“Whilst it might be hard to resist wanting to give your cat a snuggle, it’s best to wait for your cat to approach you before giving them a fuss. Even then, only very tolerant cats will accept ‘cuddles’—and it doesn’t mean they actually like them! Gentle strokes and cheek and chin rubs are more likely to be welcomed, but too much close, held contact can make them feel trapped and unhappy. Try to be a little more reserved with them to help them learn to trust you, and, in turn, strengthen your bond and make them more likely to approach you for affection.” According to the Vet Nurse, most cats aren’t ‘huggers.’ Luckily, there are other ways to bond with your cat. “Playtime releases ‘happy’ hormones in cats’ brains, so if you incorporate playing together in your daily routine, chances are your cat will start to associate those happy feelings with spending time with you,” she explained to Bored Panda. “The best toys to keep cats active and engaged are ones they can ‘hunt’ and ‘chase’ such as fishing rod type toys, as this replicates their natural desire to go out hunting. Fishing rod-style toys are great for owners, too, as they also keep hands out of the way of your cat’s sharp claws whilst playing. Cats also enjoy puzzle feeders, where they can ‘hunt’ out their food.” Grooming your cat is another great way to bond with them. “Cats are usually incredibly good at grooming themselves, but when approached correctly, gently brushing their fur with a cat brush can be relaxing for both you and your cat. Getting into the routine of brushing your cat each day can be great for building a lovely bond but also handy to help remove any excess fur and prevent any knots building up, especially in long-haired cats,” she said. “You will soon know that you and your cat are developing a great relationship when your cat just wants to be in your company and approaches you for love and affection. When they curl their tail around your legs, give you a head bump, jump up and join you when you’re relaxing, or just ‘hang out’ with you around home, you’ll know that you’ve got a best friend.” For more advice about looking after your cats, check out the PDSA website. He explained that cat memes are beloved on the internet due to their overload of cuteness… however, that’s just one of the many reasons they’re popular. “Cats are undeniably adorable, with their big eyes, playful antics, and fluffy fur,” he told us earlier. Sington said that this adorableness and playfulness trigger positive emotions and awe in us whenever we look at cat content, whether we’re looking at photos or giggling and aww’ing at videos. Feline-related content can go viral incredibly quickly because cats can behave unexpectedly. Furthermore, they’re masters of clumsy antics. Meanwhile, a huge upside of looking at cat photos and memes is that it can lower our blood pressure and reduce our stress hormones, which is a big win for our physical and mental health. Of course, the same goes for other animal-related content. “In a fast-paced world, a quick cat meme break can be a great way to boost our mood and improve our mental well-being,” Sington said. “Their goofy antics and cuteness provide endless source material,” he said. “The format is endlessly adaptable. Cat memes can be funny, heartwarming, relatable, or even savage." “They’re a reminder of the simple pleasures of online humor and the enduring fascination with our feline companions,” pop culture expert Sington told us during an interview. China is also a big fan of these animals. Roughly 53.1 million cats live there. Meanwhile, you’ll find around 15.2 million cats in Germany, 14.9 million in France, and 12 million in the United Kingdom. We’d like to hear your thoughts, so if you have a moment, share yours in the comments section. Meanwhile, tell us all about your pets! We’re all ears… Follow Bored Panda on Google News! Follow us on Flipboard.com/@boredpanda! Please use high-res photos without watermarks Ooops! Your image is too large, maximum file size is 8 MB.
