Can you train a cat to be cuddly?… Well, This will depend on your bond with your kitten over time, cats generally get more affectionate as they start to trust you, if you are affectionate and give them space they will give back.
But, should you force a cat to be affectionate? Is this ok? Well…I am here to help you! Because everybody loves grumpy cat’s cattitude memes but nobody wants a cat that’s always grumpy!
I am going to give you tips to get your kitten to be a lap cat and address all of your concerns, including:
- How To Raise A Kitten To Be Cuddly?
- How to tell if a kitten is going to be a lap cat?
- Do kittens get more affectionate as they get older?
- How to pick a cuddly kitten?
- Which are the most affectionate kitten breeds?
Nevertheless, I have to warn you cats are their own people, so you can’t expect them all to be the same. We love cuddling our furbabies, but the feeling isn’t always mutual- some cats just don’t like to be cuddled as they grow or even as kittens, is just part of their personality.
Key Takeaways
- You can train kittens to be more cuddly but don’t force them.
- Playing with your kitten is one of the best ways to form a bond.
- Hold your kitty frequently so it gets used to it, just don’t overdo it!
- Some cats become more affectionate as they mature because they also become more comfortable around you.
- Just focus on making your kitten feel loved, give them space and establish rituals to create a secure bond between you two.
Disclaimers
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How To Raise A Kitten To Be Cuddly?
Not all kittens are cuddly because they’re not all the same. Still, there are ways to make your kitten cuddly from the get-go. In fact, here we’ve gathered some of our top tips on how to raise a kitten to be cuddly!
#1 Baby Your Kitten
Kittens are baby cats, so don’t treat them like adults. First of all, you shouldn’t separate a kitten from its mom and littermates till at least 8 weeks of age. A kitten any younger than that will require non-stop attention, and any sort of neglect could prove fatal. Nevertheless, when you decide to get a kitten, you must go all out to help it feel well-adjusted and comfortable in its new home.
So, make sure to keep them warm and cuddled up like when they were surrounded by their mom and siblings. Obviously, since you’re their new mother, you should do everything their mother would to keep them safe and sound. Plus, some kittens might even need help to regulate their body temperature.
What’s better, though, is if you decide to adopt not one but two kittens!
They’ll keep each other company, which is especially important if you’re not home for long hours. Read up on the pros and cons of getting two kittens to decide for yourself if you can handle the responsibility.
#2 Be Gentle
Gentleness breeds gentleness. Your new kitten needs a reason to trust you. Because, come on, from a cat’s perspective, everything essentially belongs to them. So, they’re not wondering how they can learn to co-exist with you. What they’re really wondering is why the hell you’re always around! Hence, you must earn their affection.
Talk softly and pet your kitten frequently- but only if they let you! Mind you, the one thing cats hate in the whole entire world is a human that just doesn’t take a hint. Or maybe they do enjoy the extra attention, who knows.
However, the only thing we know for sure is forcing your cat will get you nowhere. Cats don’t take orders– that’s your job. So, just make your kitty thinks you’re gentle so they can trust you enough to let you get close.
#3 Reward Good Behaviour
There are no naughty kittens- just kittens that have different tastes. Cats don’t think of you as their superiors, so according to them, you really have no right to yell at them- and you really shouldn’t!
Even if your kitten is a bit problematic, as all kittens can be from time to time, you should simply redirect their attention. Plus, it’s always a good idea to reward a well-behaved kitty to encourage positive behavior. But also, don’t give too many treats at once.
Overall, the most effective way to bond with your kitten is through- you guessed it- treats! Hence, make sure to provide loads of toys, treats, and catnip so your kitty feels at home. If your kitty starts trusting you, they’ll let you hang around and pet them, at least every once in a while.
#4 Handle Them Frequently
Kittens at like 8 weeks of age are ready to be handled and cuddled- and it’s always best to start early on. This is when your kitty is starting to develop a personality of its own, so if you want to know how to raise a kitten to be cuddly- the answer lies in cuddling them as much as you can.
Scoop up your furbabies when they’re young, and they’ll get used to it by the time they’re older. Obviously, though, this warrants developing a bond with your kitty beforehand. You can check our guide to bonding with kittens here as well.
If a kitten is shying away from your touch, it probably doesn’t know you well enough. And if your kitten squirms to get away from your grip, it’s probably not used to being handled that way. Therefore, make sure to give your kitty loads of cuddles when they’re young, and they definitely won’t mind it when they’re older.
#5 Play With Them
Kitties love playtime, so if they learn to associate you with good things like their favorite toys, they will be able to understand that you mean no harm. Thus, make sure to be around for your kitten for playtime. In fact, make it a point to play with them for at least 10-15 minutes a few times a day. This will also give them some much-needed exercise, so they stay healthy.
Other than that, give them signals like the “slow blink” to tell them you love them. Let them do as they please, and of course, make all necessary accommodations to keep your kitty confident. A confident kitty will likely be more cuddly than a timid kitty because the latter is not sure of its surroundings.
Ultimately, it is most important to get on your kittens’ good side by playing with them frequently so that they know you have good intentions. If you take the time to befriend your cat, we guarantee it will be worth it!
#6 Meet Their Needs
A confident, happy, and healthy kitty is more likely to be cuddly, so if you’re asking how to raise a kitten to be cuddly, you should really be asking how to raise a kitten to be happy and healthy.
For example, most cats don’t want their food and water bowls to be close together. And they also don’t want them anywhere near their litter box. Moreover, they prefer certain types of litters as well as boxes, and won’t even use it if it’s too full. Depending on your cat’s temperament, you need to make sure they are well-cared for.
Obviously, this also mandates giving them at least a certain level of freedom. Let them be instinctive. Cats don’t like to be told what to do. Think of them as mini teenagers, they depend on you, but they like to think they are independent. So, just let them do their own thing, and they will eventually warm up to you.
#7 Establish Rituals
Cats love traditions! So, if you establish your thing and do it every day, we assure you your cat loves it a lot more than they let on. Whether it’s you opening the windows every morning or greeting your cat in a particular way, or just playing at a specific time daily- set a special thing for you guys to do, and your cat will love you for it!
#8 Wait For The Winters
If all else fails, we suggest waiting for the winters to cuddle with your cat. Contrary to what you might think, cats get cold too. Hence, they are more likely to cuddle when it’s colder outside. In fact, even the grumpiest of cats might succumb to your cuddle calls if they’re feeling a little chilly- so long as they know and trust you, of course.
How To Raise A Kitten To Be Cuddly FAQs
How To Tell If A Kitten Is Going To Be A Lap Cat?
How to tell if a kitten is going to be a lap cat includes considering its age, gender, past history, and of course, personal temperament. And while the answer might not be as black and white as you like, the good thing is that cats can be trained, so it’s all good.
If your kitten is curious, confident, and not hissy or shy, you can probably expect them to be more receptive to cuddles. But if your cat doesn’t like to be handled, they won’t like to be cuddled either, though of course, you can change that by giving them some much-needed love and attention.
Also, if your cat has suffered trauma as in the case of rescued kittens, you might have to put in a little more effort to make them cuddly.
Try testing their temperament by picking them by the scruff of their neck, and if they wiggle a bit but calm down, they’ll probably turn out to be lap cats. However, if they’re more on the aggressive side, they likely won’t be too into cuddles.
Do Kittens Get More Affectionate As They Get Older?
Over time, your cat will, hopefully, become your best friend. And as they get used to you, they will steadily become more comfortable around you.
This obviously directly depends on how you treat them but generally if their needs are met, they should be fine.
So, do kittens get more affectionate as they get older?
Yes, because they now trust you and maybe even love you- yes,
cats can actually grow to love humans.
And while this might not be true for all cats, most kittens will get more affectionate as they get older because they are no longer afraid. If they are well-adjusted, they will be open to both giving and receiving affection.
How To Pick A Cuddly Kitten?
If you want to know how to pick a cuddly kitten, you should know that kittens have very unique personalities. Generally, kittens that are more playful and confident will grow up to be more affectionate later in life, but still, there really is no guarantee.
The good thing, though, is that kittens are just beginning to find their personalities. And if they’re used to being handled from a young age, they won’t mind it later on either.
As for gender, most people believe that male kitties are more affectionate, but really it comes down to personality.
So, when adopting a cat, you want to look for one that is happy, healthy, and receptive to your touch. And hopefully, once your kitty is well-adjusted in their new home, they’ll be open to lots and lots of cuddles!
What Are Some Affectionate Kitten Breeds?
Yes, some cats are inherently more cuddly than others, so if you want to raise a cat to be cuddly, it helps to pick an affectionate kitten breed in the first place.
And guess what?
We searched the web for the most affectionate kitten breeds, so you don’t have to!
Here are our top most affectionate kitten breeds:
Ragdolls
Siamese
Maine Coon
Scottish Folds
Persians
Birmans
Tonkinese
Russian Blues
Bombay
Sphynx
Abyssinian
Devon Rex
Domestic Shorthair
Burmese
Siberian
Ragamuffin
The Bottomline
If you want to know how to raise a kitten to be cuddly, you should know that some cats are just not cuddly. Some affectionate kitten breeds like Persians or Ragdolls might be your best choice when adopting a kitten if you want them to be cuddly when they grow up. When asking how to tell if a kitten is going to be a lap cat, you should know that many factors need to be considered. Also, some kittens do get more affectionate as they get older because they know they can trust you, and thus, are more receptive to your touch.
Still, if you want a cuddly kitten, you should try to pick a cuddly kitty, to begin with. Give them lots of love and cuddles, and they’ll be just fine.
Writers’s Bio:
This article was written by freelance writer Summaya Lucman
Summaya is a science major with a passion for reading and writing. Being a cat mom and ailurophile herself, she knows what it takes to raise a kitty kid, and wants to help other pet parents make the right choices when it comes to their beloved companion animals.
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