This post will show you likely reasons why your cat has stopped being affectionate and what you can do about it.
So, why did my cat stop being affectionate? Likely reasons why your cat stopped being affectionate are that you started petting or touching it differently, intimidation, a change in its environment or injury or illness.
There are a number of possible reasons why your cat stopped being affectionate and it might be due to a combination of them. However, there are some things you can consider to help figure out the main cause and there are some things you can do about it.
Why is my cat not affectionate anymore?
Below are likely reasons why your cat stopped being affectionate and what you can do about them.
Your cat has actually become more comfortable around the home
It could be the case that your cat was initially following you around and staying near you because it felt unsafe. Your cat might have stopped doing that because it has become more comfortable around the home. This would be more likely if your cat has stopped showing signs of being anxious and it does not avoid you when you approach it.
You started petting it differently
It could be the case that there is an issue with the way you have been petting it. It could be the case that you have been petting it too strongly or you have been doing it in a way it does not like. This would be more likely if your cat does show affection sometimes but it stops when you start petting it in a certain manner.
Intimidation
It might also be the case that you have been intimidating it. You might have been intimidating it by approaching it too quickly, being too loud or aggressive around it or because you accidentally hurt it. Instead, it would help to be calm with it and to approach it slowly.
A change in its environment
The cause might also be that there has been a change in its environment. Changes could include getting another pet that intimidates it or new noises in your environment causing it to hide.
It thinks you do not want it to be affectionate
It might also be the case that it thinks you do not want it to be affectionate. This would be more likely if it has stopped being affectionate since you stopped giving it as much attention yourself or since you started moving it away when it came near to you.
Injury or illness
It might also be the case that it has gotten an injury or illness. This would be more likely if it stopped showing affection suddenly and if it has been showing other signs of injury or illness such as not moving around as much or vomiting a lot. If it seems like injury or illness might be the cause, the best option would be to take it to a vet.
Things to consider
Below are things to consider when figuring out the main cause.
What else happened when it stopped being affectionate
If your cat stopped being affectionate suddenly, it would help to consider what else happened when it stopped being affectionate. If it stopped suddenly, it might be due to things such as you moving away when it showed you affection, intimidation or injury or illness.
It might be showing affection without you realizing
It is also important to consider that cats can show affection in many ways and it might be the case that your cat has been being affectionate but you haven’t been noticing it.
Ways that your cat might actually be showing affection towards you could include:
- “Nosing” you which is where it touches you with its nose and smells you
- Putting itself into vulnerable positions when it is around you
- Licking you
- Leaning on you
- Bringing things to you
- Following you around
What to do about your cat not being affectionate anymore
Below are some options you have when dealing with the behavior.
Pet it differently
As mentioned above, it might be the case that there is an issue with the way you have been interacting with it. Instead, it would help to pet it in a way that it seems to like and to be calm around it. Usually, cats prefer to be rubbed below the chin instead of having a full back rub.
Show more affection to it yourself
It might be the case that your cat thinks you do not want it to show affection towards you. To fix this, it would help to show your cat affection throughout the day by petting it and playing with it.