How to Bond With Your Rescue Cat

Adopting a rescue cat is one of the most rewarding animal experiences. Often these cats can have trust issues and are not instantly sociable. This does not have to be a negative or a chore. You can spend many a happy and satisfying hour bonding with your new kitty and gaining their trust. In this article you will learn how a little time and patience can bring great rewards for you and your new feline friend...

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Cat (second hand)
• Cat brush
• Time
• Love

1. Set aside some quiet time with no distractions like TV or radio, just you and your new cat.
   Make sure you choose to sit in your cat's favourite spot so that they feel safe and secure, even if this means you sitting on the floor!
2. Once you are settled try and softly call your cat over to you, tempt them with treats if they are food-driven.
   
   This step may need to be repeated before your cat approaches you, just stay calm and relaxed and persevere until kitty starts to come and check you out.
3. Once your cat has started to warm to you it is a good idea to stroke them gently, discovering where they do and do not like to be touched. (Many cats are sensitive about their tummy being touched).
   Once you have established contact that your cat enjoys you can start to groom them with the cat brush, this grooming is a real bonding exercise.
4. Make time to do this for an hour or so every day until your cat is totally comfortable in its new home.
   Don't be surprised if once they start to bond with you they become like your shadow and follow you around the house!

Tips & Warnings

• Stay calm
• Keep trying - the rewards are massive
• Catnip and toys may help persuade a younger cat to be friends!
• Don't pressure your cat, if you try and force friendship on them it may set you back
• Always let the cat come to you, if you approach him or her it may scare them
• Never stare your cat down, they do not enjoy direct eye contact.