MY CAT IS NOT AFFECTIONATE ANYMORE: HOW TO RESOLVE IT

My cat is not affectionate anymore; should I be worried? Cats owners may think they did something wrong to cause their cats to be less loving. Is there a reason for a cat to behave different than usual?

Cats can show less affection because they are just going through a period, they are sick, there is a change in the environment, or they had a recent bad experience that makes them afraid. Some cats show less love if they become stressed about something.

Let’s see what we can do about it.

MY CAT IS NOT AFFECTIONATE ANYMORE; IS THAT NORMAL?

It is impossible for a cat, dog, or any other living being to go through life without changing behavior in time. Experience, personalities, knowledge, training, and environment all form the character of our loved pets.

Cats go through periods. They will change even how they behave with us, not necessarily because they do not love us anymore. At times, they show their love for us in different ways.

You have to observe your cat, see what he is doing, and why he has changed.

For example, a kitten goes through a crazy time when he is running, jumping, chewing, and cuddling. A grown-up cat can start to become more independent and reserved, going from periods when he is cuddling more and times when he doesn’t even bother to come near.

Cats have their personalities, which makes those periods manifest with different degrees of affection toward us.

In Summary:

• Cats go through periods where they manifest more or less affection
• Cats have their own personalities that make them more or less affectionate
• Cats are not showing the same level of affection every moment of their lives

REASONS FOR CATS CHANGING THEIR AFFECTION LEVEL AND BEHAVIOR

Now, we have established that cats can go through periods and that their level of affection for us can change with time. It could be that now they are very cuddly; next month, they do not look at us, and later they return to being a cuddly ball.

Besides their normal shifts in behavior, are there reasons that can make cats less affectionate toward us?

There can be environmental factors and other factors that can decrease affection in our cats.

Here are some common reasons that can make our cats less affectionate:

1. STRESS

Sometimes cats become stressed and go into hiding or decide to keep their distance from us and everyone in the house. Stress is caused in cats by changes. Cats like to have stable routines and get used to their family members.

They trust certain people to roam in the house; they know the smells and have their usual places to spend their time.

If anything changes, if a new person comes into the house, if you move with your cat to a new home, or if the furniture is moved around, your cat can become stressed. In this case, you have to try to remove any possible changes.

It could even be a new perfume, a change in soap, or shampoo. Possibly your cat doesn’t like the smell of it. You have to look hard to find what is suddenly wrong.

Cat caves ideas to help them lower their stress with a nice place where to hide:

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2. YOU PET THEM WRONGLY

Often cats come around purring, pretending we scratch them and pet them on demand. There are places that they like us to scratch and pet. Typically, those places are the same for every cat. Some cats, though, may want it done differently.

This means that you must know what cats like, observe your cat, and see his reaction when you pet him. If you know that he enjoys being touched in a certain way, do it each time he comes to you.

On the other side, if you per him wrongly, your cat may decide to come to you less often. Therefore you must know how to touch your cat.

Read also: WHERE DO CATS LIKE TO BE STROKED THE MOST? FULL GUIDE to figure this out.

3. NOT SPENDING ENOUGH TIME WITH YOUR CAT

Maybe you stopped playing with your cat or spending time with him. As a consequence, your cat may show less affection. Try to spend a bit more time with your cat and play with him.

4. YOU ARE TOO CLINGY

You have changed the way you relate to your cat. If you have become more clingy with him, if you try to pick him up more often or impose him to do things that he doesn’t want, your cat may decide to keep the distance.

Cats do not like to be forced to cuddle or go to places they do not want. Somehow, the more you keep away from them, and the more they come to you. There is no point in forcing a cat to sleep next to you. He will most probably leave the second you put him there.

The more you try to force a cat, the more you stress him, and the more he will go away and keep his distance.

5. HEALTH

A cat that is in pain or sick may decide to stay away from you. If your cat suddenly decides to stay away, observe him to see if he has anything wrong with him. It may be that he is sick and has pains. In this case, you have to bring him to the vet.

Cats who are in pain or feeling unwell may be less affectionate than usual. If you notice any other changes in your cat’s behavior, such as eating less or drinking more water, it may be worth taking them to the vet for a check-up.

6. GOING IN AND OUT OF HEAT

Cats having their periods, being in heat, or going off the heat period, can change how they behave with you and other people. Therefore, your cat may be distant from you during this time because he is searching for a cat mate.

7. A NEW PET

If you have introduced your cat to a new pet, then your cat can change his behavior. I brought home a new kitten to accompany my cat and have a playmate. He hasn’t come to cuddle for four months!

Of course, I reached my purpose. He has been playing and running and being happier, but, at the same time, he went his own way.

8. AGE

As cats age, their behavior can change. Older cats may become less active and less interested in being petted or held. This is a normal part of the aging process, and respecting your cat’s boundaries is essential.

9. PERSONALITY

Every cat has their own unique personality, and some cats are naturally less affectionate than others. It’s possible that your cat is simply becoming more independent and less interested in cuddling or being held.

10. CHANGE OF SEAONS

I know this is really weird, but you learn this only if you have a cat. Some cats do not cuddle at all during summer; maybe they come for a few scratches, but that is all. If it is hot and your cat is not cuddling, it is simply because he is too hot.

When winter comes again, your cat will resume sleeping with you and cuddling.

WHY IS MY CAT SUDDENLY AVOIDING ME?

If you have been away for a while, if there is a change in the house, or if your cat is stressed, he may ignore you.

If your cat is suddenly avoiding you, there could be a few possible reasons for this behavior:

• Fear or anxiety: Your cat may be experiencing fear or anxiety around you, which could be caused by a change in their environment, routine, or a traumatic event. This could cause them to hide or avoid you altogether.

• Medical issues: Cats may hide or avoid their owners if they are in pain or experiencing an illness. If your cat shows other signs of illness, such as lethargy, vomiting, or diarrhea, it may be time to take them to the vet.

• Changes in routine: Cats are creatures of habit and thrive on a consistent routine. If your routine has changed significantly, such as if you are spending less time at home, this could cause your cat to become anxious or avoidant.

• Negative association: If your cat associates you with a negative experience, such as being scolded or punished, they may start to avoid you altogether.

HOW TO MAKE MY CAT MORE AFFECTIONATE?

Most cat owners are wondering how to make their cats more affectionate. Cats are known to be their own masters. It is challenging to make them do anything. Therefore how to deal with them and make them become professional lap cats or cuddling cats?

While there is no guarantee that we can make cats love us on command, we can certainly act in a way to make them more affectionate.

Here is some good advice to follow:

1. SPEND TIME WITH THEM

While you should not be forcing them to do things or be too clingy, if you play with your cat, spend some time with them, maybe be present while they eat, or be in the same room, you could make your cat more affectionate.

2. USE TREATS STRATEGICALLY

When you take out treats to give to your cat, make your cat come next to you to get them, eat them from your hand, or pet him while he eats them. He will get used to you and your touch.

In this way, your cat will be more affectionate with you.

3. LEARN TO PET THEM CORRECTLY

Ok, if you want to get along with your cat, you have to know where to pet him to make him fall in love with you. Places like under the chin, behind the whiskers, on their checks, on their head, nose, and base of the tail are the best places to start from.

Read this article for a full rundown on where to pet your cat: WHERE DO CATS LIKE TO BE STROKED THE MOST? FULL GUIDE.

Cats would come back for more!

4. MAKE THEIR ENVIRONMENT SAFE

Ensure that the environment is safe and doesn’t contain too many changes, noises, and threatening elements. Try to keep your cat on a routine and ensure he is not scared of anything.

5. FOOD, WATER, OR LITTER BOX

A happy cat has good food, clean water, and a clean litter box. Lack of food, dirty water, and litter can create anxiety in your cat. Therefore it is essential to care for your cat. He will give you back all the love.

6. BE PATIENT

At times, whatever we do, cats are still unpredictable. Just be patient. If they are going through a period or a mood, or they are grumpy for a while. Sometimes you have to wait for it to go away.

MY CAT FOLLOWS ME EVERYWHERE BUT WON’T CUDDLE; WHY?

It’s not uncommon for cats to follow their owners around but not be interested in cuddling or being held. There are a few possible reasons for this behavior:

1. Personality: Like people, cats have unique personalities and preferences. Some cats simply prefer to be near their owners but not be touched or held. It’s important to respect your cat’s boundaries and not force them to do something they’re uncomfortable with.
2. Lack of trust: If your cat is a rescue or has had negative experiences with humans in the past, they may be hesitant to cuddle or be held. Building trust with your cat through positive reinforcement and treats can help them become more comfortable with you over time.
3. Overstimulation: Some cats may become overstimulated when being petted or held, which can cause them to become agitated and want to leave. It’s essential to pay attention to your cat’s body language and stop petting or holding them if they start to show signs of discomfort.
4. Health issues: If your cat is experiencing pain or discomfort, it may not want to be touched or held. If you notice any other changes in your cat’s behavior, such as eating less or grooming themselves excessively, it may be worth taking them to the vet for a check-up.

WHY IS A TEENAGE CAT NOT AFFECTIONATE?

Like people, teenage cats undergo a period of development and growth, and their behavior may change as they mature. There could be several reasons why teenage cats may not be as affectionate as they were before:

As cats go through puberty, their hormone levels change, affecting their behavior. For example, they may become more independent or irritable and not want to cuddle or be held as much as they did before.

Kittens that are not well socialized when they are young may grow up to be less affectionate or social with humans. For example, if a teenage cat was not adequately socialized as a kitten, it might be less likely to seek out attention and affection from its owners.

Teenage cats may be more easily distracted by their surroundings, such as by toys or other animals. This could cause them to be less interested in interacting with their owners.

Cats, like all animals, can experience stress, which can affect their behavior. For example, a teenage cat may be going through a stressful period due to a change in their environment or routine, which could cause them to be less affectionate.

It’s important to remember that every cat is an individual, and some cats may naturally be less affectionate than others.

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CONCLUSION

I hope your cat is getting more affectionate with you and that we were able to give you some useful information. If you have any questions or want to add anything, leave it in the comments below.