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How do I approach a pet?

Knowing when to come near and when to give space to your pet is the key to a good relationship! This blog post will share precious tips on how to approach a pet.

A vector illustration of a large rectangle of a Traffic light Green paper-textured text bubble on a Mystic Green paper-textured background, where Violet, a medium-sized cat with white fur and only her left eye; Her left ear and tail are aubergine, is sitting on the left, looking up with her eye open and her tail up and wavy, facing up and right to the text bubble shape with her paw on top of it left corner.

Pets are part of our families, but we speak different languages. When approaching your pet or an unfamiliar one, be aware of what they are trying to tell you so that you can be safe and your pet feels comfortable with you.

  • A vector illustration on a large Light Night Snow blue paper-textured rectangle with a smaller Off-White rectangle at the bottom, shows the back of Lily’s head, a slim, white-skinned female-presenting woman of average height with aubergine hair, facing Violet. Violet is hiding behind a Night Snow blue vase with a Light Night snow plant in the corner of the room, cowered against the wall with her tail between her legs and her ears backward. A blue dashed cone shape is going from Lily’s eye to a circle around Violet.

1. Observe your pet's behavior and body language before approaching

After a while, you will start noticing your pet has behavioral patterns and routines, and you will start to understand their particular language. Some of their postures are calming signals, and you can reciprocate them to your pet when approaching.

  • A vector illustration on a large Light Night Snow blue paper-textured rectangle with a smaller Off-White rectangle at the bottom, shows Lily walking towards Violet. Violet is walking to the right, with her tail down and her ears backward. On the floor, a dashed arrow describes a concave curve from Lily´s left foot towards Violet.

2. Approach when safe, slowly, and moving in an arch towards your pet

  • A vector illustration on a Light Night Snow blue paper-textured rectangle with an Off-White rectangle at the bottom, shows Lily walking towards Violet, sitting at her left, facing her with her left paw in the air and her tail around her legs on the floor. On the floor, a dashed arrow describes a concave curve from Lily´s left foot to Violet´s right. Lily’s face is facing away from Violet, her mouth is open, and her visible eye is closed. A Night snow blue icon on the top right corner of the image shows an eye crossed out by a diagonal line.

3. Let them see you coming but avoid direct eye contact
4. You can display other calming signals, such as turning your head or body and yawning

  • A vector illustration on a Light Night Snow blue paper-textured rectangle with an Off-White rectangle at the bottom, shows Lily standing in front of Violet, sitting at her left, facing her, with her legs on the floor and her tail up and wavy. A blue speech bubble is coming from Lily’s mouth with a wavy horizontal line inside it; two similar circles of ray lines float at the right side of her head; a Night snow blue icon on the top right corner of the image shows a megaphone with zigzag lines spurting out of it crossed out by a diagonal line.

5. Avoid any sudden sounds or movements that may scare them
6. Speak in a soothing, reassuring voice

You want your pet to be calm and confident when you approach them. Avoid sudden sounds or movements that may scare your pet and create a negative association with you. Talk in a soothing and calm voice.

  • A vector illustration on a Light Night Snow blue paper-textured rectangle with an Off-White rectangle at the bottom, shows Lily squatting, with her right knee on the floor and her left knee up, facing away to the top right, but her eyes are looking at Violet. Her left arm rests on her left leg, and she is smiling. , Violet is approaching Lily from the left, with her right paw in the air, ready for the next step, and her tail up and wavy. Two similar circles of ray lines float left and above both of their heads.

7. Let them get closer after crouching nearby (if the pet is not showing signs of reactivity)
8. Avoid standing over them

When you get close to your pet, and if they are comfortable, you can crouch down and let them get close to you if they feel like doing that. Avoid standing over them if they are showing signs of insecurity.
You can also position yourself sideways, yawn, and avoid eye contact if your pet needs reassuring signals.

  • A vector illustration on a Light Night Snow blue paper-textured rectangle with an Off-White rectangle at the bottom, shows Lily squatting, with her right knee on the floor and her left knee up, facing away to the top right, but her eyes are looking at Violet. Her left arm rests on her left leg, and she is smiling. Violet is approaching Lily from the left, with her right paw in the air, ready for the next step, and her tail up and wavy. Two similar circles of ray lines float left and above both of their heads.

9. Use treats or food, if available, to lure your pet.

If your pet is uncomfortable, you can use pet food or a toy to encourage your pet to come near you.

"How do I approach a pet?" Poster
  • A vector illustration on a Light Night Snow blue paper-textured rectangle with an Off-White rectangle at the bottom, shows Lily kneeling, facing, and looking at Violet at her left. Violet sits with a paw on Lily´s right leg, and her tail is up and wavy. Lily is petting Violet with her right hand on her back and smiles.

That’s it!
 Stay tuned for our next blog post. Thank you for reading!

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References
  1. Rugaas, Turid. (2006). On Talking Terms with Dogs: Calming Signals. (2nd edition). Dogwise Publishing.
  2. Chin, Lili (2020). Doggie Language. Summersdale Publishers Ltd.

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