Thread: Cuddling, petting and what not

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?

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!

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 =(

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

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

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!