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As a pet owner, have you ever turned to Google to find the answer for the question “Why does my cat not like to be held?” In fact, people have a lot of questions about pets, but not all of them are about health. Often, they are curious about the reasons for the pet’s behavior and look for a solution to that problem.
All pet owners might have seen the scenario of a cat being hugged or held. Sometimes, your cat does seem to enjoy it and she does not hesitate to take a swipe at you. In some cases, however, she gets annoyed and tries to wiggle when you pet her. So if your cat hates to be held, respect this fact and do not force it. In this article, we will explain why this behavior occurs in cats and how to help your cat adapt to being held.
Why does my cat not like to be held? 8 reasons for this behavior
All things you- a cat owner ever wanted to do was just picking a feline friend up and bring her close to your chest. It relaxes your mind and blows anxiety away for a couple of minutes.
Unfortunately, some cats do not like to be touched or held. And, she has a variety of reasons for this behavior. Let’s explore the answer to the question: why does my cat not like to be held.
She is scared
Cat behaviors can be due to fights and worries. Many feline friends do not like to be picked up or held by humans, even by their owners. Cats may have fear when they hear sharp and loud noises like fireworks or thunderstorms. Commonly, they will hide in closets or under furniture. And, it can take some time for cats to get back to normal. A soft, low, gentle tone of the owner’s voice can help cats calm down when they are frightened.
The most common mistake owners make when playing with cats is to suddenly pick them up from behind. This action is not recommended because it can trigger fear rather than joy and relaxation.
Cats can also become fearful when humans touch them with their hands. It causes an unpleasant sensations on their soft and squishy bodies. Owners with patience can help cats overcome their fear and gain their trust easily.
She is not socialized properly
Not all cats like to communicate with humans. In fact, some cats hate to be picked up, touched or held. It can be a habitual behavior which was formed during childhood. For instance, it is very hard to touch a cat that was born and grew up on the street. She is unsociable to humans, so she doesn’t like to be held or touched by strangers.
Living alone with one person can also make cats not socialize. It’s because cats are the kind of animals that need constant attention every day. They will be more friendly when seeing and interacting with many new people in their home.
She is not treated with respect
It is necessary to treat your cats with respect, affection and caution. Cats can feel and understand what people are talking and doing to them. A soft, gentle voice along with confident stroking will make your cat trust you and she will let you pet her. To gain trust from your feline friend, you should spend more time playing with her. Treat your cat respectfully and give her personal space.
She is not feeling safe and comfortable
Feeling restricted is the answer for the question “Why does my cat not like to be held?” In fact, cats are not happy when they feel unsafe and uncomfortable. Owners often keep their cats in a restricted area. This can limit their movements, which can lead to stress and anxiety. More seriously, your furry friend may never trust you again.
She is in pain or has an illness
If your cat does not tolerate when being held, you should check up on her health. A medical condition or recent surgery can cause pain in her body. In this case, cats may become aggressive or tired when you pick them up. Call your vet immediately for help.
She has some trauma or negative experiences
Childhood experiences when interacting with humans can be a reason why cats do not like to be held. When living in the same house, some kids may pull the cat’s ears or tail and hit them. Such actions can have a strong impact on the physical and mental health of a cat, causing her to stay away from certain people.
It isn’t natural in her world
Cats are animals. Being lifted up or held with hands for a long time is not natural in their world. Normally, cats love snuggling, rubbing, licking, sniffing and preying. So respect their habits and add their personal spaces with toys. This can help your cats relax and trust you more.
You are holding her incorrectly
Holding your cat incorrectly can cause pain in her body. She should be comfortable when you hug or hold her with two hands. To do this, avoid gripping their belly or pulling them by their legs or tail. The correct method is picking up your cat with both hands under their front legs. Make sure to place her close to your body or chest and support them under the legs.
Conclusion
You now might have had an answer for the question “Why does my cat not like to be held?” Some cats are shy or become aggressive when you pick them up. That is normal. Do not force them or punish them. What you need to do is to learn and explore why your cat behaves like that. Afterward, look for a solution to fix the problem. If you suspect your cat is having a medical condition, call your vet for help. In daily life, respect your cat’s place and let them approach you naturally. Otherwise, you will lose her trust, and as time passes by, you will never be able to hold her.
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