Hang Out with Your Cat

Hanging out with your cat is good for you and good for the cat. Spending time with your feline companion improves your relationship, and gives you the opportunity to know what your cat might be thinking. In turn, your cat will grow to trust you a great deal more if you take the time to hang out together.

Spending time together

 * 1) Pick times of the day when you're free to just hang around with your cat. It might be sitting in front of the TV together, talking to your cat as you cook dinner or during a time for relaxing. Be sure to set aside this time each day. [[Image:Look After Your Cat Step 5.jpg|center]]
 * 2) Love. Whether your cat is shy or full of it, all cats need plenty of love. If your cat approaches you, stroke her or pick him up (if he or she likes this). Some cats will sit on your lap or beside you for hours. Stroke them, hug them and love them. This is the most fun way of hanging out together.[[Image:Look After Your Cat Step 7.jpg|center]]
 * 3) Play games together. Cats adore play, especially if it moves, wiggles, jumps, bounces, squeaks, etc. Use laser pointer dots, feathers on a stick, balls with bells attached, catnip mice, etc., to encourage your cat to play for ages.[[Image:Look After Your Cat Step 6.jpg|center]]
 * 4) *The benefit of taking the time to play together is that your cat is less likely to get up to mischief with the furniture and fragile things while you're out of the house.

Treat time

 * 1) Share treats with your cat regularly. This is both a form of reward and something fun to do. Your cat will always appreciate treat time. And why not make some cat biscuits from scratch? It's a good excuse for Kitty to sit in the kitchen soaking up the cooking odors while listening to you chat about your day.[[Image:Look After Your Cat Step 1.jpg|center]]

Making comfort zones

 * 1) Make cozy places for you and your cat. Both you and your cat will benefit from making comfortable places to lie down and rest, read and relax. There are lots of possibilities, just be sure to always provide space for kitty. Some examples include:[[Image:Look After Your Cat Step 2.jpg|center]]
 * 2) *Make a bed on the floor with lots of cushions, pillows and blankets. For your cat, you might include a basket or box lined with a cushion, folded blanket or old sweaters. Cats love to feel safe and secure, so this makes the ideal spot to curl up in.
 * 3) *Some cats may prefer a chair, sofa or bed to sleep on; it depends on the animal.
 * 4) *Make the sofa cat even more cat friendly by folding up soft blankets, throws and other desirable fabric to entice kitty to sit in specific spots.
 * 5) Put up a teepee or a fort in your favorite part of the house. Set it up with books, coffee, snacks, cat treats, a cozy basket or box for your cat to sleep in and some good but mellow lighting. Crawl in there and call kitty. Both of you can hide from the rest of the world inside your cozy hidey hole!

Hanging out together outdoors

 * 1) Encourage your cat to hang around you when outdoors. When you hang out the washing, do the gardening, pick up the weeds or wash the car, call your cat to come along and be with you.[[Image:Look After Your Cat Step 3.jpg|center]]
 * 2) *Always take care not to make sudden movements or to make noise when you're hanging out together outside. Both of these will disturb the moment and cause your cat to flee.
 * 3) Make your cat comfortable. If your cat isn't too happy about the dog, make time to put the dog away so that the cat can enjoy some backyard time with just you. Get into the habit of sharing your time between the pets, so that none of them feel left out.

Tips

 * You can get a cat flap to save you the trouble of opening the door every time they feel like going out.

Warnings

 * However cute, sometimes you just can't have kittens in your life. If you don't need and/or want kittens, then the answer is simple. Get your cat neutered at the vets!

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 * Try not to feed your cat too much. It may get fat and/or get arthritis.

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