Do you wish your cat were more eager to hang out with you? Try a strategy to give your cat a greater appreciation for the hand that feeds him.

First, feed him meals instead of leaving food out. Call your kitty to eat and then take a seat and relax. Toss a kibble near your hungry cat to bat around or just gobble. As this game progresses, toss the kibble closer to you. Then hold the kibble in your fingers for your cat to sniff before dropping it.

Over time, your cat will be more eager to be by your side and may even seek you out when hunger strikes. Aloof cats need to know that food does not come from the cat god in the sky -- you are the source of all that's yummy.

Animal behavior experts Susan and Roland Tripp are the authors of "On Good Behavior." For more information, visit their Web site at AnimalBehavior.net.