Getting Close to Your Cat

We often think of cats as being very independent animals. It seems as if they merely put up with their human owners. They seem to have their own interests, plans and preferences—none of which are really tied to the desires of their owners.

"You own a dog," they say, "but a cat owns you." Sometimes it can seem that way. Calling a cat to come to your side is often a hit or miss proposition. The cat will seemingly come to you when he or she feels like it, instead of when you would like it to do so. The positive reinforcement techniques that work so well in dog training are often eyed with a menacing glare by a cat who will walk away from an attempt at training whenever the mood hits him or her.

Despite the standoffishness of cats, we continue to keep them as pets. Cats were among history's first domesticated animals and have been an incomparably popular pet since nearly the beginning of recorded history.

What is it about cats that attract human interest? Is it their vulnerability? For all of their independence, domesticated cats could never make it in the wild—they need us whether they want to act that way or not.

Is it their independence? Perhaps we have a respect for their apparent self-determination and willingness to do their own thing regardless of what others want. Cats could be seen as an illustration of freedom.

Regardless of the reasons, cats and humans are forever linked. There is just something unique and special about the human/cat relationship. Even though the bond may defy easy description, it is apparent in the eyes of cat owners and felines alike.

It is worth mentioning that this bond between man and animal can be strengthened and made deeper via the adoption of some very simple strategies on the part of the pet owner. You see, despite their apparent disregard, cats do appreciate human companionship and can be very receptive to being treated in a certain way.

We are so often warned against spoiling. We shouldn't spoil our children. We shouldn't spoil our dog. We can, however, safely spoil our cat. Cat pampering is one of the best ways to improve a cat/owner relationship.

Cats thrive on human attention and caring. They tend to mirror that behavior. Those cats who are treated well generally tend to give more positive attention and comfort to their owners. Thus, even though it would still be rewarding without a personal payoff, cat pampering does offer some real advantage to the cat owner, as well as the pet.

Cat owners must take the time and expend the energy to do a few "extra" things for their pets. This might involve making homemade treats, proving a kitty with a massage, or simply giving the cat a warm towel fresh from the dryer in which to play. Efforts can run the gamut from spending some extra time with the cat to buying expensive cat playground equipment in the form of "kitty condos."

No matter what one does, it can have a positive impact. So long as the cat is receiving caring attention, a relationship is bound to grow. However, by seeking out and finding quality sources of information that provide helpful suggestions and hints on the subject of pampering one's cat, that relationship is likely to grow even faster and stronger.

Any cat owner interested in improving the overall quality of his or her relationship with her cat should consider searching out a multitude of ways by which they might be able to pamper a cat. Not all cats are amenable to all approaches, so it is important to find a series of options with which one can experiment in order to see optimal results.

Although all cats may not respond in the same way to particular pampering plans, every cat can be reached by some technique. It may take some time and effort to learn what really makes your cat tick, but the rewards certainly justify the efforts.