Most cat owners might wish to have a cuddly cat who enjoys being kissed and loved. Unfortunately, not all cats are naturally inclined to be cuddly. Some cats may be more independent or aloof to human attention.
Therefore, you might ask how to make your cat cuddly and happy. Is it possible to train them?
The short answer is Yes, it is possible to train your cat to be cuddlier and happier, but you need to be patient and effort.
In this post, we will share with you some possible effective tips and techniques to help you make your cat cuddlier and bond with your small friend.
Can Cats Learn to Be Cuddly?
Absolutely Yes, cats can learn to be more affectionate and content. Cats are smart and curious animals so, some may get to learn fast and easily, but it depends on some factors including their behavior, environment, health, and individual personality.
General, cats may warm up quickly within a few weeks of consistent positive interaction while others might take months or even longer to become comfortable it cuddling.
Moreover, factors like your cat’s personality, previous experiences, age, and habitat all contribute to the timing. As a result, it is important to remember that patience is always key.
Why Are Cats Not Like Cuddly?
Before we talk about how to train our cats to be cuddly or happy, we should know about the main reason why they are not cuddly first.
Below there are a few common reasons why cats may not like cuddly:
- Restriction of Their Natural Ability
Based on cats’ natural behaviors, they might feel trapped or threatened when they are cuddled. Due to their independence and territorial nature, cats may not enjoy being carried or cuddled by people. This can make them feel exposed or uneasy, or it might awaken their natural desire to fight or run.
- Bored or Stressed
Cats may become less loving and joyful if they are faced with stressful or uninteresting conditions, such as loud noises, strange persons or animals, lack of stimulation or enrichment, or changes to their routine or environment.
- In Pain or Injured
Sick or uncomfortable cats may not want to be cuddled or caressed because they think it would make them feel worse or cause them additional stress.
- Bad Experience in Pass
Cats who had bad experiences with people in the past may not trust people or enjoy human contact. They may not prefer to have close contact with people with it suits them and at their speed.
Anyway, these reasons are not true for all cats as each cat is different and has its personality and preferences.
5 Tips on How to Make Your Cat Cuddly
Now we have understood some of the reasons why some cats are not cuddly, let’s look at some ideas and tips on how to make your cat cuddly and happy.
Here are some tips for improving your relationship with your cat and making it more cozy and friendly.
1. Respect Their Personal Space
The first and most important tip of advice is to respect their personal space. You should let your cat come to you on its terms and pace. Do not pick up your cat against its will or force it to cuddle with you.
Respect your cat’s boundaries and signals, and do not pet or touch your cat in places that it does not like, such as the belly, the tail, or the paws as it will only make your cat scared, angry, or resentful of you.
2. Creating Trust and Building Confidence
Cats are sensitive and intelligent animals and they can sense the emotions and intentions of their owner. Therefore, their owner needs to build trust in them.
You need to be gentle and patient by using a sweet voice tone and reward your cat with treats or toys as it is a sign of affection or trust. Gradually, your cat will learn to associate you with positive, pleasant, and feeling relaxed around us.
3. Massage and Groom
It can also strengthen the bond between you and your small friend. You can massage your cat by using your palms and fingers to gently stoke and rub their head, neck, back, and sides. It can help your cat relax and release stress but, you should avoid using your fingers as they may feel too sharp or ticklish.
Additionally, grooming can also help your cat stay clean and healthy. You can use a soft-bristled brush or a comb to gently brush your cat’s fur and remove any mats or dirt, but you need to be careful not to any water or soap in your cat’s eyes, nose, or mouth as they may cause infections or irritation.
However, if you are not sure how to groom your cat properly you can ask your vet, or a professional, or read our article on how to keep cat teeth-clean, how often can you bathe your cat.
4. Playtime and Interactive Toys
Another tip is to engage in playtime especially as they grow older. Playtime is not only enjoyable and stimulating for your cat, but it is also good for its physical and mental health. It can help your cat exercise, burn calories, reduce stress, and prevent behavioral problems.
You can play with your cat by using a variety of toys such as balls, lasers, catnip, or feathers. By doing this, they might feel enjoyment, trust, and confidence when they stay with you.
5. Keep Routine
Cats are animals of habit and they prefer regular and constant schedules. Keeping a routine can help your cat feel more secure and comfortable and it can also create more opportunities for you to cuddle with your cat.
According to my experience, I always play with my cat at the same time every day and then cuddle with her after she gets tired. Having a daily routine like this can help my cat associate me with positive and pleasant activities.
However, keep in mind that each cat is unique and has its personality and preferences. Some cats are cuddlier and more affectionate than others, and some cats require more time and patience to become such as a result, accept your cat’s originality and distinctiveness by not forcing it to cuddle with you or change its habit.
How Do You Sure Your Cat Is Cuddlier?
After you train your cat to be cuddly, you may ask yourself how to do you know that your cat is cuddlier.
Here are some signs immediately that your cat is cuddlier:
- Your cat may follow you everywhere even when you are in the bathroom.
- They might communicate with you by meowing, purring, kneading, or seeking physical contact to get your attention.
- When visitors come around, your cat acts shy and stays close to you.
- They are excited when they see you arrive home.
- They use slow blinks to show their love and trust to you.
In general, cats may show affection in different ways. You can gain insight by observing your cat’s body language and how it reacts to your affection.
Finally Thought:
Cats are intelligent animals that can learn to be cuddly. You can train your cat to be cuddly by developing a relationship with them, massaging and grooming them, playing with them, giving them toys, and maintaining a schedule.
Moreover, you should avoid using negative behavior with them like punishing them, picking up them, or forcing them to cuddle with you if they don’t want to.
You need to keep in mind that cats have their personality and preferences. Some cats might take a long time to be cuddly so, you must be patient!
Thank you for reading. We hope it will help you!
