Instructions
Show your cat respect. Cats, like people, want to be respected. Cats have a level of self respect comparable to humans and feel that they deserve to be treated as equals. You can have limits for your cat, but you must teach your cat those limits without belittling your cat.
Treat your cat as a member of your family and your cat will see you as another cat. Cats are very social animals and only become solitary when they are treated as less than a full fledge family member. Cats distance themselves from others when they do not feel respected.
Make sure that you touch a cat carefully at first. Cats protect their stomachs from anyone they do not know or trust. Do not try to pet a cat that does not know you. Let the cat smell you and if that cat is comfortable with your scent and your emotional connection, the cat will rub against you.
Developing an emotional connection with a cat is the ultimate form of trust. You must show your cat that you love them emotionally.
You show your cat respect when you refrain from teasing, tail pulling or staring down your cat. Cats consider staring as a threat and will respond in kind and may see any move forward as a reason to attack.
How to Earn a Cat's Trust
Cats make wonderful companions and best friends. In order to be best friends with a cat, you must earn a cat's trust. This takes time, patience and love, but is no different than becoming best friends with another person.