10 Scientific Ways to Get a Cat to Like You
- last year
Let them make the first move
Cats are so adorable that people want to greet them with a big hug. Some people go up to the cat, corner them, and try to pet them to win them over. But remember, this is a common mistake for cat lovers. According to recent studies, it’s best to let the cat make the first move. A study conducted in Switzerland has shown that when humans sit back and wait—and focus on something else, like reading a book—cats are more likely to approach.
This is why many kitties are attracted to allergic people—as people with allergies don’t really seek out to pet cats.
Pet them where they enjoy it most
How does your cat enjoy being petted?
A study conducted by the University of Lincoln found that cats show more positive behavioral responses—like purring or kneading—when they are petted between the eyes and ears. And they display more negative responses—like hissing, swatting, or swishing their tails—when they are petted around their tail area.
Yes, that’s right. Cats don’t actually enjoy being stroked at the base of their tail. Researchers believe that a cat’s tail area is an erogenous zone.
Check your scent
A cat's sense of smell is the main way they identify people and objects. Their sense of smell is 14 times better than that of humans. If a cat is afraid of you, make sure to check your scent, as your cat might be staying clear of it.
You may have the scent of another cat or dog on your pants, or you may have strong smells like perfume, deodorizers, disinfectants, bleach, garlic, or onions on your clothing. If your cat retreats when they sniff your hands, it may be because they don’t like the smell of your hand soap.
Approach them like a cat
Cats communicate primarily through scent and body language. Most felines greet each other with a nose-to-nose stiff.
And while humans shake hands, cats boop to say hello.
To increase your bond with a cat, try approaching them the way they would greet other felines. Mimic the nose-to-nose behavior by gently offering your non-threatening fingertip at their level. Your finger acts like a nose substitute and most cats will walk up and sniff or investigate your finger,
Mimic felines’ scents
Cats, on the other hand, don’t like new smells, and any unfamiliar scent can put them off.
And this is why most cats are not big fans of change, relocation, or strangers. As new environments bring a lot of new smells and signs that they have yet to explore,
If you don’t want to bring new smells into a cat’s home, you may spray yourself with a cat pheromone.
Pheromones are a type of chemical communication that all cats use to interact with each other and the environment around them. These “messages” are released from the scent glands around their bodies. You may want to spray yourself to calm a new cat.
Human interaction over food
A 2017 study conducted at Oregon State University studied what attracts cats the most.
The scientists offered cats a choice between food, toys, scent, and social interac
Cats are so adorable that people want to greet them with a big hug. Some people go up to the cat, corner them, and try to pet them to win them over. But remember, this is a common mistake for cat lovers. According to recent studies, it’s best to let the cat make the first move. A study conducted in Switzerland has shown that when humans sit back and wait—and focus on something else, like reading a book—cats are more likely to approach.
This is why many kitties are attracted to allergic people—as people with allergies don’t really seek out to pet cats.
Pet them where they enjoy it most
How does your cat enjoy being petted?
A study conducted by the University of Lincoln found that cats show more positive behavioral responses—like purring or kneading—when they are petted between the eyes and ears. And they display more negative responses—like hissing, swatting, or swishing their tails—when they are petted around their tail area.
Yes, that’s right. Cats don’t actually enjoy being stroked at the base of their tail. Researchers believe that a cat’s tail area is an erogenous zone.
Check your scent
A cat's sense of smell is the main way they identify people and objects. Their sense of smell is 14 times better than that of humans. If a cat is afraid of you, make sure to check your scent, as your cat might be staying clear of it.
You may have the scent of another cat or dog on your pants, or you may have strong smells like perfume, deodorizers, disinfectants, bleach, garlic, or onions on your clothing. If your cat retreats when they sniff your hands, it may be because they don’t like the smell of your hand soap.
Approach them like a cat
Cats communicate primarily through scent and body language. Most felines greet each other with a nose-to-nose stiff.
And while humans shake hands, cats boop to say hello.
To increase your bond with a cat, try approaching them the way they would greet other felines. Mimic the nose-to-nose behavior by gently offering your non-threatening fingertip at their level. Your finger acts like a nose substitute and most cats will walk up and sniff or investigate your finger,
Mimic felines’ scents
Cats, on the other hand, don’t like new smells, and any unfamiliar scent can put them off.
And this is why most cats are not big fans of change, relocation, or strangers. As new environments bring a lot of new smells and signs that they have yet to explore,
If you don’t want to bring new smells into a cat’s home, you may spray yourself with a cat pheromone.
Pheromones are a type of chemical communication that all cats use to interact with each other and the environment around them. These “messages” are released from the scent glands around their bodies. You may want to spray yourself to calm a new cat.
Human interaction over food
A 2017 study conducted at Oregon State University studied what attracts cats the most.
The scientists offered cats a choice between food, toys, scent, and social interac