I'm assuming you are talking about an adult cat. Yeah you can probably train it but you have to go really slow and let that cat be in control. Like pet it when it stands next to you, maybe it will sit next to you. Pet it when it sit next to you, maybe it will sit in your lap. And so on. This method of training is called "shaping" and it is effective with cats. Instead of trying to change the cat's behavior radically, you change its behavior in very small steps until you reach the target behavior.
Make sure you are holding kitty correctly and you are picking her up correctly. Never pick up an adult cat by the scruff of its neck, it is painful for that cat and you can injure her. Learn how to lift her and hold her in a manner that is safe and comfortable for her, and make sure she feels confident that you aren't going to drop her.
Don't pick up a pregnant cat unless you must do so for example to take her to the vet or to move her to a safe place. Pregnant cats will usually resist being picked up, and their instincts are probably right.
Be warned though that some cats do not like to be held because it is painful for them. It could be a temporary condition like a UTI. Or it could be a life-long condition perhaps a consequence of having been spayed or having given birth to kittens. So if mister (or misses) kitty *really* doesn't want to be held, it could be that.
Despite your best efforts you may never convince kitty to let you hold him. That doesn't mean he doesn't love you. Just pet him on his own terms, whether it's on the bed, the floor, or whatever.
Thanks for your post! I've been doing basically what you suggested but it's like they're not caving in yet! I don't try to push it because I can see they're resistant.
My cats are healthy, I know for sure because they go to the vets so that's not the issue. I got them when they were only 8 weeks old, they're brother and sister, and the lady I got them from had no kids or anything and I'm sure they weren't handled roughly so I guess it's just instinct or whatever. I was hoping I could make them cuddly! It's weird how cats just don't give a fuck!
They have their individual preferences too lol. I also have a brother & sister pair. The male really doesn't tolerate being held but the female occasionally will purr when I hold her.
Like a lot of other people said here, cats do tend to become more cuddly as they get older like over 6 years old.
Can a cat learn to like being picked up?
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I'm assuming you are talking about an adult cat. Yeah you can probably train it but you have to go really slow and let that cat be in control. Like pet it when it stands next to you, maybe it will sit next to you. Pet it when it sit next to you, maybe it will sit in your lap. And so on. This method of training is called "shaping" and it is effective with cats. Instead of trying to change the cat's behavior radically, you change its behavior in very small steps until you reach the target behavior.
Make sure you are holding kitty correctly and you are picking her up correctly. Never pick up an adult cat by the scruff of its neck, it is painful for that cat and you can injure her. Learn how to lift her and hold her in a manner that is safe and comfortable for her, and make sure she feels confident that you aren't going to drop her.
Don't pick up a pregnant cat unless you must do so for example to take her to the vet or to move her to a safe place. Pregnant cats will usually resist being picked up, and their instincts are probably right.
Be warned though that some cats do not like to be held because it is painful for them. It could be a temporary condition like a UTI. Or it could be a life-long condition perhaps a consequence of having been spayed or having given birth to kittens. So if mister (or misses) kitty *really* doesn't want to be held, it could be that.
Despite your best efforts you may never convince kitty to let you hold him. That doesn't mean he doesn't love you. Just pet him on his own terms, whether it's on the bed, the floor, or whatever.
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Thanks for your post! I've been doing basically what you suggested but it's like they're not caving in yet! I don't try to push it because I can see they're resistant.
My cats are healthy, I know for sure because they go to the vets so that's not the issue. I got them when they were only 8 weeks old, they're brother and sister, and the lady I got them from had no kids or anything and I'm sure they weren't handled roughly so I guess it's just instinct or whatever. I was hoping I could make them cuddly! It's weird how cats just don't give a fuck!
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They have their individual preferences too lol. I also have a brother & sister pair. The male really doesn't tolerate being held but the female occasionally will purr when I hold her.
Like a lot of other people said here, cats do tend to become more cuddly as they get older like over 6 years old.