Cats are adapted to never listen, but this does not mean that your pet does not care what you have to say. Cats have their own nuanced communication pathways and by learning to use some of their social cues, they can strengthen the bond they share with their pet. Here are some tricks you should try when talking to your cat:
Use your inner voice: unlike dogs that usually respond well to an explosive “hello,” cats have incredibly recommendable hearing and run away when a greeting is too loud. Instead, try to use a calm, singing voice when greeting your pet, especially if he is shy or anxious.
Help: cats often greet each other from nose to nose, and they can imitate this gesture with their hand. Squat or sit down so that your hand is on a par with your cat, bend your index finger into a “nose” and slowly stretch out your arm. So your pet can push his “nose” with his hand – a greeting that he can understand.
Offer a “long blink”: when cats feel relaxed, slowly open and close their eyes, which is called a long blink. When you do this in your company, your pet trusts you and feels safe near you. You can offer him the same sign of affection by slowly closing and opening your eyes. Often your pet will expand the Friendly Gesture.
When communicating verbally with your pet, be sure to give consistent commands. When you say “come high” when greeting your cat to bounce on your lap, always use the same phrase. If your cat gets too rough during the game, use this verbal keyword like “stop” to let him know that he has gone too far, then detach yourself from the game for a few minutes.
Listen to your pet: as in humans, the best communicators in the feline world are good listeners. Although your pet cannot speak on its own, it uses body language to constantly communicate with you. Get to know your cat’s unique non-verbal cues and you will be able to communicate with him better the way your pet can understand him.
Whether your cat is openly in love or offers more subtle signs of his love, he has his own ways to show that he cares for her. By learning to use these cues, you can communicate with your cat in your own language and strengthen the bond you share with your pet.