Will an affectionate kitten become an affectionate cat?

parisiankitties

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Hi Everyone!

I am new to this site but I have been busy googling trying to figure out the answer to this question and was hoping to hear about your experiences with your kitties.

I have a beautiful two year old male kitty who is very affectionate and sweet. I pick him up on my shoulder and cuddle him like a baby and he often sits beside me resting on me on the couch.

I just adopted a beautiful little kitten who is not yet three months old and she is also affectionate. She keeps sleeping on me, climbing me like a spider and even resting on my shoulder, snuggling against my face in bed, licking me and head butting me. She is really just gorgeous!

So anyway, I am wondering if she is likely to stay that way, if the behaviour of such a young kitten predicts her behaviour / personality later. Have I lucked out on two sweet, affectionate kitties? Or might she become aloof later?

What are your experiences with your beautiful fur babies? Have they been consistent or changed?

Thanks in advance!!
 

southbound

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I think it is a good indication but not necessarily. My 2 year old girl has become more independent as she has gotten older. Still affectionate but not as much as she was when she was a baby.
 

p3 and the king

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I believe their personalities that develop have a lot to do with us.  So, if you're affectionate back, she will be, too.  I have had kittens that were not overly affectionate but because of how I am with them, they are now very affectionate adults.  Cats also change as they age, too... My Piper was one of those not overly affectionate cats as a kitten and a younger cat... Then about 4 or 5 years old, she suddenly became much more affectionate.  It's like she decided one day that she loves kisses and hugs (before she'd loudly protest if I held her, let alone held her close or kissed her).  She is affectionate to this day (she's 9yrs old now).  All of my kitties are affectionate at different degrees but I believe it's because I am affectionate with them, that they are with me.
 
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parisiankitties

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P3 and the King and Southbound, thanks for your responses.

Southbound, that is interesting to hear that your kitty is still affectionate but more independant. I figure she will probably grow out of this endless cuddling on me so I will enjoy it while it lasts! I was fostering her and then adopted her and the lady from the association mentioned kittens love to feel a warm body still and that she wasn't surprised that the little one likes to sleep on my chest.

P3 and the King, I think that is interesting what you said about how you influence your kitty. I had wondered about that. I am happy to hear that your affection is returned. I have always been very hands on with my older kitty, I love to pick him up and cuddle him and he is a very easygoing boy and even loves belly rubs. He purs nonstop. I have often wondered how much of that is just his personality and how much of it was brought out by how I am. I am crossing my fingers that by being very present and affectionate with the little one she will stay used to being close to me.
 

southbound

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She is still close to me but has changed a bit since we moved into a new house and got her two kittens to be a big sister to. I have 4 older cats who haven't changed much but since we moved and introduced the babies into the mix she has become a bit more independent. The little ones follow her around all the time. Quite cute really.
 
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parisiankitties

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Awww, that sounds super cute! So that means you have seven kitties? Wow! It must be so interesting to compare all the personalities and see them interact.

For the first year of my kitty's life with me we had a flatmate with a seven year old male cat who didn't want to play much. Then we lived with a flatmate with a fifteen year old cat who would swipe at my kitty when he would come close. It is now just so lovely to see my kitty, Shushu, and the kitten, B, running around, play fighting and just being cute together. I also find it so interesting to see how they are different. She is so bold and not remotely skittish, even if I make a sudden noise. She also has a huge appetite for such a tiny being, I can't eat without holding my plate in the air! Shushu is just not that interested in my food and doesn't eat much, even wet food he just licks. I find it fascinating. 
 

southbound

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Yeah I have seven. It is interesting to see how they all interact with each other. They seem to take turns being the dominate animal in the house.
 

raintyger

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I agree with P3 and The King, but there's also a random element. My friend's kitty, for instance, was friendly when he chose her at the shelter. But now she's Demon Kitty and hisses at everyone but him. (Or would that argue for the nurture theory? He's a bachelor and hardly gets social calls, so maybe since she was raised that way she's scared of everyone?)

In any case, I would encourage her affectionate behavior for the best results. When we initially got my kitty I picked her up and cuddled with her before bedtime, and after that she slept with us every night. When she cuddles, cuddle back or scratch her chin or ears. If she cuddles in bed tuck her in if she likes that. I've done stuff like rub my cheek against kitties.
 
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parisiankitties

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southbound, how curious that they take turns being dominant! I would have imagined that there would be an established pecking order, it actually sounds quite sweet that they switch it up. Must be very funny to watch.

Raintyger, you brought up an interesting point, that a cat might only be affectionate with certain people. For the moment the baby girl is bold, fearless and has no problem with any visitors I invite over to admire her. She does sometimes bite people lightly who try to pick her up and I'm not sure if that is just playful or telling them to keep their hands off. So that maybe later that will develop into a headstrong personality.

I suppose your friend is just happy his kitty likes him. My friend has a dog and the dog is scared of other dogs and people but my friend says it's probably because they always pulled her away from other dogs and didn't really expose her to them or other people much. They are just happy she is loving and loyal to them though, so maybe that is a combination of how animals are raised and their personalities.

My grown up kitty is scared of strangers but after a few hours with a few occasional sniffs he comes over and rolls around their feet for belly rubs. I would love it if the kitten becomes an adult cat who is that affectionate with other people but honestly, so long as she stays affectionate with me, that is my main priority :-)

And like you Raintyger, I also snuggle with my kitties and give them all the cuddles and scratches and whatnot that they could desire. I love it!
 

parsleysage

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I know this is an older thread but I just wanted to pipe up and say that while my cats' patterns of affection wax and wane, in general they were MUCH more willing to be held and cuddled as kittens than they are now. They love to be petted and two of them will cuddle ON us (Simon won't, though he will cuddle NEXT to us), but they do not like being picked up, at all, or "actively" cuddled like being cradled or held while petting. I adore my cats but I do wish I had a more affectionate "lap kitty" like my childhood cat Pumpkin, who will purr and purr and purr while I cradle him like a baby for hours if I want, lol.

So, I strongly believe that personality can change as a cat gets older and that a cat's characteristics and patterns can do a total about-face between kittenhood and adulthood. Just goes to show how independent our feline friends are!
 
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parisiankitties

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parselysage, thank you for your response! I find that very interesting.

Already after just two weeks I am finding that the kitten alternates more between snuggling near me and getting some space. Right at this moment she is on the couch a little away from me and my grown up kitty is beside me. I suspect she might be like your kitties and become a bit more distant as she gets older.

I will still have my lovely boy to cuddle though! He can last minutes being held like a baby on my shoulder, nuzzling my face :-)

I definitely understand your desire for a lap cat. Kitties are awesome but I definitely prioritise cuddles and hands on affection so I would be a little sad if I had a kitty / kitties who preferred to hang out away from me.
 
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