PET OF THE WEEK: Tara is an attention-loving social butterfly. This 4-year-old black and white cat is a plus-sized beauty with mesmerizing golden eyes and a habit of greeting everyone who comes into the room. Overall a mellow and funny cat, she’d be a great companion. She loves to play with pom poms and laser toys and can’t wait to cuddle with you! Ask for Tara, ID# A828447. Adoptable pets are available at Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA’s Tom and Annette Lantos Center for Compassion, 1450 Rollins Road, Burlingame. For information, call 650-340-7022 or visit www.phs-spca.org. (Hiromi Motojima / Peninsula Humane Society)
Dear Miss Behavin’: My kitty hides out whenever people come over to my house. Is there way to help her feel more comfortable when we have company?
Reply: Depending on your visitors and how many there are, there are certainly a few things you can try to encourage your cat to be a bit more social.
If you have multiple people over or a party, there won’t be much you can do to convince your cat that it’s a good time to come out. This is especially true if your cat is on the shy side. Leave her be and ask your guests not to bother her.
In these situations, it helps if your cat has a few safe places to hide. Don’t force her or carry her out to your guests if she’s hiding in her safe spot. She’ll need to be comfortable on her own in order to make progress.
If you have a few people over or it’s generally a low-key visit, you can toss a few of your cat’s favorite treats out on the floor near you, or ask your guests to play with a toy your cat usually likes. This type of “neutral” interaction, where your cat isn’t forced to be social, will encourage her to engage with new people.
Last but not least, accept your cat for who she is. Some cats are social butterflies and run up to greet visitors much like a dog. Others prefer human interaction in small doses, at their discretion. And there are always the cats who want human interaction to be if and when they ask for it, and only then.