Do you know why your cat doesn’t like to be held? If not, you’re in for a treat!
In this full blog post, we’ll be discussing the reasons why some cats hate being held and what you can do to change their minds.
From feline aggression to being scared of humans, there are a few key reasons why your cat may not enjoy being held.
We’ll also provide some tips on how to get your cat to enjoy being held and some advice on how to deal with feline aggression when it occurs.
So read on and learn about the many reasons why your cat may not want to be held!
The Reasons Why Some Cats Don’t Like To Be Held
If your cat hates being held, there are a number of reasons and explanations why. Let’s take a look in more detail below.
Your Cat Was Never Socialized
Cats are social animals and need positive socialization from a young age in order to develop properly.
Some cats were never socialized and lack of socialization means a feline doesn’t understand the concept of being held. This can lead to problems when they are an adult cat.
Kittens who were born without human caregivers around or if they were abused as kittens are more likely to be non-socialized, as is a cat who was reared by someone who wasn’t responsible for their socialization (for example, an alcoholic or drug addict).
These cats usually become timid, distrustful, scared or aggressive.
A properly-socialized cat is more likely to be loving and trusting, which increases the chances of them allowing you to hold them.
They Have Experienced Some Kind Of Trauma
When cats are scared of people, it can be difficult to get them to trust you again.
This is because they may of had a negative experience or experienced some kind of trauma in the past which has made them afraid of humans.
To help your cat overcome this fear, it is important to take small steps and build trust slowly. Gradually expose her to people and things she’s normally anxious about.
For example, start by sitting close to your cat during meals or playing with her when she’s calm and relaxed outside the shelter/home environment.
If you do this gradually over time, you will build a stronger bond and your cat will eventually start trusting you again.
Your Cat Could Be Sick Or Injured
If you notice that your cat is refusing to be held, this behavior may be being caused by either sickness or pain from an injury.
Picking up a cat if they are in pain is obviously going to hurt and distress them.
If you feel that your cat is is either injured or sick, it’s best to to book them in with a veterinarian to be on the safe side.
It’s Not In A Cats Nature
Cats are independent creatures who don’t like being dependent on humans. Forcing a cat into a clingy position can feel like punishment to them, making them reluctant to be held.
Some cats might be shy or scared of people and may see your efforts to hold him as an attack instead of cuddling as desired.
If you have an active cat who loves being around people, it might not be the right thing for you to do to force him into a position where they feels uncomfortable or restrained!
Your Cat Is Scared
If you have a cat, you know that they love being in control of their surroundings. When your cat feels like it is losing control, this can lead to fear and anxiety.
If one of your cats shows signs of being scared or anxious, there are various things you can do to help them feel better.
Some cats might not mind if someone gently holds them while others might require more gentle movements initially.
Once the cat gets used to being held, it will likely enjoy the experience immensely!
Certain Breeds Do Not Like Being Picked Up
Some cat breeds love being picked up, and these are generally the breeds that are most affectionate. A few examples of this are:
- Ragdolls
- Siamese
- Maine Coon
- Scottish Fold
- Persian
- Birmese
Always remember that all cats are unique. You may even get a breed that is known for being affectionate, but will not allow you to pick them, and vice versa.
It all depends on the individual personality of the cat.
Your Cat Feels Disrespected
Some cats feel disrespected when you don’t let them climb high up places.
The reason for this is because they like to venture up to high places at their own free will.
Physically picking them up and placing them on a high surface may cause them to become stressed.
If this behavior looks familiar, don’t put your cat under any unnecessary stress, and just allow them to climb on their own terms.
How To Train A Cat To Be Picked Up
Are you having trouble picking up your cat? Maybe she’s just not feeling it that day.
Regardless of the reason, you may be wondering how to pick up a cat that doesn’t want to be picked up.
Most cats hate being picked up, which can make it difficult to take them to the vet, groomer or other appointments.
However, with a little training, your cat may start enjoying being held.
1. Make Your Cat Feel Comfortable Around You
One of the best ways to win over a cat is by slowly gaining their trust. Start by making sure they are used to being petted.
Cats have favorite spots where they like to be petted such as the head, chin and neck.
When talking to your cat, always use a calm and relaxing tone in your voice.
The key is patience! It can take a long time to build a strong bond with your cat. The length of time will depend on a number of different factors.
Over time, you will be able to build up a trusting relationship that will make cat-keeping much easier!
2. Be Calm And Relaxed
When there’s an issue with one of your cats, the last thing you want to do is get worked up. It only serves to aggravate the situation and make things worse.
So before anything else, try and remain calm yourself!
Start by maintaining positive body language – keep your hands and arms relaxed, avoid physical force, and speak in a gentle voice.
3. Approach Your Cat Slowly
It’s always important to approach your cat slowly and cautiously. Start by approaching from the front, and make sure you move in a slow manner.
Avoid any sudden or aggressive movements – this will only scare your cat even more. If all goes well, you can eventually try petting her/him.
4. Give Control To Your Cat
When it comes to handling cats, always give them a sense of control by letting them take the initiative.
For example, let them cuddle close if they want to be picked up and hold them from the front rather than from behind.
Pay attention to their body language and look out for any signs of stress or anxiety.
5. Slow And Steady Steps
After being patient for so long and building a great bond with your cat, the last thing you want to do is go backwards a step or two.
Once you have reached the stage of holding your cat, here are some tips to follow.
1. Start slowly by holding your cat for only a few minutes at first.
2. gradually increase the amount of time you hold them as they get used to it and get used to being picked up.
3. Over time, cats will become accustomed to being held and even cuddled – making them much more affectionate!
Associate Being Picked Up With Food
Many people choose to teach their cats how to enjoy being held and cuddled. However, this process can be a bit more challenging than one might think!
One way of achieving success is by creating a positive experience by teaching your cat to associate being picked up with food.
Start by feeding them treats or snacks in a place where you will be picking them up later on.
Over time, they’ll learn that it’s something positive! Be patient and consistent with this and you will eventually reach the point of being able to hold your cat.
Conclusion
Now that you know the reasons behind your cat’s weird behavior, you can be more patient and understanding when it comes to holding her.
But don’t lose hope just yet. There are solutions, such as giving her treats when she is calm or adjusted around other people and objects.
However, these solutions won’t work if your cat hates being held due to issues like fear or a past trauma.
In this case, it might be best to train your kitty in how to interact safely with humans and become comfortable with them again.
If you consistently show them affection, they will eventually begin to trust again.
