Many people choose to raise cats because cats are quiet and easier to take care of compared to dogs. If your cat is naturally timid and shy with strangers, and whenever strangers come to your home you can’t find any trace of your cat, how should you train it?

　　1. Get used to human voices.

　　Timid cats find it hard to trust people. If the owner lives alone and the cat is home alone during the day, skin-to-skin contact with the cat after returning home becomes even more important. Some even talk to their cats using recorded phone calls when they go out, helping the cat get used to human voices.

　　2. Frequently hold and play with it is very important.

　　Cats are naturally cautious animals and usually ignore strangers or even run away. Some may feel satisfied just having a close relationship with their cat, but it is ultimately joyful if people around also acknowledge and love your cat. Even feral cats can like being close to humans, but there are also purebred cats that are very cherished yet shy with people. This shows that cats have various personalities. Cats that are often held and played with from kittenhood tend to like being close to people.

　　3. What to do if the cat is shy with strangers?

　　It is important to let the cat interact with unfamiliar people. Short-haired cats like being held, but long-haired cats often run out of your arms no matter what. Because of this, try to hold your cat as much as possible from kittenhood. However, don’t hold the cat excessively to the point it feels annoyed—don’t force it. Sometimes play with the cat, throw balls for it, or tease and stroke it to maintain skin contact. If the owner lives alone or with few family members, frequently invite friends who like cats over to help the cat experience socializing with strangers.