5 Proven Ways to Build a Stronger Bond With Your Cat

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Published 2022-05-09
Wondering about the best ways to create a real, lasting bond with your feline friend? In this video, Dr. Sarah Wooten, DVM, CVJ shares her top 5 tips for creating a bond with your kitty. Read more from Dr. Wooten on Cats.com: cats.com/author/sarah-wooten
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Video Navigation:
0:00 Introduction
0:26 How Cats Are Different
2:27 Tips for Successful Bonding
4:57 Play With Your Cat
9:08 Feed Them Treats
10:41 Pet Your Cat (The Right Way!)
12:36 Give Them Some Space
14:00 Train Your Cat
15:13 Conclusion

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All Comments (21)
  • @AllAboutCatsYT
    How do YOU increase the bond with your cat? Share your favorite rituals and tips in the comments.
  • @sierraeowyn
    So I’ve had cats my whole life; and loved each then so much individually. However, my boy I have now, he’s turning 8 this year, I’ve never had a bond like this before. He was a kitten my mom rescued off the streets, and he just instantly took to me. He’s been with me though the last of high school, my first apartment, all my moves. Bad days and good days. Always waiting at the door for me when I get home from work, and curled up by my side when I wake up. I can even smush my face into his belly and he’ll just purr away. He’ll try licking me, but my hair just gets stuck 😂 he loves treats and playing with this candy cane toy he’s had since he was a kitten, that’s tied to a string. He’s so unbelievably sweet, and truly my best friend. It breaks my heart when I hear people call cats aloof, and low maintenance. I wish everyone could experience the love and bond of a cat!
  • @paulmaxwell4720
    My wife and I inadvertently adopted a really sweet cat about seven months ago. He almost instantly attached himself to my wife...he greats her when she gets home, sleeps with her, etc. However....the kitty is my buddy when my wife is at work (I'm retired), he always comes over to wherever I am, I play with him using a "fishing pole" toy, give him treats, etc. He DOES enjoy pets and scratches on his back...in fact, as you pet/scratch him, he licks you!! 😂 I always was a dog person but, I guess I'm a cat person now, lol!! I really enjoy your channel!! Thank you!!
  • @randomanda
    My teen daughters seem so offended that all 3 of our cats love me best, but if they would play with, brush and give treats to the cats, then they would be just as stalked by them as me 🤣
  • @Me97202
    I retired 7 years ago. This cat that I adopted 5 years ago is super bonded to me, because I’m home all the time.
  • @calonstanni
    I bond with my girls by cackling with them at the birds and squirrels outside out window. We get excited about the really fast or BIG birds and we all look at each other like "Did you see THAT one?????!!!" I also have a toy closet with a wide variety of cat toys with changeable feather lures so they don't get bored. I also built a really WEIRD/WILD cat highway all over my living room and I throw toys up to them that they swat back down to me. I'm a crazy old cat lady.
  • @ouroboros6125
    Nr.1 thing of importance I learned was the privacy / own space thing. Cats will love you for it if you give them a private area where you yourself are "forbidden". Preferably high up, with window view. As long as you give a cat their own private castle, they will accept you as their chosen servant.
  • @yellowdog762jb
    Cat: "It's a common misconception that humans can't be trained. With patience, most humans can be trained to provide food and open doors when you meow."
  • One of the ways that I bound with my cat is by talking to him. My cat is all black, 13 years old. I adopted him from a shelter a year ago. I have to let him be himself. He doesn't like to be pick-up or held, but he is loving.
  • I had just be given a kitten a little more than a week ago. Since I'm on a fixed budget I could only buy cat food and litter for her box. I can buy toys this Friday; but meanwhile I've taken the shoelace from one of my old sneakers and rolled up a piece of tinfoil to let her play. Bonding with her is easy . Sometimes she'll sit next to me and likes to be petted. Recently she's started sitting on my lap for about a minute. Nala makes the decisions on what she wants to do.
  • @RichardoBrit
    I think the thing with cats (and all pets) is they are very distinct and have their own personality. At 11:38 you mention they don’t like their bellies being petted… Not my female kitty - she rolls around on her back waiting for a belly rub. She LOVES it. Her brother, though, loves rubs on his head and chin, but (mimicking his sister) has also started to roll onto his back looking for belly rubs. Mine also love their paws rubbed, which I hear is rather unusual. Morale of the story - just see what your cat prefers as they are all unique!
  • @Nolameaux87
    The portion about allowing my cats to have successful hunts with laser pointers and treats was really informative. I'd never considered that before, but it makes perfect sense. I'm going to incorporate that into our laser play sessions. Thank you!
  • @lucys.4695
    I moved many times with my 2 cats, cause I had to. Never had aby problems. I treat them with respect and we have really strong Bond.
  • Unlike previous cats I have owned, my current, 4-year-old red neutered male cat expresses his affection by jumping up on the kitchen counter and coming over and reaching out his paw to gently touch my face or shoulder. It is sometimes a hint that he wants affection or a treat, but it is always an expression of his bonding with me.
  • My Lily doesn’t love to cuddle, will lay next to you, but not be held. looooves to play, and only having her for almost a year. I thought she was getting depressed, gaining weight. She’s a very active cat by nature. I noticed her sleeping more and staying upstairs. My attention wasn’t enough for her. So I bit the bullet, and got a kitten a month ago. The best decision I have EVER made. She’s lost weight, loves the kitten as if she had him. They play all the time. They sleep together. She’s always near him. She’s downstairs now. I did do my research on cat diets. Switched to mainly wet food. Only small amount of kibble. It’s also knowing when your attention isn’t enough and doing what’s best for them. I can’t believe the difference
  • @itsjustme7487
    Cats bonding with a Place is sooo true. My neighbors moved about 2 miles away and their cat constantly walked to the old house and cried to get in.
  • @cordeliaface
    I can confirm, cats do love routine. For my senior cat I've raised since he was 6 months old, I apparently have an unconscious set amount of times I give him pets. I know this, because sometimes when he wants more pets than that, he'll ask for it. I apparently also trained him to knead at blankets instead of me. I realized that recently when he gently kneaded me, and waited for a blanket to be put down before he went into hardcore biscuit making mode.
  • @JanCarol11
    How to help cats catch a laser: paper bags on the floor, and they pounce with a mighty crunch! Very satisfying.
  • @seattlegrrlie
    Him will lap sit and be pet everywhere all day... She is not the same. She absolutely melts when I talk to her. While she doesn't really understand the words, she knows I'm vocalizing love and she will roll on her back in pure happy cat
  • @maryanne1367
    I find letting a cat sleep in the same room with you for a while, they get a chance to explore you while you are completely docile and still. Also being able to pet a cat while they eat is a good sign that you are bonding. Never run after a cat to cuddle or pet it!