I adopted a two year old cat last year. we have bonded quite well during the last year. The only problem is that he wont let me hold him. I know the proper way to hold a cat (supporting it by the hind legs,etc) but my cat always squirms whenever I him hold him or try to pick him up. Any suggestions out there?
2007-12-30 17:32:01 · 20 answers · asked by Milton K 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
Most cats HATE being held for any period of time.
Don't be offended .. it's just the way cats are.
2007-12-30 20:14:23 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I also adopted a 2 year old cat a couple of years ago. She had been raised at PAWS and not around people much. She is very loving and affectionate but also will not let me pick her up and hold her. She gets on my lap and sleeps against me but just does not like to held in my arms. I have simply accepted that this is her way. Cats certainly do things their own way! Good luck!
2007-12-31 01:41:25 · answer #2 · answered by Joy S 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Some cats just do not like being picked up and carried. Some of this is probably due to someone (a jerk) picking up the cat and throwing it at some point and they now associate being grabbed with a bad experience.
You can turn it into a pleasant experience with some patience. When you pick up the cat, make a big deal out of it. Talk nice to the cat, pet it or scratch it under then chin. Things like that. As you do this more frequently, he will begin to accept being picked up or held.
2007-12-31 02:04:15 · answer #3 · answered by theshadowknows 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I try to cradle my cat in my arms like a baby. She humors me for a few seconds and then starts to squirm and stick her feet in my face. She seems to think that me holding her = something unpleasant like flea treatments or getting put in the carrier for a trip to the vet, even though those things happen only once in a great while! Some cats just aren't into touching like other cats are. The cat is really in charge in these situations. You may never have a cuddly relationship with him, but it will still be rewarding in other ways. Who knows, maybe someday he will have a change of heart and let you snuggle him. Good Luck! >^.^<
2007-12-31 01:48:07 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
We have had our cat since she was a kitten. As a kitten she loved to be held and would sit in laps and on shoulders and loved to ride in the car.
As an adult cat she hates all of the above especially to be held and petted, although will allow petting if she stands on your lap -- not sits -- stands!
A few months ago my brother was visiting and the cat came to inspect him. He leaned over and picked the cat up and held her and petted her and the cat LOVED it! We were all floored! Then we realized he was holding her facing the opposite way we all do! She likes facing one way and not the other!
These days anyone can pick her up and pet her if they know to hold her the correct direction! Who knew the cat was left handed! She wants her left paw free!
2007-12-31 02:47:17 · answer #5 · answered by HaleBoP 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some of us don't like to be held. I get held against my will a lot of the time and try to squirm my way out of it. People think I'm cute and try to pet me. They play with my claws. They don't know what's coming if I get mad. Sometimes, I just scratch up someone for fun after being pet. I like to fight when I'm happy or just for the heck of it, not that I've ever taken an eye out or anything. It marks my property so that other cats know what's mine.
2007-12-31 02:45:49 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I am definately a cat person. We have three inside cats and several outside. My cat, OZ, is a minx who chose me. He was supposed to be my wife's cat, but he has chosen me as his pet. I talk to him, ask him questions, and listen to his responses. He gets mad if I don't spend enough time with him and then he demands my attention no matter what I am doing.
Maybe your cat just doesn't like being held. And the more you force him, the less he is going to like it. Meet him on his level and just spend time with him. Don't do things he doesn't like. Just be happy that he spends time with you and let him bond with you in his own way. Our cats don't really like my two sons but ever so often they will on their own just crawl up into my sons' laps. Don't force the issue of holding him.
2007-12-31 01:45:52 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some cats don't like to be held. My cat is very loving, but he does not like to be picked up and he'll want down after just a few seconds.
2007-12-31 01:50:43 · answer #8 · answered by Little Red Hen 2.0 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The correct way to hold a cat is by the scruff of his neck,sort of like how his mother held him when he was a kitten.BUT, it has to be done correctly or you may just make him uncomfortable.Held by the scruff,they just go a little limp and you can easily carry them from one place to another, but cuddling them is a different matter.My cats would just curl up in my lap when I was reading or watching TV.Btw,a full grown cat who's not used to being held won't be really big on the idea at age 2,start slowly and give him time to adjust to all that cuddling,he's sure to love it eventually,especially since he already likes you. Kisses to the cat xoxoxo.
2007-12-31 01:41:20 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Some adult cats are not fond of being picked up. Mine is in that category.
When I have to pick her up (I only do it if I absolutely have to. She's truly terrified of not having her feet touch the ground.) I just pick her up around the chest and hold her close to me.
2007-12-31 01:38:44 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My cat is the same way. she doesn't like to be picked up or held. It has to be on her terms only. she will jump up and sit on us and sleep. but she has to do it. if we pick her up she will jump down and leave.
She was the same way when we adopted her from the pound as well and that just the way she is. I just try to convince her that she wants to be held. It doesnt work though.
2007-12-31 01:38:02 · answer #11 · answered by Addicted2Taz 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋