Some cat breeds are more affectionate than others. Just because a certain cat belongs to a popular cat breed doesn't automatically mean they have affectionate personalities.
While some cats want constant snuggle time, there are easy-going cats, too. Some cat breeds are attention grabbers, wanting to be the center of attention all the time. Some cats are ideal family pets because their gentle nature makes them great as friendly companions.
Most cat owners prefer sweet-natured kitties. If you are looking to bring one of the most affectionate cats into your home, consider one of these breeds:
Which Cats are the Least Affectionate?
What breeds are considered the least affectionate is a highly debated topic. Many people have cats of the breeds on this list and report they are very affectionate. However, in general, many people consider these breeds less affectionate than the average cat. The list includes:
- Singapura
- Scottish Fold
- Korat
- Egyptian Mau
- Cymric
- Bombay
- American Wirehair
What are Some of the Signs My Cat Loves Me?
Like humans, signs of affection vary from cat to cat. Some cats might swat at or nip at you to show affection, while others do this to warn you to back away or let you know they are overstimulated.
In general, the following signs indicate your cat wants to be affectionate with you and loves you:
Grooming
If your cat is licking you, it might be a sign they consider you part of the family and wants to groom you.
Biting
Don’t assume that biting is meant as a sign of aggression, although it might be. In some cases, though, cats gently nip at you or play-bite to show affection. Biting is something kittens and cats do when playing with their feline friends. As long as you aren’t getting hurt and the bite isn’t hard, it’s probably okay to allow some biting.
Eye Contact
Cats tend to avoid eye contact unless they are comfortable with you. If your cat is willing to look into your eyes for any length of time, it’s a good sign. And if she gives you a slow blink, it means she’s content and trusts you. Try returning the slow blink and see how she responds.
Head Butts
Cats like to rub up against you to mark you as their territory. They head-butt you to spread their scent onto you.
Giving Your Gifts
As unappealing as it might be to receive a mouse pet, hunting for you is a sign they love you. Hopefully, your cat can keep the gifts to the toy variety.
High Tails
Pay attention to your cat’s tail when he approaches you. If his tail is held high with a slight flip of the tips, it means they’re friendly, and they feel you are too.
Meowing
It might be tough to interpret a cat’s meow, but most of the time, if you’re getting a gentle meow that doesn’t sound panicked or angry, it’s a sign you’re liked.
Kneading
Kittens learn to knead to stimulate their mother’s milk, and they continue to practice this behavior once they are grown. If your pet likes to knead on you, it means they are comfortable and secure around you.
Sleeping on You
A lot of times, a good round of kneading is followed by your cat settling in and sleeping on you. If this happens, you’ve reached cat affection nirvana. Your cat loves you and trusts you, and you’ll have a friend for life.
Keep in mind, if your cat stops doing these things, it doesn’t mean they’ve stopped loving you. It could just be a change of habit or adjustment to something that has changed in their environment. However, a change in usual behavior could also indicate your cat has a health issue. It’s best to take your cat for a veterinarian exam if you notice a behavior change.
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How to Make Your Cat More Affectionate
If you have an unaffectionate cat, there might be ways to get them to be more affectionate. In some cases, it just takes time. If your cat is new to your home, wait a few weeks, relax, be non-demanding around your cat, and see how your relationship evolves.
If you and your cat have been living together for some time and the affection level isn’t where you want it to be, try the following:
- Schedule regular, daily play sessions. You can bait your cat into interacting with you by offering a feather, a ball, or a string for interactive play.
- Pet your cat. If your cat isn’t quite ready to be picked up or curl up in your lap, leave them in the location where they’ve settled and offer a few pets.
- Pay attention to signals. Notice when your cat seems stressed or isn’t interested in being approached. Make sure you go slowly and don’t push too much affection all at once.
- Use treats to lure your cat to you. The fastest way to your pet’s heart might be right through their taste buds.
- Never be violent or loud around your cat. Cats can be skittish, so make sure you don’t startle an already unaffectionate cat.
Also, keep in mind that some breeds are more affectionate than others. If your cat is of mixed breed, it could be that some of its lineages come from a less affectionate breed.
Why Does My Cat Act Like He Doesn’t Want Affection?
The two main reasons your cat might not like to be affectionate with you are, one, it’s just their personality or breed, or second, they haven’t bonded with you.
No matter the breed, kittens tend to be affectionate with new owners, but adult cats usually take some time to warm up. On the other hand, some cats are always distant and independent. There might be nothing you can do to change your cat’s natural disposition.
In some cases, cats that are bonded with you and relatively attached to you might act as if they don’t want affection. There could be a few reasons for this. For example, your cat might be:
- Tired
- Feeling ill
- Overheated
- Turned off by the fragrance of your perfume or cologne or smell of food you’ve recently eaten
- Disturbed by noise
- Unsure about someone near you, be it another pet or person
- Overstimulated
What are the Best Ways to Bond with Your Cat?
You can do several things if you’d like to form a stronger bond with your cat. For example:
Develop a Ritual
All breeds of cats are creatures of habit and love having rituals with their human companions. If you do something with your cat that “works,” keep doing it. For instance, if your cat lets you pet her coat or pat her on the head for a minute every day before giving her breakfast, stick to that routine.
Schedule Daily Play Sessions
Playing with your cat is one of the best ways to bond, especially when your cat is younger. Cats love chasing strings and retrieving items. About 30 minutes a day is recommended for play with your cat. This gets them active and gives the two of you a chance to interact.
Give Your Cat Space
No matter how affectionate your cat might eventually become, they’ll still want space at times, depending on their personality. Cats have moods just like humans. Make sure your cat has space to which to retreat that is comfortable, quiet, and alone. Some cats like to go behind or under furniture. If your cat retreats, allow them to do so, as long as they are still coming out to eat and use the litter box.
It’s also important to understand the warning signs of when to back off. Cats almost always let you know before they’ve had enough, and it’s important to respect these cues. Leave your cat alone if you notice:
- Dilated pupils
- Twitching tail
- Flattened ears
- Loud purring (sometimes it’s a sign of contentment, but not always!)
Be Consistent
Cats appreciate predictability. They are creatures of habit and prefer familiar environments where they know the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes. If you must make a transition, do so slowly and be understanding. This helps your cat learn to trust you and increases the odds they will be affectionate with you.
Let Your Cat Take the Lead
If you aren’t having much luck moving to the next stage of bonding, let your cat take the lead. Some signs that your cat is comfortable with you, include: purring, head-butting, kneading, and sitting on or near you. Appreciate the process of bonding with your cat, even if it seems excruciatingly slow.
Use Positive Reinforcement
When your cat shows you affection, offer a reward. In addition to responding affectionately, give your cat a treat when they sit on your lap or accept your advances. Just don’t be surprised if your cat expects the reward every time they perform the behavior!
Avoid Punishing Your Cat
Avoid discipline as often as possible. There might be times you need to alert your cat to something dangerous or help them learn the lesson of the house, but negative reinforcement drives you further apart. As much as possible, especially if your cat is reluctant to bond, avoid punishing your cat. Never be physically violent with your cat, and try not to startle them when you must use discipline.
The Definitive Guide to Cat DNA testing: What you need to know.
“Demystifying Feline Behavior.” Penn Today, https://www.penntoday.upenn.edu/news/demystifying-feline-behavior.
“Understanding Cats | Indoor Pet Initiative.” Indoorpet.osu.edu, https://www.indoorpet.osu.edu/cats/understanding-cats.
