he likes being around the family he sleeps next to us he purrs all the time but will not stay still if you pick him up.
2006-10-10 05:10:51 · 20 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
In some cats it is a fear of falling, but most times it is because they are extremely clostrophbic When held they feel they do not have control of the situation.
2006-10-10 05:13:10 · answer #1 · answered by Jennifer R 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As a life-long cat owner, I've found that this is just one of those "things" that makes each individual cat unique. Some love to be held, some don't. One thing I will suggest, however, is that you try a different method of picking up your cat and see if it doesn't mind being held in a different manner. There are basically two ways to hold a cat. 1) Cradle the baby & 2) Burp the baby. :-) In the 1st method, you cradle the cat in both arms with it's belly exposed. In the 2nd method you pick up the cat and rest it on your shoulder as you would when you burp a baby. In other words, the cat's forelegs are resting on your shoulder while you support the hind legs in your hands.
The "burb the baby" method is actually better tolerated by most cats because they are in a much less vulnerable position and can see what's going on around them. Also they are high off the ground which most cats generally like. The "cradle the baby" method puts a cat in a very submissive and vulnerable position (belly up) and it's view is hindered because it can only see what's above, not below, infront or behind. See the difference? Try out both methods and see if that does the trick for getting your cat used to being held. Good luck.
2006-10-10 12:25:26 · answer #2 · answered by Alleycat 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Some cats are just like that. I have had a lot of cats in my time and there are just some that are very affectionate but just do not like being picked up. It is a personal preference for them. I can't say that I blame them. I doubt I would like to be picked up and get manhandled...
I have one cat in the family now that is exactly the same. Nothing to worry about.
2006-10-10 12:32:35 · answer #3 · answered by Kamunyak 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have three female cats and they all don't like to be picked up. I think it might have to do with the fact that I didn't pick them up that much while they were kittens, I mostly wanted them to be comfotable and I let them do whatever they wanted and now they are spoiled. One of my cats doesn't even like me to pet her unless it's on her terms. And the only time she likes to snuggle is when she is cold. LOL.. but I love all my cats and although I do wish I could hold them, i'm just happy that they are happy. If your cat doesn't like to be picked up, she probably wont change now, but if you ever get another kitten maybe try to pick her/him up a lot.
Also I have noticed that Male cats/kittens are much more friendly and they like to snuggle a lot. One kitten that I had for a while (before giving him to a good home), would sit in my lap any time I sat down and he would follow me around the house. He purred so loud and would love to be held like a baby. It was so so cute.
Oh yeah and my friend has one of my cat's sister cat, and she would hold and play with her cat a lot while it was a kitten, even if the kitten didn;t like it and now the cat is ok with begin held.
I guess it depends on both the cat's temperment and the environment that the cat is brought up in ...
:) hope this helps
2006-10-10 12:24:34 · answer #4 · answered by brokenbutterfly 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My cats are like that too, don't want to be held. My oldest cat is the worst, it is especially bad if you walk and hold her at the same time. I adopted her when she was 2 years old. I have always wondered if she didn't like to be held because maybe she was dropped when she was a kitten. The other two aren't crazy about being held, but they tolerate it much better and for longer periods of time.
2006-10-10 21:06:17 · answer #5 · answered by silversaturngirl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's just a character trait. I have four cats. 2 love to be picked up and held. The other 2 will scratch the heck out of you if you pick them up. Some cats just don't like to be picked up.
But... remember when picking up a cat to support their hind legs with your arm. Cats don't like dangling in the air at all. Try holding him like a baby and then try holding him in both arms (make sure you support the rear legs). If these don't work... Unfortunately he doesn't like it.
2006-10-10 12:16:36 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
My cat doesn't like to be picked up either...but other then that he is very friendly. He just gets nervous when he is picked up...you would think he would get nervous while laying in the middle of the street with a car coming but no...he just lays there.
2006-10-10 12:13:13 · answer #7 · answered by Moosha 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We had a cat just like the one you describe for 9 years. She just didn't like to be picked up, except if we picked her up and immediately turned her over with her belly up she would stay for just a few seconds.
Might try to do this.
2006-10-10 12:13:41 · answer #8 · answered by Hedicat 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most of my cats do not like being picked up and held. My 31/2 year old grandaughter spent the weekend out here recently. she found one cat that would let her carry it around all the time. After a few hours it finally started trying to run away.
I tried to explain to her that she wouldn't like it if I kept her in my lap and wouldn't let her play. Of course she didn't understand. But, cats love you and want to love you in their own time. They don't want to be made to love you. Most cats will come to you to be loved if you'll just ignore them.
But, if you try to keep them on your lap, they go balistic. they know what they want and it's definitely not what you want. Let the cat do what it wants and you'll be ok.
2006-10-11 00:21:40 · answer #9 · answered by Karen H 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have 3 cats. One of them is exactly like your cat. Some cats are just not pick me up cats, that all.
2006-10-10 15:34:35 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋