stress, and even strengthen their immune system. At the end of the day, they are more likely to become a confident, friendly adult cat.

 

However, before they grow old, cats are often very energetic and can be quite naughty sometimes. If you are planning to adopt a kitten, keep in mind that your furry child deserves immense patience and great company.

 

6 simple & effective tips to bond with your kitten

Although the level of a cat’s approachability depends on its breed and personality, there are still ways to help owners get closer to their kittens and successfully earn their trust. 

 

Here are 6 surefire ways s to help you build a strong, genuine bond with your kitten:

 

1. Develop social abilities early 

   As pet parents, you must understand the nuances of each growing stage at which your feline kid has different lessons to learn.

   For example, at eight weeks of age, kittens are ready to bond and will actively search for emotional connections. Before they reach three months old, it’s a crucial period for them to develop fundamental social skills.

   Hence, if you adopt a kitty under three months, encourage them to have positive interactions with other members and pets in the family. This will make your cat more emotionally available and quickly bond with other people in the future.

    

2. Feed your kitten regularly

   Although it sounds obvious, this bonding technique is one of the most effective. Since cats are social animals, they tend to trust the person who leads them to food, water, and safety. So, regularly providing meals is a natural way to let your cat see you as its owner.

   With that said, if you want your kitten to get familiar with multiple family members, you can take turns feeding the cat and filling up their water bowl. At last, kittens will instinctively know who they should turn to when they are in need.

    

3. Schedule regular playtime

   Kittens are incredibly playful. They need considerable entertainment to drive their curiosity and satisfy their nature to hunt and race. Having regular playtime can bring kittens enormous joy and relaxation. The more relaxed and happier they are, the stronger the bond they can create. Another thing worth noting is, do not let your kitten pounce or paw at your hands or feet during playtime. Instead, use safe cat toys like wands to avoid accidents and injuries.

    

4. Let kittens nap near you

   Cats are widely considered great nappers. They especially enjoy sunny spots and soft blankets while feeling nestled and safe. At home, kittens might come near you, looking for a comfortable place to settle down for a nap. At the time, you can try to sit still and leave room nearby or put a cat bed or a soft blanket close to you. This makes your cat know they can decide how much closeness is wanted. Given such an open option, they might actively show affection by resting their entire body, chin, or paw on you.

    

    

5. Talk to your kitten

   Although cats cannot speak human languages, it’s crucial to spend time talking to them. This can help them stay connected with you, especially when you speak to a kitty in low, soft, and friendly tones. In fact, cats rarely make a sound in the wild. Many experts thereby believe this is an adaptive behavior most kittens do to get along with their humans. Next time when they constantly meow to you, kindly answer them! It is a clear sign that they are trying to express their needs and desires for deeper communication.

    

6. Groom your kitten
   Cats are good at grooming on their own, but when it comes to kittens, it might be another story. When cats are young, brushing and grooming help them get comfortable with being handled and can facilitate the bond-building process. However, most kittens will not be obedient to such a procedure. Hence, it is better to consult your vet on how to handle your cat correctly before you get started.

 

Give kittens space and never force them to bond

Cats are sensitive and highly vigilant animals. When pet owners try to build a rapport with their kittens, it is essential to stay patient and avoid forceful interactions. You should always approach them slowly in an encouraging manner and give them time and space when needed. Otherwise, it is easy to cause bonding setbacks or backfires.

 

So, how exactly would you know that you might have caught a bad time to bond and better make a retreat?

 

Learn to read your cat’s body language!

 

Watch for the following signs to understand when your cat might be on the verge of irritation and attack. You will then know when to step back to protect yourself, respect each other’s boundaries, and build a healthy relationship with your kitten!

 

Signs that your cat needs space
Behaviors	Whiskers or ears held flat or pointing directly down or straight out Flashing tail Dilated pupils Hair standing up on the back of the neck Backing into a corner or crouching with an arched back
Sounds	Hissing Growling Purring: Normally purring indicates a sense of satisfaction, but if your cat purrs, along with one of the above signs, it might just be the cat’s self-soothing mechanism; it’s best to leave them alone