Last Updated: 3 months ago
Surely you had an altercation with your cat as part of your friendship. Which probably made you wonder how to make your cat love you again.
After the altercation, the cat is probably running away from you, which is normal. But you need to act quickly to make amends.
We talked with a cat behavior consultant, and this is what we learned.
Why Doesn’t Your Cat Love You Anymore?
Cats are mysterious, and like humans, they have their preferences and dislikes.
However, the good news is that your feline companion does not hold grudges, and you can win their love again with a little effort.
According to cat behaviorist Marilyn Krieger, “a cat will draw away from you because of your behavior toward them.”
This can make you think about if you used to lie on the bed together, and now she won’t sleep with you.
It could be that you are a heavy ssleeperand you fidget in your sleep, often waking your kitty up, pushing her off the bed, or putting your weight on her.
Imagine yourself sleeping next to a person that tosses and turns. What an uncomfortable night! Now put yourself in the cats’ shoes.
It also could be you shouted at your kitty or made her do something she did not want. By trying to control your cat, you only hurt its feelings and give it a reason to be mad.
6 Ways To Win Your Cat’s Love & Trust Again
How to make your cat love you? Even after a misunderstanding, you can have your furry friend eating from your hand and following you within no time.
However, you must do a number of things to help win back their affection.
Cat owners (humans) and cats have different body languages, so you have to understand your kitty’s personality. Here are ways you can get your cat’s love and trust back.
#1 Initiate Playtimes
According to Marci Koski of Feline Behavior Solutions, there is no better way to make a cat trust you than by initiating playtime.
While most cat owners like to keep their cats occupied with indoor toys, a human presence works magic.
Fish pole type toys, with dangling feathers, are a great choice. These toys initiate yourkitty’s predatory behavior of pouncing and attacking.
During play, you can let the feline catch the toy as a reward for their effort. However, don’t force this interaction. Leave the kitty alone if it does not want to play.
#2 Have a Treat
Giving your cat a treat will get them to trust and want you more. However, use treats sparingly since some cats are not motivated by the mere sight of food.
According to a report from science direct, cats will typically prefer human interaction over treats and toys.
You can use a treat when you want to draw a shy kitty closer or as a token of appreciation after a positive interaction.
Make sure to use a treat they like, so do some testing to find out what your cat likes.
Treats that are usually popular with cats include cheese, pieces of chicken, and tuna flakes according to Marci Koski.
#3 Reconsider Your Voice
A high-pitched or baby voice is appealing to some animals, like dogs. However, this voice pitch does not work well with cats.
These furry friends will quickly sense signs of fear or intimidation in the tone of your voice.
According to Marci Koski, a cat training consultant, “make yourself less intimidating and interact with the cat at their level.”
Ideally, consider your cat like a nervous child you are trying to comfort.
How to show your cat you love them is using a calm voice is reassuring and it will make your cat feel safe and loved around you.
#4 Offer Gentle Touches/Petting
Kitties are sensitive to touch and will crave gentle interactions by rubbing, purring, or laying on their back.
According to a study published in Anthrozoös, cats have a positive reaction when petted in their temporal region, the area between the head and ears.
However, they react differently to petting on the tail, chin, lips, and non-gland areas.
As this study suggests, cats have different parts they want you to touch, so be on the lookout for how they are responding.
If they appear more relaxed, they are comfortable with you, and you should continue. However, if you notice petting-induced aggression, it is time to stop or pet an area your cat prefers.
#5 Let the Cat Initiate
A common mistake people make is to advance toward a cat at first sight.
While the intention is well-meaning, cats can get a mixed message and see this as a confrontation. This is especially relevant when a person is meeting a cat for the first time.
Since cats are born predators, their instinct will be to protect themselves by showing aggression or hissing.
As Amelia Wieber explains, the proper way of approaching a kitty is the cat-to-cat nose greeting and letting it headbutt you.
Ideally, extend your finger toward the cat and remain still. If the cat is interested, it will walk over, sniff and either back away or move closer.
#6 Give the Cat Space
As mentioned above, cats hate any aggressive body language towards them. Remember, you had a misunderstanding with your pet, and they are mad at you.
Cat body language indicators telling you to back off include:
- Twitching their tails
- Staring at your hand
- Growling and hissing
- Flattening the ears
Ideally, be patient, concentrate on other things, and let your cat come to you, as suggested in a recent research report.
This report further suggested this as the reason cats get attracted to people who are allergic to them, as they act disinterested, sparking curiosity within the cat.
One way to provide your cat with space is to provide a cat tree or cardboard box. These give the cat a place it can escape to where you can’t get into its personal space.
They also provide the kitties with a cozy place for some alone time.
How Do I Know If My Cat is Happy Again?
So, does your cat love you back? As mentioned earlier, a cat won’t hold a grudge against you. If you follow the above tips, you are guaranteed to win your kitty’s attention.
However, note that cats have a good memory, and it can take time to get acquainted with you again.
You will know your cat is happy when it spends more time around you and lets you hold, pat, and hug them.
Another sign of happiness is when the cat lays on its back with its tummy exposed for you to pet. However, note how it responds to specific touches to avoid spooking them.
FAQs
Do cats get more cuddly with age?
That depends on the nature of the cat in question, since each animal has unique preferences. While some adult cats become more open to social interaction, others will remain independent and crave less attention.
Why does my cat run away from me?
Your cat might run away from you for various reasons, including heat, fear, anxiety, past mistreatment, or moving to a new home.
Why does my kitty get clingy all of a sudden?
A cat can get clingy out of nowhere for two reasons: they are spooked or have a health condition. It is up to the cat owners to learn their cats’ language and attend to their needs.
Why does the cat love everyone else in the household apart from me?
When living with multiple humans under one roof, cats generally choose to love one favorite human. Their selection process is unpredictable, but they tend to show a preference toward the person showing them affection.
How can I tell my cat is scared of me?
A scared cat widens its eye pupils, swishes its tail, or tucks it between its legs. You can also expect some hissing, sprinting away, and staying in a crouched body position, ready to pounce.
How to make a cat feel loved?
You can make a cat feel loved by playing and giving attention. Also, provide toys and spaces where they can spend time alone if they want.
Will My Cat Ever Trust Me Again?
Yes, your cat will trust and love you again. Cats show their trust and love in various ways, and you will quickly learn your pet’s signs.
However, as you regain trust, avoid any misunderstandings that will lead to the previous situation. As you carry on with a consistent routine, your cat will feel secure around you.
Conclusion
Cats are friendly and mystical creatures of habit. A cat can become aloof toward you for various reasons, but it can become affectionate again with the proper attention.
As a cat owner, note that your cat expresses themselves using body language, so it is essential to understand them.
If you recently had a misunderstanding with your furry friend, the above six ways to win back your cat’s affection should come in handy.
Have you found a solution for how to make your cat love you again? Let us know what you think down below!
Resources:
Deanna is a passionate cat lover and freelance writer. She lives with her Chi dog and a ragdoll cat. When she’s not writing, Deanna loves listening to country music or watching Dancing With The Stars.
You have some great ideas. My current cat shows love when we feed her. Briefly. Then she doesn’t want us to touch her.
This is great advice! Cats are so different than dogs, and it is interesting to see how complex they can be.
These seem like really good suggestions. For me, I always found that when my cats were unhappy with me for whatever the reason, giving them some space worked best, then they’d always initiate making up. If I tried to push up that timeline, it always pushed back resolution time.
Very good tips. I didn’t know that cats love to play with humans!
I’m thankful that my cat is affectionate most of the time. She is about 6 months old now and sometimes she rather do her own thing. She knows how to get pets if she wants them. 🙂 🐈
Roxi loves treats she is so easily bribed. It’s a great way to get her attention. Great tips.
LOL, cats and their tempers! Love that we lowly humans have tricks to get back into their good graces!
One thing I learned over the years is you can not make a cat love you, but on the flip side you can’t make one unlove you once they do! lol They are one of those animals that respect those who respect them..
Cats can be moody. These are great tips especially because our cat only knows us when he’s hungry.
Wow! Such a great article to read especially to cat owners. Definitely a great help to win again the cat love, it’s so informative and very detailed. Loved it!
LOL I have had my cat be mad at me and I finally figured out it was lotion. Every time I wore it she would shun me. I quit wearing it and all is good. 🙂
I so love my cat and the only time he has been weird with me is when I take off or put on his color. He is such a little lover and he especially loves my husband. Thank you for these tips!
Cat can be loving and annoying at times. You just have to learn their behaviour .