Do cats change over the years?

Hello, this is one for the cat veterans of you here! I was wondering, do cats change over time? Does their behaviour change? Like, my cat doesn't sit on my lap or cuddle up to me that much. He prefers his own space really and comes up when he wants some affection. Will he always be like that or might he change? Is his personality now what it will always be or will that change over time? Don't get me wrong, I love my kitty to bits and i wouldn't have him any other way, I just wonder if cats change as they get older or not? Thanks if anyone has any knowledge or experience!

My Joji is not a lap cat and never will. She was adopted as an adult and quite an aggressive one with people. Now that she is getting old (and maybe deaf) she has mellowed. She sleeps with me and once in a while will kiss me. But still I can only carry her for 3 seconds and will tolerate 1 minute of petting.

Originally Posted by Althekitty

Hello, this is one for the cat veterans of you here! I was wondering, do cats change over time? Does their behaviour change? Like, my cat doesn't sit on my lap or cuddle up to me that much. He prefers his own space really and comes up when he wants some affection. Will he always be like that or might he change? Is his personality now what it will always be or will that change over time? Don't get me wrong, I love my kitty to bits and i wouldn't have him any other way, I just wonder if cats change as they get older or not? Thanks if anyone has any knowledge or experience!

Click to expand...

I have two cats. One is like the one you describe.
The other seems to be more of a lap cat.
Cats are individuals like people.

I have 2 cats that have changed dramatically as they got older. Pearl always lived under the bed or in a closet, and just a few months ago, she decided to join the cat family, and now acts like a normal cat, plays, eats with the group, gives Scooter the occasional bop on the head for trying to steal her food. Scooter has never been much to be handled, except petting, now he wants to be held and cuddled and loved on. I am so pleased they both changed for the better. Pearl is nearly 8, and Scooter is around 4. The other 2 are the same lovey little selves they have always been, except for a little cat moodiness.

How old is your kitty? My Smudge is a Ragdoll which is supposedly a pretty lovey breed, but since he's still a kitten, he's more "kitten" than "Ragdoll" if you know what I mean. It takes a while for kittens to mellow out.

Gabby is eight, and she's changed/mellowed a lot over the last few years. I don't know that she will ever be a lap cat, but she has napped on me a few times, and has gotten more friendly and loving.