HOW CAN I EARN MY CAT'S LOVE?

If you adopt your cat when she's a kitten, you can train her to be more comfortable with being handled. Pet her gently often and play with her frequently. Hold her paws, so she's comfortable getting her nails trimmed when she's a little older. Play games with her and invite your friends over so she can grow more at ease with human interaction.

4. Communicate in Your Cat's Language

Another key to getting your cat to like you more is to communicate with him in his language. When your cat looks at you, look him right in the eyes and blink slowly. This communicates that you feel safe and comfortable with him. When he's near you, don't surprise him with a quick pet. Instead, extend your hand near his face and let him sniff it first. If your scent and actions are acceptable, he'll rub his head against your hand or touch your hand with his nose. This is how you know it's okay to pet him gently.

Pay attention to his body language. If he starts twitching his tail or narrowing his ears, this is a sign to pull back. The more you respect his body language, the more likely he will approach you for pets in the future.

You might also notice your cat eventually develops a way of letting you know when he wants to be petted or played with. Perhaps he sits quietly beside you when he wants a pet. Or he may even develop a very specific cadence of meows that indicates he wants to play. The more you respond to these, the more you'll develop a "language" that is just for the two of you.