Monday, May 24, 2010

How long does it take to train a cat to be affectionate?

We've only had this cat a little longer than a week. She's a little more than a year old, will be playful sometimes, but not very loving or liking the cuddling thing.
Answers:
No cat can be trained to be affectionate in the way you want them to be.. I have 4 cats and all of them are affectionate in thier own way in thier own time. Trust me it also takes much longer than a week for a new older cat to become accustomed to you and comfortable enough to start showing thier affection. Some never are lap cats, but instead are only loveable at certain times and many never come to like being held. it's a rare cat that enjoys being picked up and cuddled.. out of my 4 cats only 1 likes to be held and fussed over, 1 only likes to be held a certain way, the other 2 hate being held. They all have thier own unique ways of showing affection and it is not always by cuddling or curling up in your lap.. Just give your cat some time and don't push affection on her, instead try acting unconcerned and just play alot with her, eventually she will open up in her own way and show you affection. just remember to her affection may be no more than rubbing on your leg in passing or meowing at you, or she may only be affectionate at bedtime or when you are sitting in a certain chair. It is just the way cats are they choose thier own way of doing things and they are very independant and strong willed, you cant make a cat do anything!! you can only ask nicely and await thier decision.. LOL
You can't train a cat to be affectionate. She either IS or she isn't. And each cat shows affection in different ways. Our male can't get enough. He's always in someone's lap cuddling, headbutting, letting us give him belly rubs..meowing at us to sit down so he can jump on us. Our new female, on the other hand, will SOMETIMES settle down in a lap, but not for very long. If she's not in the mood to be picked up and you make the mistake of doing so, she lets you know promptly. She comes to us when she wants affection, but our male just lets people love on him constantly.

Give your cat space. She may warm up to you in time, or she may always be one of those cats that merely accepts affection on her terms.
In my experience with cats, you must be patient. There is no time limit. They do not give their love as quickly as dogs. Food is their motivation. Try petting her while she eats. Talk lovingly to her. They love to be groomed and scratched on their back. Play with her, i.e., drag a string along the floor for her to catch. She will get to associate you with food, petting and playing which is essentially what cats like. Don't give up on her. Good luck!
Each cat has it's individual personality. So some cats are not cuddling cats. That's just how they are. And it will take at least 2 months for a cat to settle into its new surroundings. Give your baby some time and keep playing with it. That is the most important bonding that can lead to affection.

Remember it's a live being and has it's own ideas. Just think about this: if you just met someone would you kiss them and hug them?

Give it some time.
All cats have different personalities. Just like humans, some cats are more affectionate than others. Her previous experiences of people will have coloured her view of the world; if she was ill treated she will be nervous. Don't force her, let her take things at her own pace. When she indicates that she had enough petting for the time being let her go. There will be times when she is relaxed %26 sleepy, they can be good times to pet her. Brushing her can be a good way for both of yu to bond. You can also pet her before feeding, then she associates being petted with being fed.
At the moment she is adjusting to a new environment, which is bound to be traumatic for her. Just give her time %26 be patient, but accept that she may never become a cat who loves a lot of cuddles. Cats are all different, which is what makes them such fascinating creatures.
Cats need a lot of affection from the time their born and so on. If their not held a lot and shown affection they probably will never by the time their over 3 months. At this stage your cat is the way she's going to be. Just keep showing her attention she just may come around.
Give her all the time she needs. Right now, you are a very fast moving giant that swoops down and snatches her from the floor. she has to get used to you. Be soft and gentle. Touch her often and she'll get used to being touched. Touch her when you feed her. Always speak softly and she'll "learn" to appreciate your voice; don't let any children chase her! She'll warm up to you and come to you when she feels comfortable. Right now, she's in a totally new environment and that can be a little frightening for her. Give her time.

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