We know the relationship between yourself and your furry friend is pretty special. After all, no one knows them like you do. And besides, you’re their favourite human! But like with any other relationship, maintaining that unique bond with your dog or cat takes a little time and dedication.
So, whether you’ve just welcomed a puppy into your life, have adopted a senior cat or would like to improve the connection with your furry friend, here are some tips for a long-lasting bond.
1. Give them your full attention
In our busy lives, sometimes we have no choice but to multi-task. However, it’s good to remind ourselves to be present when staring at our phone too long or going over our mental to-do list when throwing that ball or sitting around with our pets. Dogs and cats are more perceptive than we give them credit for, and like the good little psychics they are, they know exactly when they’ve got our undivided attention.
2. Learn to read the signs
Dogs and cats may not be able to talk about their feelings, but our feline and canine friends are not short on personality traits. And finding the time to observe them will help you get attuned to your pet’s likes and dislikes.
This means paying attention to their body language, the games they enjoy and the situations that can make them feel stressed.
So, while you may have a strong desire to cuddle your new cat constantly (we can’t blame you), the sensible thing to do may be to give them a little space, especially while they are adjusting to your home. Cats love hiding places, so making sure they have enough options (like cat trees and cat caves) will cover one of their most basic needs.
3. Keep a routine
Animals take comfort in consistency, so it’s important to create some structure around your pet’s day, as this will help them thrive. On the other hand, if your pet’s days are unpredictable, they could grow confused or become unpredictable themselves.
Establishing a routine around feeding, grooming and walks can make life much easier for you and your pet. But remember, having a schedule doesn’t mean you shouldn’t switch things up from time to time. This can be as easy as choosing a different route to your usual one or rewarding them with a new treat.
4. Teach them something new
Mental stimulation is crucial for the wellbeing of your pet, and it can be a great way to improve the connection you have with them. This can be anything from teaching your dog a new trick to training your cat to follow a few basic commands.
Don’t know where to start? Make them work for their food! Both dogs and cats are food-motivated, so we can use cat or dog treats as a reward for learning commands like ‘fetch’, ‘sit’, or ‘shake’. The key is in being patient, keeping sessions fun (no longer than a few minutes) and using lots of positive reinforcement.
Using both vocal and visual signs works best. So, if you’re teaching your pooch to give their paw, hold out an empty hand with your palm facing up while saying the word ‘shake’. Over time and with repetition, your pet will learn to follow the cue.
As you can see, these are just some of the ways you can make time with your pet more meaningful. But as every pet is different, the possibilities are endless! So if, at the end of the day, what you both love most is to snuggle up on the couch, we won’t be the ones to stop you.
