Cat doesn't want affection?

Question

I recently recieved a seven week old kitten, I have had her about a week now, when I went to pick her out she was the calmest one there, who loved to be held and petted. About two days after we brought her home she didn't want to be held at all, now she won't even let me hold her for more than 30 seconds, and she is always either hyper or sleeping, and always wants to play, so will she grow out of it? or will she always be hyper?

Answer 1

You have to understand that cats are not like dogs. Dogs have 'masters' while cats have 'staff'.

Cats sometimes don't like to be held unless it's THEIR idea. And if you force a cat to sit in your lap, or hold them while they struggle to be let down, you will guarantee that they will never like to be held.

Talk to your cat often. They like the sound of your voice, and they like to be acknowledged. They like to be respected, too. They will want to be around you more, when you love them on THEIR terms. Sometimes they want love and to be petted, but sometimes they just want to be acknowledged or talked to.

Kitties grow out of their constant hyper stage as they age. After that, they have hyper 'moments' (sometimes in the middle of the night, or at other inconvenient times). For the most part, they will adjust their schedule to yours, if you treat them with dignity and respect. As adults, they tend to 'supervise' or 'micromanage' whatever you are doing.....

Whatever the case, be the person your cat would want you to be. I know that if I were a cat, I would love to have me as a cat owner.

Answer 2

She is a kitten, and all cats or kittens are very independant. They let their owners know when they want to be loved and cuddles. I would guess after two days she realized this was her new home and there was nothing to fear. Cats are also known to be nocturnal, so she will sleep a lot during the day, but when it gets to be later or more into the evening she will be a little wild. Make sure you have a lot of toys and things for her to scratch on, unless you want your furniture destroyed. Let her come to you for interactive play, make sure you always call her by name, and do pay attention to her, but try to understand, most cats, rule their owners.

I listed quite a few links below for you so you can gather a lot of information. The second one is supposed to have links to free stuff for you kitten, as should the Purina site. The first site lists a lot of information regarding to toxic plants to cats, and other information that I believe will be helpful to you. Good luck!!!

Answer 3

I'm not sure why you wanted an animal if you expect it to act exactly how you want it to when you want it to. The cat has to have time to adjust to its new home. Also kittens like to play. It is a kitten. Some cats are finicky and don't want to be held ever. Some love to be held. Again they are cats. Usually kittens will settle down as they get older but not always. Why don't you try to play games with her, Get some string and let her chase it or get her some kitty toys to play with. They need stimulation too. But remember not all kittens grow up to be cuddly cats. Maybe you should think about getting a small dog. Good Luck

Answer 4

Give it time. It took a few months of holding my one cat before she got used to it. Even then she will want to get down after a minute or two. My other cat loves being picked up from the day I brought him home from the shelter. As far as being hyper, just give it time as well. When you get them "fixed" they tend to settle a little bit. Also most cats that I've had over the years calmed down a bit at about one year old. Good luck and be patient.

Answer 5

Probably will grow out of it. You phrased your question in an interesting way. The fact that she wants to play means she does want affection and playing with her is a way to show affection. She is still very young. You'll start to see some changes in her personality at about 1 year. Many cats do not like to be held, but almost all of them like to be petted.

Answer 6

I think she's normal. She is exploring her new environment. She does let you hold her a bit. Talk baby talk to her and rub the top of her head and tell her how much you love her when you are holding her.When she wants down, let her go and play with her. Like a child, she has a short attention span, which will get longer. One more thing, after you brought her home, did you recently change detergents/hand lotions/perfume? Cats can smell better than we can.

Answer 7

This is normal, as she adjusts to her new environment she will come to you. I adopted 8week old kittens this very weekend, and at first all they did was hide. After two days they began running about and playing, but still they kept their distance from me. Last night as I was sitting combing my hair they took a break from playing to watch me, approach me and sit with me.

It will take a cat or kitten up to two weeks to adjust to a new environment. The first thing they do is explore every inch of their home, once they do that they start to get to know the people in that environment. So just be patient.

Answer 8

She may never be a cuddle cat. I've had my cat for 9 years and she doesn't like to be held. She will snuggle up with me when she wants to, but I've never had an animal more devoted to me. She follows me everywhere I go, sleeps with me, and checks on me through out the day.
Cats are independant and have their own personality. You just have to figure out your cats personality and let it love you in its own way. As to the hyper: my cat still takes spells where she goes crazy and runs around the house like she was a kitten.
Just keep in mind she isn't your cat, you're her person.

Answer 9

Kittens have 2 speeds - on & off! That's it. Yes, they do grow out of it, but you have some "mothering" to do to get there. Your kitten is only 7 weeks old. Ideally, kittens should be with their mothers for 12 full weeks. That's how long it takes for a mother cat to fully wean her litter, teach them important hunting and grooming skills and most importantly how to become well behaved adult cats. You need to bond with your kitten but also recognize that it's just a baby and at this age, it would be rough housing with it's littermates non-stop. Kitten play is a very important part of a cats development. Because your kitten no longer has her siblings to play with, you need to be a substitute. Get lots of toys for her. LOTS. And get ones that are interactive so you and she can play together. It will help you bond with her. It's also important to play with her so that she can learn to recognize when it's okay to play and when it not. Also she need to learn what are acceptable toys and what are not. Hands & feet are not toys, curtains & venetian blinds are not toys, and neither is your furniture. But unless you provide acceptable toys and offer times to play, your kitten will not learn. Play therapy is also a great way to tire your kitten out so she can be calm when you want her to be. When she's tired out, I promise you she will be putty in your hands. She will want to sleep and cuddle with you since you have showered her with attention and love. Good luck.

Answer 10

She may always be hyper. It is just a personality thing. There is a cat in my house who is an adult now but still plays like a little kitten. Can't pet him without getting bit and he doesn't pull his claws in when he plays. Like I said, it is just a personality thing. Love your cat anyway, she will love you in her own way.