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Making Your Cat More Cuddly

March 15 2021

There’s a pretty adorable pet holiday coming up. March is Cuddly Kitten Day! Our feline friends all have their own purrsonalities. While many of them are furry little cuddlebugs, others just don’t care to be cuddled or held. A local McHenry, IL vet offers some advice on ‘thawing out’ a cool kitty below.

Start Young

If there is one thing that plays a huge role in how cuddly or aloof your furball is, it’s socialization. If and how your pet was socialized during kittenhood will make a huge difference in her purrsonality. Kittens should be handled and petted frequently from a young age. This helps them grow into friendly adults. Cats that weren’t socialized as kittens can still come around, but they may be more wary or aloof.

Offer Great Care

Earning kitty cuddles goes far beyond what happens when you try to pet your cat. Giving Fluffy great overall care will go a long way. Good food, a clean litterbox, proper veterinary care, toys, furniture, playtime, and comfy beds are all important. These things help keep our feline overlords happy, healthy, and purring.

Interaction

Cuddles shouldn’t be the only way you show your kitty affection. Talking to her and playing with her will also help her feel loved and safe. Treats and catnip won’t hurt, either. These things will help teach your feline pal to associate you with positive things. Plus, they’ll make her feel loved and safe. The more you interact with Fluffy, the more interactive she’ll become!

Don’t Force It

Kitties are very small, and can feel threatened very easily. They also like to do things on their own terms. Never try to cuddle or hold Fluffy if she isn’t in the mood. For one thing, this is a good way to get scratched. This could also scare your furball, which will make her even less cuddly going forward.

Let Fluffy Be Fluffy

At the end of the day, some cats just don’t like to be held or petted very much. You may be able to slowly warm Fluffy up by just giving her ear scritches or forehead pets as you pass by. However, she may just prefer quietly sitting beside you, or hanging out across the room. That’s perfectly fine!

Please reach out if ever we can be of assistance. As your McHenry, IL veterinary clinic, we’re here to help!