If your cat does not like to cuddle, this post will show you a number of possible reasons why and what you can do about it.
So, why does my cat not like to cuddle? The most likely reason why your cat does not like to cuddle is that it didn’t socialize with humans as a kitten or that it is naturally timid.
Your cat might not want to cuddle for a number of different reasons and it might be due to a combination of them. However, there are some things you can consider when figuring out the main cause and there are some things you can do about it.
Why doesn’t me cat cuddle me?
Below are a number of possible causes and what would make each of them more likely.
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.
If kittens do not socialize much with humans during the first 3 months after being born, it will usually result in them being fearful of humans. If your cat has always not wanted to cuddle with you and it is naturally skittish, the cause could be that it did not interact with people much as a kitten.
Previous experiences
Another possible cause is that your cat had a bad experience when interacting with people and it has caused it to become less comfortable around them. This would be more likely if your cat did cuddle you, in the past, but it suddenly stopped after a traumatic event.
Nature
It is not uncommon for cats to be naturally fearful of humans. If your cat has always not wanted to cuddle with you but it does not behave unusually in other ways, it would likely be the case that your cat does not like to cuddle naturally.
Injury
Another possible cause is that your cat has gotten an injury. This would be more likely if your cat has stopped wanting to cuddle suddenly and if it has been showing other signs of being injured such as not walking like normal or not letting you touch it. In this case, the best option would be to take it for a checkup with the vet.
Intimidation
Another possible cause is that something has been intimidating it. This would be more likely if your cat is willing to cuddle sometimes but it does not do it in situations such as when there are people or other animals around.
Things to consider
Below are some things to consider when figuring out the main reason why your cat has been doing it.
If your cat has always avoided cuddling
If your cat has not always avoiding cuddling, it would help to consider what else happened when your cat first started doing it. If it started doing it suddenly, it could be due to things such as getting injured, a change in its environment, or someone or something mistreating it.
What is different when your cat does cuddle
If your cat does cuddle sometimes, it would also help to consider what is different when it does cuddle. For example, if it does do it when it is alone with you, it might be the case that it tries to avoid other people or animals.
Not cuddling does not mean that it does not like you
It is not uncommon for cats to not want to cuddle. If your cat does not cuddle with you, it does not mean that your cat does not like you. It could be the case that your cat does show it likes you in other ways such as by letting you pet it or by following you.
What to do about your cat not wanting to cuddle
Below are some options you have when dealing with the behavior.
Reward it for cuddling
It would help to give your cat rewards, such as treats, whenever it does cuddle, show affection or let you pet it. By doing so, it should help to teach your cat that interacting with you results in it getting rewards.
Don’t force it
If your cat does not want to cuddle, it would likely make it worse if you try to force it to cuddle you. Instead, it would help to gradually encourage it to cuddle you by rewarding it when it does interact with you.
Be calm with it
If you are often loud around your cat, it might be causing it to get intimidated. Instead, it would help to interact with it calmly.
Why does my cat follow me but not cuddle?
If your cat follows you but won’t cuddle, it would be likely that your cat naturally does not like cuddling which is not unusual in cats. In this case, it could help to reward it whenever it does show signs of interacting with you.