Make Your Cat Think That You're its Mom

Have you ever noticed your cat following you around wherever you seem to go? Do they cry and meow at you at all hours of the day? Do they treat you differently than other family members or friends, in the sense that they are friendlier and more affectionate? It's more than likely that they see you as somewhat of a guardian, a protector, a mother and provider. In a way, they see you as their Mother (of sorts)! Of course they can sense that you are not an animal like they are, but they are well aware of the role you play in their lives and how important you are to their life in that regard. If you're having trouble building up a relationship with your cat, or are trying to deepen the connection you already have, here are some tips and suggestions to get you started.

Steps

 * 1)  Trust. Everyone knows how important this can be, or at least, they should - and nobody likes being betrayed. Gain trust by being kind, patient, and understanding. You don't need to spoil your cat, but let them know that they hold a special place in your heart by offering them a warm bed, a clean cat box, and a full bowl of food and water. Once you begin to take care of their basic needs, they will start to realize that you are providing for them, and will be more willing to put trust in you.[[Image:Make Your Cat Think That You're its Mom Step 1.jpg|center]]
 * 2)  Affection. This is a big one! Cats are a lot like people in that each cat has a unique personality and certain traits that you can pick out, some cats may be very affectionate while others are just less affectionate because...well, that's just how they are! We as humans also have distinct personalities, and some of us can be introverted, while others can be quite outgoing and extroverted. Some of us may be more inclined to show affection to others, while some of us may be more reserved.[[Image:Make Your Cat Think That You're its Mom Step 2.jpg|center]]
 * 3) It takes time to figure out how your cat responds to your displays of affection, whether it be cuddling with them, brushing them, or just petting them with a friendly hand. However, it is important to let them come to you sometimes instead of pursuing them yourself. This lets you know that they do crave your attention and affection, and it also lets you know when they are ready for it, rather than forcing them to be ready when you are. Of course, some cats just don't care either way.[[Image:Make Your Cat Think That You're its Mom Step 3.jpg|center]]
 * 4) Don't feel bad if your cat doesn't seem to show much interest in you, even if you've had them for a considerable amount of time. It doesn't mean they don't love you, this may just be the type of personality and attitude that your cat has, and there is still plenty of time to develop that special closeness.[[Image:Make Your Cat Think That You're its Mom Step 4.jpg|center]]
 * 5) Try getting down on their level. Lay down in the center of the room, on your back, and allow them to approach you. This way they can easily make eye contact with you, as well as rub against the parts of your body that normally aren't as accessible to them while you're standing, such as your hair, face, neck and chest. In addition to this, the lower you are to their level, the less threatened they will likely be, increasing your chances of gaining their trust and affection.[[Image:Make Your Cat Think That You're its Mom Step 5.jpg|center]]
 * 6) Be Motherly. You will (or at least you should!) have instincts that will urge you to protect and care for your feline companion. Among other things, make sure their environment is free of stress or fear inducing objects such as things that make loud or abrupt noises, or unknown pets that haven't had a chance to familiarize themselves with your cat. Once your cat feels safe, it will begin to relax and explore its new surroundings, including you![[Image:Make Your Cat Think That You're its Mom Step 6.jpg|center]]
 * 7)  Hygiene. A Mother also makes sure that her "baby" is healthy and takes care of any illnesses or ailments they may have. So should you, too, for your cat. Brush them daily if needed, and feed them a proper diet to ensure that they get the nutrients they need. Cats are routine animals, meaning they can and do happily adjust to a schedule. For this reason, you should decide upon a time to feed your cat each day, and try to stick to that  time. If your cat has a bed that it sleeps in, make sure to try to regularly clean it so that it doesn't accumulate too much hair or other debris. This definitely goes for the catbox as well - keep it as clean as possible.[[Image:Make Your Cat Think That You're its Mom Step 7.jpg|center]]
 * 8)  Give Them Love. Spend time with them one-on-one, in silence, without the T.V. or radio on, without any interruptions. This peaceful time allows you to clear your mind, reflect, and focus more on your relationship with your cat. Cats are full of life and personality, and lets face it - there is no real handbook on how to make your cat think you are its mother, but if you treat them with kindness, respect, and love them unconditionally, you are already well on your way to developing a lifelong friendship with your cat that will only get better with time.[[Image:Make Your Cat Think That You're its Mom Step 8.jpg|center]]
 * 9)  Remember: Cats don't understand punishment as humans do. They must be praised and rewarded for desired behavior, so do not under any circumstances strike or hit your cat; ever! Be fair. They are smaller than you and what might seem like a small amount of force to you can feel much worse to them. Even if you are angry - even if the cat did something wrong - there are alternatives to hitting your cat, and unfortunately all that accomplishes is getting them to fear you.[[Image:Make Your Cat Think That You're its Mom Step 9.jpg|center]]

Warnings

 * If you are considering allowing you cat to go outdoors, here are a few things to keep in mind: some people will go out of their way to harm stray cats with poison or other inhumane methods because they are cat-haters, animal-haters, or think that stray cats are a nuisance, etc. In addition, outside cats have a lower survival rate than inside cats do because they are exposed to many of the dangers of living in an industrialized society. Not only this, but other strays and wild animals may also be lurking and could target your pet as their next meal, or perhaps a threat to their territory or offspring. They can also pick up all kinds of unwanted pests such as fleas and ticks, and can contract and spread illnesses. Cats also like to climb into and hide in the wheel wells (if you do not know what this is, a simple google search of the term "wheel well" will suffice) of cars, and it’s also not uncommon to find a cat curled up under the hood of a car, where it’s warm — and drivers can miss the sound of cat cries coming from inside. There are documented reports of these kinds of accidents, and it's unfortunate and tragic. The best way to protect your cat from these dangers and many others is to keep them indoors.