Getting your cat socialized is essential if you want to have a fun and loving relationship with them for a long time. Without this, your cat will not want to be around you or others. Ensuring that your cat does not become asocial is easy as long as you know what you are doing.
If you are asking yourself, “Why is my cat asocial?” or brought a new kitten home and want to ensure that it doesn’t occur, be sure to understand a cat’s nature and how to earn their trust. You will have to learn that a cat’s social behaviour is different from other types of pets, especially dogs.
Cats tend to be more reserved and introverted, but this does not mean that they are asocial. They enjoy having time to themselves as much as they love being around their owners. An antisocial cat is a cat that does not want to be around you or other animals. This can be in an aggressive way or completely isolating themselves as much as possible.
While this can happen with any cat, this type of behaviour is usually seen with feral or stray cats since they grew up mostly alone and without any human contact. It can also be seen with cats with certain illnesses, territorial issues, or abuse of some sort previously in their lives.
So, if you are worried about adopting a rescued cat or taking in a cat from your neighbourhood, there are ways to socialize them and make them happy to avoid this situation. Here is how.
Asocial Felines: How To Avoid It
The best way to make your cat more social is to learn as much about them as possible to gain their trust. Knowing when your cat is open to affection is a great start so that you can begin to give that to them. All cats need love, even if they seem or pretend like they don’t.
Another way you should try getting closer to your cat is by using treats as a way to lure them in. Placing a trail of treats on your lap will teach your cat that you are open to lap cuddles and that they don’t have to be afraid of you. The primary emotion that cats feel when they are not social is fear, so diminishing this will make you and your cat friends in no time.
Not allowing your cat to hide is another great way to ensure that they do not isolate themselves. Block off any areas that they keep themselves hidden to have to be out in the open more often. Over time, this will make your cat more comfortable and more open to you and your home.
Now that you know more about preventing asocial behaviour in a cat and what causes it, we can move on to how to entertain a cat and get you guys having fun faster.
How To Amuse Cats
Playing
Just like dogs and humans, cats love to play, too. However, playing with cats is different since they have many of the traits that cats in the wild do. Because of this, they love to chase and capture small things that move, making it easy to find toys or objects for them to play with.
You can use a small laser to move around the room to entertain them, as long as you do not shine it in their eyes.
There are also many toys on the market that you can throw around to get their feet moving and apps on smart devices available to give them something to chase or try to catch.
Gazing Out Of The Window
Another activity that many cats enjoy when they are not sleeping is looking out of the window. They are inquisitive creatures, so it is no surprise that they are content with sitting in the window for hours on end.
Here, they can watch small animals such as birds and squirrels keep them occupied. So, if you want a happy cat, be sure to leave your windowsill clear of any clutter for easy access.
Scratching
Cats love to scratch things. It soothes and calms their nerves and allows them to stretch and energize themselves. Be sure to invest in a scratching post so that they can relax and scratch, or else they will end up using your furniture to do so. It is also recommended to get a tall scratching post and have different levels to allow them to explore and feel adventurous.
Spending Quality Time With Their Humans
Cats are very affectionate creatures once they trust you. They will want to cuddle in your lap and sleep or be petted for hours at a time. They love feeling loved and giving love to their owners, so don’t be surprised that after cuddling for a while, they start to lick you and rub their face against yours.
Also, you may know that cats love grooming themselves, and it is for this reason, they do not require frequent bathing. Some cats like it when their owners groom them, too, making it a great bonding experience for both of you. All you have to do is introduce them to brushes and combs and rub them while they are lounging with you.
Walking
The last activity that we will talk about on this list is walking with your cat. Your cat will greatly enjoy being able to step outside to use their senses in different ways. Taking your cat outdoors can be a little tricky for some, however, especially if your cat is not used to it and is afraid.
The first thing you have to do is get them used to be on a harness and leash, so they do not run away and get lost when they are walking with you.
Cats used to be outside will not require a leash unless you take them on a long distance. Your cat will greatly appreciate being allowed to explore the outside world that they are so curious about.
Conclusion
As you can see, socializing your cat and making them lovely and happy household pets don’t have to be hard. Showering them with your love and earning their trust will enable you to do the five activities mentioned above to keep them entertained and fulfilled. Thank you for reading, and good luck with your new feline friend.
