We cannot express enough how confidence building sessions can help your cat. This beautiful and easy lesson has worked wonders for our feline family – and has helped stop spraying and fighting in our home. It only takes 20 minutes to build your kitty’s confidence – and it’s 100% free!
Before we discuss this easy practice, let’s talk about why confidence building is important for your cat.
Stress is one of the leading causes for illness and disease in domestic cats. Cats that are chronically bored or aloof are actually experiencing stress. A cat’s nature is to hunt, play and exercise daily – yet our indoor kitties rarely get that opportunity. As a result, they can lose confidence and become depressed and anxious.
This lack of confidence tends to create friction in the home. Sometimes this presents itself as aggression between cats, unpredictable behavior towards humans, or even (and quite commonly) peeing or pooping anywhere but the litter box.
Just like you, we love our cats and want them to feel engaged, safe and respected. This is why it’s important to build our kitty’s confidence every once in awhile – regardless of if he’s exhibiting symptoms of stress.
How To Build Your Kitty’s Confidence Levels & Reduce Stress
Take your cat into a comfortable room alone – just you and the kitty. Leave all other pets outside the room and bring a fun toy. Wand toys are great for this. Give your cat your undivided attention for the entire 20 minutes. It may start with your kitty being a little confused by this focused attention – and that’s okay. Talk to her, pet or brush her – let her feel comfortable – and then start engaging in playtime with her. Let her really sink into her cat-ness – chasing, catching – get creative with engaging her instinct! Let her show you who she is… You may be surprised at the prowess that comes out! Play, love and talk together – let her see that she’s the only thing you care about in that moment. Then play some more! Watch her walk out of the room with her head held high.
If there are current behavior problems you may have to do this more than once. Try doing it daily for 2-4 days (or furrever!) and see how this simple practice can re-channel some of the most difficult behavioral issues.
I’m telling you… this is the easiest thing in the world to do. Not only is it cathartic for our cats, it’s fun for us and builds an even deeper bond with these beautiful soul we share our lives with. And all it takes is 20 minutes.
Our unspeakable gratitude goes to the legendary Dr. Marci Koski of Feline Behavior Solutions for teaching us this exercise when we were struggling through some tough issues with our Pooh Bear. It’s been life changing for us and we hope it is for you too!
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