Mary Allen
While dogs are considered man’s best friend, the truth is that cats are just as loving companions. An unmistakable sign of affection is when the furry friends cuddle with people. But that’s not all. Here’s what else this cute feline behavior is all about.
Most cats love to cuddle with people – provided they can choose when they feel like it. Why is that and what are the reasons behind the velvety cuddliness?
Cats Cuddle for Warmth & Security
Kittens can only regulate their body heat themselves from the age of around three weeks. Until then, they are dependent on snuggling very closely with their cat mother and siblings. Snuggling up is to keep you from getting cold.
Even later, cats like to look for the warmest places to rest – and it’s particularly nice on the lap of their favorite person. Just as important as warmth is security for the well-being of your kitty. In the wild, it is exposed to various dangers, for example from larger predators. As such, she is always alert and ready to flee at the slightest unfamiliar sound or smell.
If it is in a safe place, she can relax and let her alertness drop a bit. So if your cat cuddles with you a lot, it feels safe with you, and knows he can trust you 100%. Cats also snuggle with fellow cats and other pets where they feel warm and safe.
Cat Bonds by Cuddling
Cuddling also helps cats bond. Kittens and their families, as well as groups of cats in the wild, snuggle up close to mix their scents and create a common group scent. This strengthens the cohesion and gives the fur noses a feeling of security.
Cuddling is essential for their social behavior. When cats want to cuddle a lot with people, they treat you like one of their family and show affection.
Cat Wants to Cuddle: Attention Through Declarations of Love
However, it’s not always altruistic when cats snuggle up to people. In addition to warmth and security, they also get attention. And they need it when, for example, they are hungry or thirsty, their litter box needs cleaning, they play or want to go outside.
The smart little guys quickly learn that we humans are ready to meet their needs when they come over for a cuddle. The cuddling for attention is usually accompanied by meows and paw nudges to emphasize the demand.
Caution! If your cat isn’t usually a cuddly cat and suddenly shows clingy behavior for no apparent reason, have it checked out by the vet as a precaution – they may want to draw your attention to the fact that they are in pain or ill.
Cat Breeds in Need of Cuddles: Which Cats Like to Cuddle?
While every cat has its own personality – some are more affectionate than others – there are certain breeds of cat that are particularly likely to be affectionate and cuddly, and who enjoy cuddling a lot.
The cuddly cat breeds include, for example, Ragdoll cats, Maine Coons, Siamese cats, British Shorthair, and Balinese cats.
Cat Doesn’t Cuddle: Why is That?
On the other hand, there are also cats that don’t like to cuddle with people. This can have various reasons. Some fur noses are simply reserved in terms of their personality and don’t need many cuddles.
It is also possible that your cat was not sufficiently socialized as a baby and did not have positive contact with people. When this happens, their instinct warns them that humans are a potential danger, so they prefer to be cautiously shy. If the velvet paws have even had bad experiences with people, they become particularly anxious in their presence.
In this case, your animal must first learn that you are not a danger. But can you train cats to cuddle? As far as this question is concerned, you should not force your cat and leave her alone and remain completely calm and relaxed.
Give your pet the time and space it needs to trust you. Make sure your everyday life is as routine as possible and avoid noise in the presence of your cat. In this way, your four-legged friend will approach you all by himself, when he is ready.
Example situation: Make yourself comfortable on the couch and read a book – this way your furry friend can determine the pace at which it observes you, assesses you, and approaches you. Additionally, you can boost her trust by playing with her a lot, speaking gently to her, and offering her treats.