To accomplish this, train your cat during its typical meal time. You should never starve or withhold food from your cat.

Try playing with your cat (using a cat toy or yarn) while your friend sits down on the floor a few feet away.

If you prefer not to put cat food on your face, you can also use cream cheese. Make sure your cat is aware of the food nearby. You could even hold the cat near your friend, so the cat knows there is food present. Put the can of food away, so your cat will not be tempted to eat that instead.

Your cat will come to associate your praise with following the “kiss” command.

Eventually, the cat will start responding to the command and kiss without the treat. [4] X Research source

A slow, heavy-lidded eye blink and is roughly the cat equivalent of a “kiss. ”

If your cat’s teeth are revealed in a snarl, or its ears are flattened, these are signs of fear and hostility. Any eye blinks will not be affectionate. [7] X Research source Cats can also use narrowed eyes to show that they feel threatened. This is not the same as a blinking “kiss. ” When your cat narrows its eyes, it will tightly fold its ears back and pull its lips up in a snarl. [8] X Expert Source Brian Bourquin, DVMCat Behavior Trainer Expert Interview. 20 December 2019.

Before you have established trust with your cat, avoid making sudden movements around it, as these could be perceived as threatening. Even if you’re just trying to pet the cat, she could perceive a quickly raised hand as an attack signal. [9] X Research source For the same reason, avoid embracing your cat before you’ve established trust. A quick embrace could also be seen as a threatening gesture.

Relax your facial muscles and look towards your cat. Once your cat returns your gaze, briefly hold eye contact. Slowly blink your eyes, with eye contact before and after the blink.

Moving towards your cat with an open, extended hand may alarm or frighten it, as she will associate this gesture with an aggressive attack.

To reassure your cat, brush your closed fist against it. Once it accepts the physical contact, you can start petting the cat as you normally would.

If you cuddle with your cat—let it sit on or near you, or lay in your lap and sleep—you’ll communicate that you can be trusted. If your cat had any initial misgivings as to whether or not you meant it harm, cuddling and petting your cat will reassure the animal that you mean well and will not harm it.

Bunting can also show that your cat considers you a “safe” person to be around and indicates that it trusts you. [12] X Research source Like slowly blinking, this is not a behavior you can train your cat to perform. Your cat will spontaneously bunt you once you have developed its trust.

If you are playing with your cat, you can get down on your hands and knees so it can bunt your head directly. Bunting can also be an attention-seeking gesture. If your cat wants you to pet or play with it, it will bunt you to playfully get your attention. [14] X Research source