Tips For Cuddling Kitties

Do you own a cuddly cat? June 4th is Hug Your Cat Day! One thing we can say about our feline friends: they are quite affectionate. Many of our furry pals love being held, petted, and snuggled. At least some of them do. Others? Not very much. Continue reading as a local Aldershot, ON veterinarian explains the do’s and don’ts of hugging Fluffy.

What If My Cat Doesn’t Enjoy Hugs?

Some of our feline friends are a touch reserved. That is not to say Fluffy does not love you; she may simply prefer to express her affection by hanging out with you, following you around, or even ignoring you! That’s perfectly fine. There are various things you can do to start that small motor.

In case you need a reminder, these are some of Fluffy’s favorites:

Boxes: Fortunately for us, our feline overlords are relatively easy to please. Simply give your pet an empty box and tell her to keep out of it.

New Toys: Fluffy reaps emotional and physical benefits from playing. It is critical for your pet to maintain good physical health. Timing those fancy pounces is also terrific for cerebral stimulation.

Beds: Did you know that cats may sleep up to 20 hours every day? Buying or making Fluffy a new bed or ten is sure to elicit at least a few purrs.

Furniture: Kitties benefit greatly from having items designed specifically for them. A cat tower is an excellent choice, but your feline may also prefer a kitty tunnel, window seat, or anything else she can look cute resting on.

Conversation: Hugging and petting Fluffy are not the only ways you can make her feel appreciated. Simply converse with her. Kitties certainly make excellent confidantes.

Treats: Although our feline friends can be picky, most have a favorite snack. Just stick to healthier selections.

Catnip: We can’t forget Fluffy’s favorite plant! Remember that not all furballs are susceptible to it. If your feline companion doesn’t appear to enjoy it, consider acquiring her honeysuckle cat toys. Honeysuckle appears to be popular among cats who dislike catnip. (This is yet one more thing we may never really understand about our feline overlords.) 

Of course, keeping your furry pal happy and healthy requires regular visits to our pet clinic.

Is It Okay To Hug Cats?

In general, sure, but there are a few things to consider. The golden rule here is never to hug or hold a furball that does not want to be touched. This is unlikely to win her over; instead, it will likely get you scratched. Fluffy’s trust has to be won. That may take time.

What Are The Most Cuddly Cat Breeds?

While breed does not play as important an influence in Fluffy’s physiology as it does with dogs, it is certainly a consideration. While each feline is unique, a few breeds are known for being meowing little love bugs.

• Persian 
• Burmese 
• Birman
• Sphynx 
• Bombay 
• Abyssinian
• Tonkinese 
• Russian Blue
• Ragdoll
• Maine Coon
• Scottish Fold
• Siamese 
• American Shorthair
• Ragamuffin
• Siberian 
• Devon Rex
• Cornish Rex
• Chartreux
• Himalayan 

Do Cats Enjoy Being Cuddled?

Many cats love it when their owners pet and snuggle them. Fluffy is also the ideal size to curl up on our laps, though it is unclear if she wants to cuddle or simply considers you a pleasant napping area.

Putting aside the jokes, cats really are quite emotional, and can form very strong bonds with their humans. At the end of the day, all they want is to be petted and held while feeling loved and safe. In fact, research suggests that our feline companions regard us as second parents. Kittens, in particular, really love feeling safe and pampered. With baby cats, this is also important for socialization! 

How Can I Make My Cat Love Me?

It really comes down to treating Fluffy with love and care. There are no shortcuts here. Simply speak to her, pet her, and give attention to her!

Why Don’t Some Cats Enjoy Being Hugged?

Kitties each have their own preferences. Your pet’s past may have something to do with this, especially if she came from a bad situation. If your furry pal wasn’t socialized as a kitten and spent time as a stray, she might be distrustful. Cats can gradually warm up. It’s rather lovely when an aloof, nervous feline crawls into your lap for the first time!

Of course, it’s also true that some furballs will only cuddle with their people on their own terms. That means Fluffy may ignore you while you’re watching TV, only to demand attention while you’re doing something else. There are also kitties that pick a human, and only want to snuggle that one person. 

How Do I Properly Hug My Kitty?

Picking up your cat may not appear to be a difficult task, but there are a few things to keep in mind. It’s very important to give your animal friend the right care. Her weight should be distributed across her hind end or back legs. She may opt to place her front paws on your arm or shoulders; that is acceptable. The essential thing is never to grab her by the stomach. This can actually cause internal harm. Plus, it’s simply uncomfortable. You probably wouldn’t want to be grabbed by the stomach either!

What about the other thing? When your pet thinks she’s had enough, let her go. This is crucial for developing trust. If you attempt to hold Fluffy, she may become afraid and defensive.

What Is the Benefit of Hugging Kitties?

It turns out that snuggling with your kitty companion is beneficial to both of you. Our feline pals may get a lot of criticism for being cold and aloof, but this isn’t fair. Some people just want to be caressed and pampered all the time. Paying attention to Fluffy, patting and hugging her, can help to strengthen the particular link we share with our feline companions.

Hugging kitties can, in fact, be rather special. When you and your pet snuggle, a particular hormone is released in both of you. When mothers and babies snuggle, they release this hormone—which is called oxytocin—as well. It reinforced feeling loved and safe.

Finally, there’s Fluffy’s purr. That unique rumble has some intriguing characteristics. kittys purr at specific frequencies, often between 25 and 140 Hertz. The same frequencies have been demonstrated to promote healing and bone growth. They are also utilized in physical treatment. And, as you may already know, snuggling with a purring feline may be really relaxing.

Cats Who Need Hugs

At the end of the day, we believe that all kittens deserve cuddles and affection. Unfortunately, many cats are suffering in shelters, hoping that someone will adopt them, bring them home, and adore them. Given that June is Adopt A Shelter Cat Month, now is an excellent moment to help. That could include making donations, dropping off supplies, fostering, volunteering, or simply raising awareness. Of course, adopting a feline who craves affection would be the best way to commemorate this ‘pawspicious’ occasion.

Book An Appointment At Our Aldershot, ON Animal Clinic

Has it been a while since your feline friend came in? Have you recently adopted a new kitten? Contact us at your Aldershot, ON pet clinic today. We are always delighted to help!