Cats are naturally cautious animals and usually ignore strangers they don’t know, sometimes even running away. So how should we interact with them?

　　Some people might feel satisfied as long as the cat has a close relationship with its owner, but it is ultimately a joyful thing if people around also recognize and love the cat you care about. Even wild cats sometimes like to be close to people, but there are also cases where well-cared purebred cats are shy with people. This shows that cats have various personalities. Cats that are frequently held and played with from kittenhood tend to like being close to people.

　　Short-haired cats like being held, but long-haired cats often escape quickly from your arms once picked up. Because of this, try to hold the cat as much as possible from kittenhood. However, don’t hold the cat too much to the point of annoying it; don’t force the cat to be held. Sometimes play with the cat by throwing balls or teasing while petting it to have skin contact. If the owner lives alone or has few family members, also invite friends who like cats to come over often so the cat can experience interaction with strangers.