Do Kittens Become Less Affectionate – Things To Know!

Many first-time kitty owners are delighted by the cuddliness their new pets exhibit. As kittens begin to grow, however, they become a handful! No longer content to sleep in their owners’ laps, kittens will begin to explore their environment and develop their independence. When presented with this situation, a pet parent will often wonder: do kittens become less affectionate?

Yes, kittens can become less affectionate. Every kitten is an individual, and as they grow, their personalities will crystallize. Owners can employ a set of techniques to increase their kitten’s affection However, there are also specific periods of life in which a cat might be less affectionate.

This article will discuss how age correlates with affection, why a kitten’s level of affection may fluctuate, and how you can encourage your kitten to be affectionate.

Is It Normal For A Kitten To Not Be Affectionate

Yes. Think about a group of people you know: your coworkers, schoolmates, or even your immediate family. Indeed some are friendly, outgoing, vibrant smilers, while others prefer to keep to themselves. The introverts of the group aren’t malicious, and their lack of socialization doesn’t necessarily mean they dislike the people in the group. 

It’s similar to animals. Each has its own personality, including an inclination towards extraversion or introversion. It’s normal for a kitten to be more solitary.

It should be noted that cats go through a phase similar to teenagehood when they’re learning their independence and limits. This usually takes place between 12 – 18 months of age, and most cats become less affectionate during this period.

That being said, kittens display affection in ways many owners miss. Although your kitten might not be a cuddler, he could be displaying affection in other ways.

To express affection, cats will slow blink at their owners (and you can return the favor on this one–if you notice your kitten blinking with half-lidded eyes at you, do the same!), follow them around the house, twine their tails around their arms, purr or meow at them, and bump them with their heads.

Do Kittens Get More Affectionate As They Get Older

Not necessarily. The overall affection of a creature is hard to gauge since so many factors can affect it. The breed of the kitten is perhaps the easiest thing to pinpoint–certain breeds are more affectionate than others, such as ragdolls. If you’re looking into getting a cuddly kitten, make sure to do your research!

On the other hand, if you properly socialize your kitten at a young age (you can begin as early as five days!), you can encourage your kitten to become cuddly.

It should be noted that some cats won’t be cuddly, and that’s not bad. Every cat has a unique personality. It is crucial for you as the owner to understand that your cat might not be affectionate or not affectionate in the way you’d prefer.

At What Age Do Kittens Stop Being Cuddly

While kittens don’t “stop” being cuddly at a certain age, many cats’ affection levels decrease during their teenage years, from around 12 – 18 months. At the end of this period, the adult cat’s personality will fully emerge and establish itself. If your cat isn’t cuddly at the end of this period, it may simply be that your cat is a natural introvert. 

Why Is My Kitten Getting Less Affectionate

Barring a substantial change in your life (think: you’ve moved recently, you’ve introduced a new member of the family, furry or otherwise, etc.), your kitten’s level of affection likely has nothing to do with you.

As kittens gain mobility, they may become less interested in hanging out with you, preferring to tussle with their litter-mates. That’s fine! Your kitten is simply expressing his personality.

You should continue to socialize with your kitten in his preferred manner: does he prefer cuddling? Maybe he likes playing more? Whatever method of interaction he prefers, pursue it, but allow your kitten to wander off when he wants. Forcing interaction with your cat will not improve your relationship.

How Do I Get My Kitten To Be More Cuddly? 5 Tips

So, we’ve talked a lot about why your kitten might not be as affectionate as you thought he would be and how you can socialize him to be more affectionate than he would’ve been otherwise, but what does that look like?

1. Start Young

To give your kitten the best chance of being affectionate, you need to involve yourself in his life at a young age–as young as possible. Once kittens turn five days old, they can interact for brief moments, but the true socialization window is between four and sixteen weeks. 

2. Pet And Hold Your Kitty

This is maybe the most obvious point, but for your cat to be affectionate, you need to cuddle and hold him! Hold him on your lap and pet him where he likes it the most (he’ll purr and lean into you). When he wants to be done, allow him to leave.

3. Play With Your Kitty

Playing is a great way to socialize any kitten, especially those that are energetic. Experts recommend playing with your kitten at least two times per day for about fifteen minutes per session. Please don’t play with your hand since that’ll only teach your kitten that it’s okay to bite and scratch you. Instead, use a laser pointer, string, or feather wand. Make sure your cat has toys for when you’re not around, like a stuffed animal or a ball.

4. Don’t Overwhelm Your Kitten

We’ve all seen it–the toddler who’s losing it. Someone’s tired, we say. It’s the same with kittens. Interactions tire them out! And if every interaction results in the feline-equivalent of a meltdown, your cat won’t enjoy being social with humans. When your kitten walks away, allow them to go and nap for a bit.

5. Stay Calm

Speak in a friendly, soft voice when interacting with your kitten, and make sure they have a safe place, away from the chaos of the house. If your kitten does something undesirable, don’t punish the behavior by yelling at your kitten or hitting him. Cats won’t understand why you’re hurting them, and it will only serve to make your cat distrustful of people.

Things To Consider

The most important takeaway is this: some kittens are affectionate, and some aren’t. If you must have an affectionate cat, the best you can do is find an affectionate breed that has been raised in a home (avoid kittens that were kept outside or in a barn; they will be less socialized to people), cuddle with your fur-baby from a young age, and hope.

Even then, some cats will not be cuddly, preferring to display their affection in different ways or even to conceal it. As a responsible pet owner, you must respect the wishes of your cat. 

Cats may also go through periods of their life when they’re less (or more!) affectionate. This is common in periods of high stress.

If you’ve moved or added a new member of the family, your cat may withdraw from you to deal with the stress, or they might grow closer to gain reassurance from you. Most cats also become temporarily less affectionate from 12 – 18 months of age as they work through teenagehood.

It’s hard to tell a cat’s personality when they are not fully grown. Once they reach about 18 months of age, a cat’s personality will become fully realized and entrenched–it’s only then that you can tell whether or not your cat is a cuddler.