SHEBA® reveals the top 10 ways to win back your feline’s affection

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16 April 2026
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For a nation of devoted cat lovers, the affection they shower on their feline companions can sometimes feel like a one-way street.

New research commissioned by SHEBA® reveals that 63% of UK cat owners say they regularly receive the ‘silent treatment’ from their pet, while 26% of cat parents have experienced their cat leaving the house or disappearing as soon as they arrive home.

To help owners turn indifference into affection, SHEBA® has partnered with Brit-nominated artist Cat Burns to launch the IGNORED TO ADORED™ campaign - a programme grounded in behavioural science from the Waltham Petcare SciencE Institute, designed to help strengthen the bond between cats and their owner.

Based on SHEBA®’s research and expert insight, here are the top 10 recommended ways cat owners can help win back their cat’s affection:

 

1. Give them treats (52%)
 

2. Make time for play (46%)
 

3. Invest in toys they’ll love (33%)
 

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4. Offer gentle affection (32%)
 

5. Let them sleep on the bed (32%)
 

6. Give them space (30%)
 

7. Groom them regularly (29%)
 

8. Speak to them in a soft voice (27%)
 

9. Try the ‘slow blink’ (25%)
 

10. Upgrade their food (22%)


Nutrition plays an important role in wellbeing, and providing high-quality meals can help support positive daily routines that strengthen the owner-cat bond.