I was married very young, and one of the BEST things someone did for me was buy me the book by Gary Chapman called the Five Love Languages. It explained SO much for me and my spouse, and it wasn’t until about a year ago that I realized it related to my parrots, too. And when I began training my cat, I knew it applied to her too, and ALL cats, for that matter.

Many people push their love language onto their animals, like you do with other humans. And like other humans, the animal doesn’t always appreciate your actions even if your heart is in the right place.

The 5 love languages of cats are the same as with humans, but they apply a little differently…

1. Physical touch (petting, cuddling)
2. Quality time (spending time hanging out together, playing, walking, etc.)
3. Words of affirmation (giving praise)
4. Acts of service (cleaning the litterbox, letting your cat out when it wants, carrying it from place to place or putting it somewhere it would normally have to expend a lot of energy to get to)
5. Gifts (providing plenty of toys and metal stimulation)

Now, everyone, including your cat… need ALL of these love languages. However, everyone has 1-2 primary love languages and that is the one you want to focus the most on.

I know my cat appreciates when I clean the litterbox. She tells me when it needs to be done, and when I go in to do it she goes right then and there before I take it all away! Talk about wanting it spotless…

She will also get in the habit of meowing A LOT if it has been a few days and she hasn’t gotten much attention. A cat can only go so long with following you around and getting ignored because you have other things to do.

I’m girly and I know it, but I tell my kitty how beautiful she is all the time. And I think she knows what I mean. Everyone needs a little praise every now and then, and even though your cat may not speak English, your tone says it all. And that’s rewarding enough.

Physical touch for a cat is usually on their terms. My cat loves snuggling when I watch a movie, and when I go to bed. She also loves randomly being pet when I see her around in the house, or when she throws herself down in the dirt or on the floor to show off how much she can roll. She expects me to be impressed, and to reward her for showing off for me. It’s important to give into these quirks about cats, it makes them feel good and in return, they will make YOU feel good.

Gifts… this is one reason I LOVE holidays with my pets. I always wrap their toys and put catnip inside so they rip open their own Christmas toys. But it’s also important to keep your cat happy and healthy and always look for the newest, coolest toy that you can bring home and reward your cat with. Don’t get me wrong, some will probably be under-appreciated and you might strike out a few times… but when you get one that they REALLY like, you’ve scored!

So take the day and figure out what love language your cat is. I know right now without a doubt, that my cat is quality time. She loves to hang out. Right now as I write this, she is to my left in the room. She just likes being wherever I am. It also means she is more likely to get pet and all the other languages fulfilled.