Besides demanding attractiveness, cat owners generally pay close attention to whether their cats are affectionate. Often, cat owners complain: Why is it that after owning a cat for so long, it's still not as loving as someone else's cat that's only been owned for a few months?

Why does he seem so aloof despite being very good and attentive to the cat? Every perplexed cat owner seems like a walking "why." In reality, the reason why most cats owned by cat owners are not affectionate is related to how the cat is raised.

1. Which behaviors of cat owners can make cats less affectionate?

First, hitting or scolding the cat makes the cat feel nervous around you. In the cat's subconscious, they don't have the most direct feelings for their owners. They only perceive and get used to this interaction through long-term companionship and your attitude towards them.

A cat being affectionate indicates that it feels no pressure around you but instead feels secure. However, if you frequently hit, scold, or intimidate the cat, especially when it's young, its resistance toward you will intensify. As the cat ages, it will only become more guarded and won't feel any gratitude towards you.

Second: alienating the cat, making it feel no warmth. There was a cat owner who gave up on their cat in less than a year and eventually handed it over to someone they trusted. The reason was that they traveled three to five times a month, each time for a minimum of 3 days and sometimes up to 5 days. This lifestyle and work pattern brought about a problem: the cat was left alone at home for long periods with only cold food and water.

Even though cats may seem aloof and independent, deep down, they long for interaction and companionship; if you often leave the cat alone at home during the cat-raising process, its sense of dependence on you will decrease, making it challenging to cultivate again.

Cats are both simple and complex creatures. The simplicity lies in that they will stick to you quietly if you provide them with food, care, and companionship. The complexity lies in their unstable emotions; they behave differently depending on their mood. They may run around happily when they're in a good mood or scratch and act aloof when they're not.

2. What can cat owners do to cultivate an affectionate cat?

First, try the "withdrawal effect." This psychological principle can be understood as the more you treat someone well, the less they appreciate it. Conversely, if you show a slight aloofness and pretend to leave them, they will immediately treat you better.

You can occasionally try this when raising a cat. For example, when the cat wants to rub against you, intentionally ignore it. When the cat wants food, please don't give it immediately. After a few hours of persistence, the cat will become more and more proactive and affectionate. When the cat yields, you can feed it and fulfill its needs, deepening its appreciation for you.

Second: "Do not do unto cats what you would not want cats to do unto you." Look at things from the cat's perspective and love the cat in a way that it understands. Respect the cat, and don't force it to do things it dislikes.

For example, if the cat doesn't like being held, don't force it; it will naturally come to you when the cat has needs. If you insist on something the cat dislikes, it will think you have ill intentions and develop a defensive attitude towards you. Understanding this principle will make your journey of cat ownership smoother.

Remember, cats aren't affectionate; they are only owners who don't understand the cat's thoughts.