According to the latest statistics, there are 471 million pet dogs and 370 million pet cats. The pet population overall is more than 900 million. There is an increasing trend towards pet ownership all over the world.
The number of pets owned particularly increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. People found solace and comfort in animals as they were forced to stay indoors and avoid socialization. Pets provide incredible support and are great for mental and emotional well-being. They give comfort and companionship and demand very little in return.
Why Bonding With Pets Is Important
Pets can offer a lot in terms of emotional support. Their presence gets rid of the loneliness that many people experience. Having a pet around has been observed to lower depression.
Pet owners also experienced improved physical health since pets, in particular dogs, require physical activity which forces pet owners to live a more time life. Pet ownership has a lot of benefits.
To truly reap the benefits of having pets around it is necessary to develop a close bond with them. There needs to be a deep connection that goes beyond a superficial relationship. Most people think of their pets as part of the family. However, the development of such a relationship is dependent on both you and your pet and you have to take the first step.
Ways To Develop a Close Bond With Your Pet
It is not very difficult to get close to pets since they are so dependent upon us. They are also not very needy and dependent emotionally unlike in human relationships. It is easy to form a genuinely close bond with a cat or a dog.
If you are struggling to do so or are owning a pet for the first time, here are some ways you can form a close relationship with your pet:
1. Fulfill their Basic Needs
Pets are not very demanding but are very dependent on having their basic needs met. They are exactly like children in this regard, as they are dependent on us to get food and shelter.
There is a clear hierarchy in the relationship. To build a close bond, pet owners must meet the basic needs of their pets as soon as possible. Your cat or dog must also not feel you are doing them a favor by fulfilling their basic needs.
Never deprive of food or comfort even as a punitive measure. Doing this will create a power imbalance whereby your pet will become aware of that. Your relationship should be based on equality. Meeting your pet’s needs is your responsibility.
2. Be Gentle
Much like a child, your pet is bound to make mistakes. Peeing indoors or knocking down furniture are common occurrences. It is part of having a pet to get used to it. Invest time training your cat or dog so they may not repeat unwanted behaviors.
The most important part of training is being patient and gentle. Practice kindness because it may not always seem like it, but your pet genuinely wants to do good. Dogs, especially are people-pleasers.
Even if you must reprimand your cat or dog, do so with gentleness. This will create trust, and your pet will know they can rely on you even if they mess up. Being harsh will not improve the bad behavior much. Instead, it will only push your pet away.
3. Physical Affection
Aside from showing love and affection through your voice and actions, you must spoil your pet with physical acts of love. Hugging, cuddling, and patting them frequently communicate your passion for your pet. Dogs, for example, enjoy being massaged and hugged and lick their owners when they are happy. Cats are slightly more reserved but have moments when they crave attention and physical touch.
4. Play With Them
Playtime is a great bonding experience. It is also the perfect time to create some lifelong memories. Giving your pet to us to play with and have their alone time is part of the equation, but playtime, where you are also involved, is excellent for development.
Playing with your pet lets them know you care and are invested in the activities they like. Playing together builds trust and allows you to discover each other’s personality more. You will learn much about your furry friend through playing and discovering the personality traits. This deeper understanding provides a strong foundation for bonding and connecting with your pet.
5. Display Consistency
Animals like the predictability of routine tasks. It gives them a stable environment. Similarly, they respond well to consistent behaviors and attitudes since these are predictable and easy to deal with. They cannot handle change well, and a constant attitude is important for your pet’s emotional development.
If you are moody and inconsistent, your pet will find it hard to connect with you. They will always be on their guard. Consistent gives your cat or dog the comfort of familiarity, and they can respond suitably.
Your Pet And You
The process of bonding with your pet should not be forced. It is a natural outcome of owning and loving an animal over time. You would be surprised just how good animals are at picking up emotional queues and reciprocating accordingly. They have high levels of emotional intelligence.
So, do not feel pressured to form a bond. Do your best and treat your pets right; you will automatically bond with them. The most mundane moments can become bonding experiences, like walking with your Goldendoodle, getting your Bernedoodle haircuts, or stroking your Persian cats to sleep.
Bonding with your pets is not about grand gestures of love. It is the daily relationship you have with your furry friend. Do not compare your bond with your cat or dog to the one others have with their pets. Every relationship has its gestures and expressions. These differ from individual to individual and also vary between different pets. Your cat will not love you the same way your dog does because both express the same emotion differently. Remember to be open, loving, and caring no matter what.
About the Author:
M Hassan Iqbal is a skilled digital marketer with 3 years of experience in SEO and content writing. He occasionally writes blogs for Dynamologic Solutions, creating engaging content that attracts traffic and delivers value.