Bond With Your New Cat In 5 Easy, Pampering Steps...

by Susan Nelson Hopkins

Wow, you really prepared for the newest addition to your family. Just look at all those toys, the snuggly bed and fancy dishes, and that great adventure-enticing activity-scratch-post-jungle-gym contraption you bought just for her.

Be prepared...if you think she will be impressed, don't hold your breath! To her way of thinking, she's been dumped into a strange, frightening place. There's danger everywhere! She has to hide... NOW! (And if she is a kitten, multiple the fear factor by 10!)

1. Give your new cat a private space...

A separate room is ideal, but even a small space protected by a make-shift divider is adequate.

Place all the necessities there, including her food and water dishes, a cuddly bed, and a litter box. If you have enough space, set up that new jungle gym... or at least a scratch post.

When you bring her home, leave her in the carrier and take her immediately to her private space. Leave the carrier door open so she can explore when she gathers up the courage.

If you don't bring her home in a carrier, then any box will work. Just make sure it's comfortable.

Talk softly when you enter "her" space to feed her, change her litter, or just check on her. She will be extremely sensitive to sounds while she works through her fear, so your soft voice will become her anchor.

Now is NOT the time to introduce her to the rest of your family! Remember, she's in a hide-and-survive mood.

Pampering this mood away is the most important step in bonding with your new friend.

2. Give your new cat special treats...

Include a spoonful of tuna or shrimp with her regular food.

When she becomes brave enough to eat in your presence, praise her softly. If she comes up to you, touch her gently on the back or behind her ears.

Whatever you do, do NOT grab her or attempt to pick her up! This only justifies the latent, instinctive fear.

Pampering away her capture-fear builds great trust between you and your little sweetheart.

3. Bring toys to your new cat...

Use this as another excuse to enter "her" space. Speak  softly and introduce the new toy. Perhaps, even show her how it works. When she has grown to where she will come up to you, try playing with her and the new toy. This works wonders!

If store-bought toys don't entice her, try simple household items. Tie a sock to a cardboard toilet paper roll, or to a string. A squished aluminum foil ball can be chased all over the place... so can a crumpled piece of paper. Every cat's all-time favorite is the common brown paper bag.

Catnip toys may or may not be effective... especially on kittens. But it wouldn't hurt to try them out.

Pampering her with playtime develops companioning in her life.

4. Start grooming your new cat...

Once she accepts you, initiate grooming. Gently brush her back with a soft brush as she comes up to you.

Most cats enjoy this sensation... even kittens. When she comes back for more, you're on the home stretch! Now is the time to stroke her with the brush, talking softly while you praise her (even reciting the latest sports results in a soft voice works).

Pampering her with grooming develops a pleasurable activity for her... and you're the source.

5. Introduce your new cat to your family and home...

Your new friend is now ready to expand her environment to the rest of your home. She will naturally be cautious at first, but she has the courage to face it... you have taught her that she's not alone in her new world.

It's also time to introduce her to the rest of your family. She will definitely be curious, and when everyone follows the same steps that you already have... well, it won't be long before your little sweetheart will become Queen of Her World, and all those that dwell therein!

Pampering her with time and affection by you and your family reinforces her sense of belonging in your home.

(For more, see Crucial Kitty Comforts.)

Most of these steps may not be necessary if your new feline friend has a mild, easy-going temperament. If so... count yourself extremely fortunate.

Your world is now her world... and the way there was through pampered affection and trust.

This started as a blog for our family cat, Venus... but she quickly became bored with the whole thing. So now, we're writing it from our point of view... as family cat owners. (Of course, Venus firmly believes that SHE rules the roost... but, don't all cats?)

Everyone in most every family has a million things to do - every day.

Does anyone have a secret for making sure the family cat gets fed on a regular schedule? And, by whom?

Click here to check out viewers' solutions...

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