The Emotional Care of Cats

Taking care of a cat entails a lot more than just fulfilling their physical needs. Yes, they do need food, water, shelter, health care, a litter box, etc., but they also need emotional care and nurturing. The best way to care for them is to provide cats with the basic physical necessities, as well as to forge a strong emotional bond with them.

There are many ways to forge emotional and spiritual bonds with cats, but most of it comes down to compatibility. If cat and human are completely incompatible, it is highly unlikely that any kind of bond will develop. The most efficient way to test cat/human compatibility is to watch how the cat responds to the human's attempts to play, and vice versa. A cat who is affectionate and playful is often not compatible with a human who refuses to give the cat attention. Likewise, a cat who shies away from affection is unlikely to get along with an affectionate human right away. All of the compatibility in the world means nothing, however, if there is no mutual respect between cat and human.

One of the greatest assets to the relationship between a cat and their human is mutual respect. Once again, the guidelines for respect vary from cat to cat, human to human, but there are some basic rules that do not change. One of the most important guidelines for respect is dependent on how humans perceive and treat their cat. Cats are intelligent, feeling, living beings who understand much of their surroundings. In order to gain the most basic respect of cats, one must treat them with the knowledge that cats have feelings which are more sensitive than those of many humans. When cats are treated as the individuals they truly are, felines will treat their human the same way. That show of respect will only be built upon further, and lay the foundation for a happy life together. Cats especially enjoy when their less-than-desirable behavior is changed, not through scolding and punishment, but through positive reinforcement of wanted behavior.

One of the easiest ways to train cats is to give them rewards when they're good. Many times, cats are like humans in the sense that they seek praise and positive attention. For instance, one proven method is the application of treats. If a cat does something their human disapproves of, a mild scolding is best, followed by treats when the cat does not misbehave. If the cat is strictly an indoor cat, for example, and runs outside, bring them back inside and tell them not to do it again. When the cat doesn't run outside, give the kitty treats and praise. Very soon, the cat will learn that they want to remain inside because they receive rewards when they do. Most cats will not say no to rewards. One of the best ways to reward cats, though, is through spending quality time with them in a way they enjoy.Quality time is an important thing for all relationships, whether it be between fellow humans, or humans and their animal friends. Quality time is necessary to get to know one another, and it builds upon the trust and respect already present. If cat and human are affectionate, cuddling and playing are easy ways to bond. If cat and human are less affectionate, the cat would most likely still enjoy being petted. Quality time is typically instinctual, and however cat and human normally get along on a positive note is best.

There are many ways to bond with felines, and most of them are learned through experience. The most important feature of any emotional bond is respect, and that can only be established by fair, compassionate treatment. No creature respects anyone who hurts or demeans them for pleasure. Cats are people, and must be cared for emotionally, as well as physically.

Credit for helping me with this article goes to: my mother, for giving me feedback before I posted it; Sarah, our cat; and MissMiss, a cat I befriended previously.