Cuddling, petting and what not

**StraD** · 25th July 2011, 10:01 AM

So Erwin has been in his new home for a week!
Having read so much about the cuddly, friendly nature of MCs I thought I might ask: do your kittens enjoy you petting them?

I'm a little worried as I've noticed that Erwin avoids contact. He rarely lets me rub his belly (when he does let me, he purrs though) and he NEVER ever lets me pet his head.
He's a very energetic kitten, he plays all the time and does want to be around me - he usually follows me wherever I go. I'm kinda worried that, being deaf, he has associated my hands with something negative, although I cannot think of something I did that would lead to that. Or maybe it's a matter of getting used to human contact? I realize that when he was at the cattery he was more used to playing and sleeping with his brothers and sisters and the rest of the cats there, so maybe he just needs time.

Have you had similar reactions from kittens?

**Helen & John** · 25th July 2011, 10:09 AM

Roxy is still head shy, you have to stroke her back first then she will let you stroke her head and rub her ears. She has been like that since we had her even though she is very loving and will get on your lap for a fuss. Hector loves a fuss when he wants one! He will let you stroke and fuss him anytime but when he wants lots of fuss you have no choice but to fuss him!

Roxy also follows me everywhere and both of them are very good if they come for a fuss when Freddie is on my knee, sometimes I am not quick enough and he grabs a handful of their fur, they just don't move till I have got it out of his hand, they really do live up to their reputation of being gentle giants bless them!

**StraD** · 25th July 2011, 10:16 AM

Awww now I'm jealous! :p

Well, Erwin is still new here and he may have trust issues to overcome, I know sometimes it takes time. Sitting on my lap is out of the question of course, he doesn't let me do the basic stuff - stroking his back for example. He rarely just sits there when I attempt any kind of contact, usually he just gets up and curls up a little further away from me just so I won't be able to reach him =(

**Helen & John** · 25th July 2011, 10:23 AM

Give him time, when we first had ours they prefered the oh, then they figured out I was a soft touch lol!
He just needs to find his paws, ours are litter mates so they have always been together. We went for Roxy as I wanted a grey and as we watched them all together it was Hector she was with the most so when he has been rough with her when they are playing we remind her she chose him lol

**Rachel-C** · 25th July 2011, 04:56 PM

Neither of ours are particularly lap cats who like lots of stroking and cuddling. Gracie decides when she wants a cuddle and when she does she purrs like crazy. When she's not in the mood however, she squeals like a stuffed pig! Monty has never been one for cuddles, he will struggle and has never yet laid on a lap for cuddles! Both of them however, will always be right by your side - albeit just out of reach! Having said that though, it's only in the last few weeks that Gracie has decided she wants to sleep on the bed with us. They have got better over the months though so I'm guessing it's a time thing - but my last moggie was a real cuddle monster so I do miss it

**Bethy_boo** · 25th July 2011, 06:06 PM

When I got Ffion a couple of weeks back she wouldn't let me touch her for the first few days. If I put my hand to her she would smell and lick my hand but if I tried to stroke her she pulled away and ran off! I found that the best time to pet her was when she was in her igloo bed, I think she felt safe and protected there so would accept a bit of loving. It took 3 days to get a purr out of her too!

She has slowly but surely become more affectionate, to the point that after 2 weeks she sits on my lap every now and again. She still initially looks a bit uncomfortable when being stroked, but she often settles into enjoying it.

I think it will just take a bit of time. My advice would be to wait until he's curled up and cosy and then give him a stroke. Do it a little and often, he'll soon associate your hands with lovely strokes!

**Peter Galbavy** · 25th July 2011, 07:10 PM

My three, all being litter mates, are very different in this regard. And changeable too. Don;t give up hope, but give Erwin the space to feel secure and loving all by himself first.

**Stacey** · 25th July 2011, 07:54 PM

Teddy is pretty cuddly - he likes to be stroked and will come and sit beside you (he's not a huge fan of sitting on your lap) to be stroked. He likes to have his tummy rubbed but mostly because then he can clamp his claws around your arm and have a good old wrestle (I do not encourage this!). I'm not sure if I remember what he was like initially...he has always liked being picked up and lying in your arms like a baby or over your shoulder in what I call 'the winding position'. Perhaps he was a little more shy during the first couple of days.

His brother Alfie on the other hand was a crazy kitten! He was constantly on the go looking for things to jump on and wouldn't settle to be petted. Our breeder always remarked on the differences between the two.

I'm sure he'll settle down eventually - I wouldn't worry about it! I don't think he loves you any less because he doesn't want to be touched as much...he's just too busy with his own little adventures!

**StraD** · 25th July 2011, 08:04 PM

Well, thank you all for your replies =)

Generally he feels comfortable around me - I think. It's just the stroking and rubbing thing he avoids. Today I tried approaching him when he was about to sleep and he did fine. One thing I've noticed is that when I do that he enjoys it for a little while (purring and all), then he falls asleep and wakes up after a while to move a little further away. I think he is startled even though he falls asleep while I'm petting him.

Other than that he is a cheeky little guy! =)

**catslave** · 25th July 2011, 10:57 PM

Your getting to know each other and to Erwin you must seem like a giant. Buddy has two modes, if he's in loving mode you cant move without him being on you somewhere; hes not fussed which part of you but he will be on you. He likes to lay on his back on my arm and go to sleep like a baby. In his "other mode" he won't let you near him - I have the teeth and claw marks from trying.

I've got a little foster kitten atm who is 5 weeks old and when he's sleeping you can do anything to him, but in play mode you can't get near him. Mind you Storm has a foot fetish - he likes going to sleep on peoples feet!