Kitten Sensitive to touch?

Question

I just adopted 2 kittens that were rescued. they are about 6-8 weeks old. One of them doesn't seem to like to be petted and almost acts like he is sensitive to the touch and he never purrs. Him and his brother play fight all the time and he loves to play with his toys is it just somthing about him not trusting me yet (I've only had him for 3 days. His brother loves to be petted and purs alot. This is my first time with kittens I think its normal since they play together but just wonder if it could be somthin wrong with him

Answer 1

Cats can have different personalities, even though they are from the same litter. Sounds like you got one out-going one and one shy one. The play fighting is normal and actually is the way kittens learn to play nice. Cats who are taken from the litter too soon usually end up not knowing how to play without being too rough.

Now, if you want to get the shy one to warm up to you, it is going to take some patience. Do not force yourself on the kitten. It is important that he comes to you. Cats like to be the "decider", they don't care what George Bush says he is.

A good way to do this is to lay down on the floor, near, but not right up on the cat. Speak softly to it in a sing song voice, softly. I had one that wouldn't warm up to me until I started singing softly to it. They don't care what the words are, as long as it sounds friendly. Another thing is that, if you watch cats, they will give each other long slow blinks. This means you slowly shut both your eyes, at the same time, and then slowly open them, all while speaking lovingly to the kitten.

Three day isn't very long at all. This baby has had a lot to adjust to in a big hurry. No momma, new house, etc. Just have patience. I wouldn't be surprised if he turned out to be the more affectionate adult of the two.

I always loved cats as a child, so I've spent my adult life trying to do nice things for cats. I foster abandoned and orphaned kittens for the local SPCA, I care for a feral colony that lives in our neighborhood, and I have ten house cats (big clean house, lots of room and enough money to do it right). I've had kittens that couldn't stand to be put down and grew up to be adults who would rather ignore me. By the same token, the shy ones, once they trust you, they seem to cling forever.

Answer 2

There is nothing wrong with either you or the kitten. He has only been at your house for three days, and he might be naturally wary of strangers--like a naturally shy toddler. Being a rescue, he might have had bad experiences with strangers--not necessarily abuse; probably just some kid unexpectedly picking him up or tugging his tail or something.

Your cat is simply still getting used to you, the new place, all those new smells and sights and sounds. It's pretty overwhelming for a kitten, especially one only 6-8 weeks old (which is too young to leave Momcat in the first place; but you say they're rescues, so of course they never even had the chance to stay with Mom).

Kittens are naturally playful as well; so sitting still and being held doesn't really come natural to them anyway :) The friendlier of the two brothers probably squirms away after a bit of petting.

A friendship has to be built here; he has to understand that he can trust you, and that when you're around, good things happen.

Playing with him is great. The best way to play with a skittish kitten is to use a wand-type toy, to dangle a string, or basically use anything you can use at a distance. That way, he doesn't have to get close to you if he doesn't want to.

At this young age, the kittens are just barely weaned; so treats of some sort or other should be an enticement. See if he'll drink KMR (kitten milk replacement--ask your vet) out of a dish; he's still quite young and it should be good for him. He mightn't like adult-cat treats; they're probably still too big and chewy for him; but he might go for bits of cooked chicken (no bones and no spices), some meat-flavored baby food (make sure it has no onion in it; those are bad for cats); or a bit of shredded cheese.

Be the one to feed them their kitten food. A cat often comes to trust its food source.

Talk to the kitten. Have him learn to recognize your voice... They like high-pitched voices, since those sound more like meows (trust me, you'll feel weird baby-talking to your kitten, but it seems to work).

Once he lets you touch him--which shouldn't be too long--just be gentle. Don't startle him with sudden movements or stare him straight in the face (that's rude if you're a cat). He may never be a lap cat--some cats just prefer to sit beside you--but he should learn to appreciate your touch and your company.

(Re. Purring: Some cats purr so softly that you can only feel it, not hear it. Maybe yours is one of these.)

So, in short:
--Play
--Treats
--Talking
--Non-threatening Approach

And, anyway, cats know when you like them; and you like your cat, so he'll figure it out eventually.

Answer 3

Another technique for getting a kitten used to human touch is to wrap a soft towel around his body, hold him in your lap and work gently on his ears and under his chin while talking soothingly to him. Take your time with it and be patient. Try not to force your attentions on him too much. He will come around.

He sounds like a happy kitten, playing with his brother and enjoying his new home so you must be doing a lot of things right.
Don't worry about it a lot. Most male cats become real love bugs when neutered and a little older.

Answer 4

He was rescued or a stray.

He either was abused or feral (lacking human contact or not haveing any physical contact before being rescued).

He needs time to adjust and needs to know your safe and relate you to the positive, you might try forceing him into being carried around, massaged, petted and cuddled,.. then give him a treat afterward and try massageing behind his tail (on top of his but, oposite side of tail hole). He will be upset but get him use to it. Don't grab him by the neck or touch the back of his neck during any of this if posible. People will be mad at me but this is how things work out.

My female cat was screwed up in the head by her breeder/handler. She has been the most difficult animal I have dealt with,.. I even befriened fereal birds, cats, dogs, fish,.. I guess it's a long list. But she had her very messed up,.. I finally decided to teach her her fears were not going to kill her because I was safe and made things safe.

P.S. Bribery is loved by cats. Try to hand feed torn up tiny bits of Deli Meats or meat like good steak and chicken cut into tiny pieces or shreded. ; 3
They will learn you are the provider of food and later other things. Some times pet with one hand while feeding with the other. If you can't get them to take from your hand, hold your hand flat palm up with meat in palm or if that doesn't work place a piece on the carpet with your your finger on each side (the meat is between your finger tips on the carpet and your finger tips are touching the carpet).

Answer 5

I dont think he is sensitive to touch it sounds like maybe he is just not yet used to human contact like his playmate is. Maybe he wasnt handled as much as his playmate so he needs more time to get used to human contact. I would give him some time and if he doesnt warm up to you take it to the vet and have test done.

Answer 6

every cat has a diffrent personality he may not trust you yet but give him time after a certain age if they are not interacted with humans they tend to not like humans to touch them so he may be past the age im not sure though

Answer 7

No he's just touchy, I have four kittens, and one of them don't like being touched, she kinda backs away or hunkers down when I pet her.

Answer 8

Well my dad has a cat like that. she was beaten when she was young, maybe he was hit a few times to many or something, or stepped on. sometimes kittens are born tempermental.

Answer 9

Cats head butt, rub noses and rub their faces on yours and kiss in the journey that they offer concept to you their man or woman. There are heady scent glands on their faces and they placed their heady scent on you "claiming you". The nostril aspect is a greeting. Like "hi How are you?" obviously she considers you hers and also you're very fortunate. that form of relatiionship is amazingly particular. relish!

Answer 10

Put them on your lap and give them a treat. Then stroke it. Give it a treat. Keep giving them treats whenever they let you stroke you.