Hey Guys!!!

My partner recently brought home a new 4 month old female moggie.

I have given her time to settle in and she is really affectionate. There is one problem however.....When I attempt to pick her up she pushes her paws (with force) against my chest and turns her head as far away from mine as possible.........All of our cats have done it at some stage & we all know what it means.....PUT ME DOWN NOW!!!

My question is this: Is there any way that I can make my kitten enjoy being picked up and held close or is this just her personality that can't be changed? I don't want kitty to do anything she doesn't want to do, so if it means no cuddles then no cuddles it is.

PLEASE HELP!!

Emma, Karnie & Tiiki
xxx

Nuh ..most cats will come around ...does your kitty like to sit on your lap and snuggle in other ways? Sometimes it is WHEN you pick them up that is the problem ..sometimes how! One of my friends has a cat that doesn't like HER to pick him up but will snuggle if I do ..rotten brat!
Start by snuggling on the lounge and gradually lifting your baby into your lap and hold cradled firmly and securely. Kiss and smooch your kitty so faces are WONDERFUL..okay ..I'm a cat kisser ...grin. I know there are more of you out there ... I also make mmm-ing noises into their tummies . If they like kisses and humming on them then being picked up becomes a delight not a punishment. Massage and pat regularly.

Bronnie ...(wanna be a cat in my house? ...grin)

My Smudge is a cat that loves to be patted only. She always has been since
a kitten. She is very happy to come up to me for a pat & stand on my lap,
but if I go to cuddle her...then she bolts. If I do manage to get a cuddle then
she behaves like your kitty...claws out & pushing away.

I don't push the cuddle issue with her... I will pat her while she stands near me
or if she comes to find me for a pat... but I don't go to her.

I find with Smudge if you try & go to her...then she is off running to hide.
If she comes to me then it is only on her terms.

I found that when we 1st rescued her...she would'nt even come near any of us...
just sit back & watch. I 1st started with a quick pat & leave her alone after that...
it didn't take long for her to be near me on the lounge for a pat...now that has
progressed over 12 months to her sitting on the arm of the lounge or my lap for her
pats.

I also find that she is pertified of visitiors...not one of my friends have ever
got to touch her at all...yet she can be all over me when they are in the room.

Good luck taming your kitty.

Thanks Bronnie & Char!!! I love this forum!! You two have said hello & helped me out, all within 2 days!!

Bronnie, when I'm re-incarnated, I am definately coming back, as a cat, to live with YOOOOOOOOOO!!! But I hate tuna so cooked chicken and veggies only please!!! I promise to love you and keep your lap warm for as long as I live
I spoil my burmese girl the same........mmmmmm noises, kisses on the lips (AND JUST LET ME SAY, I'VE NEVER GOT SOME WEIRD CRAZY DISEASE FROM DOING THIS AFTER 7 YEARS!!), oh and especially the bubbles on the tummy!!! WE'RE NOT CRAZY, WE JUST LOVE KITTY CATS!!!

You're right, if show affection towards Tiiki she usually pulls away. She USES me when SHE wants affection.....perfect example: whilst making the family dinner tonight, how convenient of her BUT I JUST CAN'T RESIST!! She does sit on my lap & she does lick my nose, so I guess if I just keep on with the steps that you gave me she will come around!!!

My cat Karnie is similar to yours Char..........no affection for anyone but me!! AND I LOVE IT....well sometimes........she can be a bit skitty, if only people knew her behind closed doors, SHE'S A COMPLETE HUSSY!!

THANKS AGAIN FRIENDS!!

Em, Karnie, Tiiki
xxx

ps. I'm posting another topic in cat chat that I would really love your advice on?? Only if you get the chance though!!

Little Miss Arwen my desexed devon has been the bane of my existence... I thought she would be my baby girl but turns out the only person she will let pick her up is her Daddy as he is the apple of her eye. I have been peristent but not about picking her up. I will always pat her when she flops down in front of me and I always talk to her in a soothing voice calling her 'my girl'.

Now if I can't find her I just raise my voice a little bit and say "Where's my girl" she will come running and talks to me telling me "I'm here Mum...now feed me...LOL"

She loves my DH so much that she runs to the door when he comes home from work and will even meow at our bedroom door if he oversleeps his alarm in the morning.

I have however had my revenge. My new girl Shirlie is MINE!!! She tolerates hubby but adores me and it had better stay that way! I've told DH off for trying to subvert her and I have even threatened him with sleeping on the couch if he changes her mind.

One of our previous cats started not liking to be picked up and though he'd come and sit near us, meow and then drop down and roll onto his back, he didn't really like to be patted much either (used to bite when you tried to pat him). I just really stressed to our girls not to do anything longer than he likes it, so we didn't force holding or patting, and I made a special time each morning for about 15 minutes where I prepared his breaky, talked to him and patted him - his mind was on the food and not the touching. He got heaps better, at least he stopped the biting and would actually let you pick him up and hold him for a while.

Oh, and just so you all know, yes I'm coming out too. I also smooch my furries - I can't resist it, and boy can it result in a sneezing attack. I don't care - they're so irresistable.

Leo doesn't like to be picked up and never has. He is happy to cuddle, but isn't crash hot on the picking up. I have to sometimes, so I try to pick him up and make sure I put him down before he starts squirming. Hopefully that way, he wont associate picking up with something yukky.

oh we are all coming out now ...grin ...
Go for it girls and boys ..kiss and cuddle your furkids!!

I used to own a young tom, Gus, who behaved in a similar way. He detested being handled from the day we brought him home at 8 weeks and from the start was adept at dodging grabbing hands, especially little ones. He always showed a marked dislike for children. We bought him from a backyard breeder and we concluded that her children overhandled him while he was still too small and helpless to get away. You said that your new puss was four months old when you got her. You don't know what she's been through in the past but it sounds like it might be something similar. What we did was give Gus space. We just didn't force the issue. After a few months he didn't mind physical contact and even sought it out but it had to be on his terms and he had to feel that he could get away if he wanted too. For example he would happily sit on my partner's lap but if Rob tried to put his arms around him so he couldn't jump off then Gus would get agitated. My partner and I parted company about a year after we got Gus so I don't know if he ever improved further but he did improve on when we first got him. I hope this helps.

Karen M

(I know this is an old thread :P)

Panda is like this.
She will sit on me when i'm on the couch, sleeps under the doona on my bed with me, follows me everywhere, but when i pick her up she pushes away and runs when i put her down lol

It doesn't bother me, i like that she is mostly independent, but i wish she would let me have proper cuddles some times!
I guess thats what the dog is for though :/