In this post we are going to cover the topic of how to get a cat to like you when it hates you.
Any cat owner will know that their furry friend can be a very unpredictable creature.
One minute they are cute and cuddly, then the next they are trying to scratch you to death.
It’s not necessarily you that’s the problem, it’s your behavior towards them. It’s a combination of things we do, and don’t do which will cause your cat to show dislike towards you.
By getting a better understanding of both yours and your cat’s behavior, you will establish a better relationship with your cat which will allow them to like you more.
Through extensive research, we have compiled this guide with many tips on how to get a cat to like you when it hates you.
Reasons Why Your Cat Would Hate You?
Let’s start off by saying, it’s not really that cat’s hate you. It’s more to do with a particular action, situation, or environment. There could be a number of reasons why they are acting out on you.
If there behaviour has suddenly changed it could be:
- They could be sick.
- Your cat may need more exercise or playtime.
- There could be an injury you do not know about.
- Dislike to a change in their environment.
If your cat has always acted this way, it could be:
- Socialization
- Negative experiences
- Learning
Signs Your Cat May Hate You
So we said that your cat could not really hate you, but they could develop some sort of fear or mistrust towards you. Before we cover the tips on how to get a cat to like you when it hates you, it’s good to be able to read the signs and body language of your cat. This will allow you to know if your cat is experiencing any kind of anxiety or unhappiness.
- Horizontal tail: Cat’s will express their emotion based upon the positioning of their tail. If you see that your cat’s tail is in a lowered, horizontal position with the fur fluffed up, this means that your cat is in a hostile mood and feeling a sense of fear.
- Hide and Seek: A cat constantly hiding from you is usually a sign that they are not at comfort in their environment. This generally happens if you either have a new cat in a new environment or if you have just relocated. If you cat suddenly starts hiding for no reason, this could be a sign of an underlying health issue and is advised to take them to the vet’s.
- Biting: Biting in kittens is normal behavior, but if a fully-grown cat is biting, this is a clear sign of resentment and that they are not very happy.
- Walking away: If a cat wants to just relax then it’s normal to turn down playtime. Turning down playful interactions could also be a sign they are unhappy with you.
- Hissing: If you’ve experienced a fully-grown cat hissing at you, this is definitely a sign that they are upset with you.
How To Get Your Cat To Like You
#1 Approach and Body Language
Cat’s are tiny creatures in comparison to humans and can get frightened or feel threatened very easily. Here are a few tips you should follow.
- Friendly cat’s will greet each other nose to nose. You can replicate this by by slowly offering your hand or a finger a few inches from their nose.
- When greeting a cat, crouch down to their level. Making your physical appearance appear smaller will make you appear less intimidating to your cat.
- Do not make direct eye contact with your cat. They will consider this as confrontational or aggressive towards them.
#2 Let Your Cat Approach You
You now have the tips mentioned above of approaching them, but you can also let them approach you first. When they do approach you, offer a hand or finger and let them come to you. The key is to play hard to get, and you’ll generally find that they will initiate the activity and come to you first. This will have a more positive effect on your relationship.
#3 Observation Of Your Cat’s Likes and Dislikes
You have to take into consideration that cat’s have vastly different personalities just as humans do. Over a period of time you will learn through observation the things your cat likes and dislikes. Some cats will like certain things that other cat’s don’t. It’s all about trial and error and testing to see what works.
#4 Calm, Gentle, and Loving
The more calm you can be around your cat, the more trusting they will be with you. Any kind of loud noises or sudden gestures or movements is going to frighten your kitty. You need to slow things down, approach and move in a slow, calm manner and they will respond better towards you.
Dog lovers will know that you can be a bit more firm when handling a dog, especially a large dog. Cat’s are tiny, delicate creates and need to be handled with a bit more of a gentle touch. Being gentle is they key towards a better relationship with your cat. If you consistently act in this manner, more trust will build over time and they are more likely to approach you first.
#5 Strategically Using Treats
Using treats are a great way to reward your cat to associate with positive results. You should do this sparingly though and only reward for good social interactions towards you. Any cat owner will know that all cat’s are different, and each have their own favourite snack. Using their favourite treat will build a better bond and help them to like you even more.
#6 Playing and Interacting With Your Cat
A play session with kitty can be an excellent way for you to bond. As with treats, each cat will also have their favourite toys. Again it’s a case of testing out different ones to see which ones your cat loves the most.
Don’t forget that cat’s have predatory instincts. The best kind of toys will usually be the ones that contain strings, feathers, or any other kind of prey-like attachments. You can also replicate the movements of a prey using the toys to really give your cat a stimulating experience.
Over time you will learn when your cat has had enough of playing. They will always come to you when they want more play time.
#7 Pet Cats In Their Favourite Places
Studies have shown that cat’s generally like to be petted on the forehead, cheeks, and under their chin. Cat’s will show positive responses if they like it such as blinking or purring. They will usually not like to be touched on their tails or tummy.
As previously mentioned, all cat’s are completely individual. It’s about trial and error, but these are a good starting point and a general guideline.
#8 Give Your Cat Space If You Get Negative Feedback
There are a number of signs that a cat doesn’t like you which we covered above in this post. Just to remind you, these signs are hissing, horizontal tail, hiding, biting, and walking away. It’s time to back off and give them space as soon as you see any of these signals.
Cat’s are not always in the mood for attention or to be petted. The more you respect their wishes by giving them space, the more they will begin to like you and you’ll find they will come back to you for more attention when they are ready.
#9 Socialize and Interact From When They Are Kittens
It’s ideal to start socializing from when they are kittens. Research has proven that positive interaction with kittens will help them to grow up to not only be friendlier but also more trusting of humans.
#10 Interact at The Appropriate Times
If you were asleep and somebody kept waking you up, you would be pretty annoyed. The same applies with cat’s. There’s certain times when you should just give them space and leave them to do what they need to do.
This includes when they are asleep, eating, drinking, or washing themselves. If you are trying to interact or play whilst they are doing any of these things, it can annoy or stress them out. This can lead them to be scared of you and start showing signs of dislike.
#11 Reciprocate Your Cat’s Affection
Reciprocating your cat’s affection will form a bond of love and trust between the two of you. Here are some ways in which your cat will show affection.
- Kneading: This is a very good sign and display of happiness from your cat which means they associate you as their mother.
- Licking: Cat’s lick and groom themselves on a regular basis, but they also lick you which allows them to claim you as their own.
- Bumping heads: If a cat bumps your head, return the gesture and gently bump them back. This will stimulate the oil glands in the front of a cat’s ears and will take this as a sign of friendliness
- Presenting their butt: A cat doing this will mean they see you as their parent and will want you to clean them. You should respond by blowing them gently which will allow them to associate you and your style of cleaning.
#12 Talk to Your Cat
Talking to your cat in a gentle tone will have a great bonding effect. This is especially true if they meow at you and you talk back to them. Cat’s are creatures of habit, so doing this over time will give them the signal that they can seek you out when they want attention.
How To Get a Cat To Like You When It Hates You Conclusion
Hope you enjoyed this article and that you know know how to get a cat to like you when it hates you. If anybody has experienced their cat taking a dislike to them, or if anybody has successfully used the techniques shown above, leave your comments and stories below.
