Are There Any Boundaries I Should Respect With My Cat?
Respect is among the indispensable ingredients to a successful relationship. This is not just true in human relationships, but also with your feline friend. If you want to forge a closer and stronger bond with your cat, it is important that you set and know the boundary your cat wants and respect it as much as possible.
In this post, we want to know if there is a boundary that you should respect with your cat. And if there is, then what are the things you should know about it?
Read on to learn more!
What Is A Boundary?
Boundaries in people work pretty much in the same way as boundaries in cats.
It is important to understand that personal boundaries include rules, limits, and guidelines that your cat assumes to identify safe, reasonable, and permissible ways for you and other people to behave towards him.
Moreover, along with setting personal boundaries, your cat also determines how he responds to people and other animals once that boundary is crossed.
Why Is Respecting the Personal Boundaries Of Your Cat So Crucial?
The primary reason you need to respect your cat’s boundary is to provide a safe and non-threatening environment. For many cats, safety is a huge issue for them. No one wants to get hurt and feel pain unnecessarily and that includes your cat.
Setting a personal boundary is especially important for rescue cats who have experienced abuse and neglect of their owners. Giving them certain boundaries they can call their own promote trust and allow them to develop a sense of security.
Another reason you need to set a boundary for your cat is to help your furry friend becomes more effective in social interaction. Once your cat feels safe and comfortable, he can be more outgoing and ready to mingle with you and others.
How To Give Your Cat Personal Space?
The first thing you need to do is never force your cat to socialize. Doing so could make your cat aggressive and scared.
For example, if a cat is hiding, don’t pull him out just to let your friends or visitors pet him. This can be a very traumatic experience for some cats.
Most cats would interact with you on their own accord. Sometimes, you need to refrain from establishing eye contact with your cat. You can simply look away while extending your hand to his direction. This encourages your cat to socialize without being perceived as a threat.
Moreover, don’t force your cat to interact with other cats and animals too. Let your cat decide whether he wants to enter into social interaction with other creatures or not.
You need to also be alert to some of the signs that your cat might need personal time and space. For example, if you see your cat hiding, competing with other pets for space and food, or being aggressive, he might need to retreat to his comfort zone. These problems pop up especially if you don’t give your cat enough personal space.
Designate a certain area in your home that your cat can call his own. Choose an area where people don’t walk too often into such as spare bedrooms, study rooms, and basements.
Once you have found the perfect spot for your cat, fill his space with cat essentials. You can add a comfortable bed, favorite toys, a litter box, food, and water.
When your cat uses his retreat or personal area, make sure you leave him alone unless an emergency comes up. Let your cat have his “me time” and let him do whatever he pleases – be it eating, playing, lounging, napping, or sleeping.
See Things From Your Cat’s Perspective
You love your cat and you know that love includes respect. It means that you respect what your cat wants and not simply what you want.
For this reason, you need to see things from your cat’s perspective. Imagine if you are in your cat’s shoes – or paws, rather : How would you feel in a given situation?
When you are able to sympathize with your cat more effectively, you are able to see the importance of having boundary and personal space. Your cat will appreciate you for being respectful. As a result, you promote a loving environment where your relationship will grow stronger and closer.
