I adopted a female shelter cat Nov 2014 and she turned 2 yrs. old in March 2015. It has taken lots of patience to get her to point she is right now but she still really won't let me pick her up and cuddle. Each night though when I go to bed she's right there to snuggle and let me pet her all night. Skylar also seems to vomit at least once per week so I recently introduced a new food for sensitive stomachs which I am still trying to switch her to in hopes that will take care of this issue. When she was 1st brought here I kept her secluded in one of my bedrooms that has a few mirrors & she would totally freak out if she saw herself - I ended up covering the mirrors up with sheets. Have to think she might have been mistreated but is finally calming down quite a bit. Anyone out there have any tips to use on getting her used to being picked up? Believe it or not she will let me pick her up by the scruff of the neck but as soon as I set her in my lap she's gone!! Also wants to lick my hands when I pet her....creeps me out since her tongue is so rough.
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Another behavior story
- Thread starter alley kat
- Start Date
There are cats that do not like to be picked up or petted UNLESS they feel like it. Your girl is probably one of them.
Time and patience might change her behavior but do not be disappointed if it doesn't.
Also, a cat's tongue is made that way. http://www.petmeds.org/petmeds-spotlight/why-do-cats-have-rough-tongues/#.VTXEbCGqqko
Also, a cat's tongue is made that way. http://www.petmeds.org/petmeds-spotlight/why-do-cats-have-rough-tongues/#.VTXEbCGqqko
I agree with Yayi; your girl sounds like one who just doesn't like to be picked up. Most of my cats have not. When Mooch was a younger cat she would sit on my shoulders and I could walk with her up there wrapped around my neck like a scarf; for a few minutes anyway. But it was on her terms. Now when I sit on the couch; Mooch is on my lap. Or my hip or whatever she can reach. She will purr and knead and sometimes drool on me.
She is very loving; but I need to be seated. Noodles is similar; she can be affectionate, but it's got to be on her terms. She has to smell our hands before we can pet her most of the time; yet she was the first one to jump up in my lap and curl up for a nap when we brought them home. (My 2 are litter mates.)
I don't remember any of my childhood cats liking being picked up. Some tolerated it more than others. One was VERY friendly and she could be picked up a bit. But I don't recall ever carrying her around.
Is your goal to be able to pick her up and sit her in your lap so you can pet her? Maybe offer treats at this time. Does she enjoy grooming? If she does you could incorporate that. If she has an aversion to brushing; definitely do not pick her up to bring her where you want to groom her. Positive reinforcement is important for some kitties.
Her opinions of this could change some as she gets older. Noodles especially goes through phases where she wants to cuddle and then ones where she does not. Your girl might too.
I don't remember any of my childhood cats liking being picked up. Some tolerated it more than others. One was VERY friendly and she could be picked up a bit. But I don't recall ever carrying her around.
Is your goal to be able to pick her up and sit her in your lap so you can pet her? Maybe offer treats at this time. Does she enjoy grooming? If she does you could incorporate that. If she has an aversion to brushing; definitely do not pick her up to bring her where you want to groom her. Positive reinforcement is important for some kitties.
Her opinions of this could change some as she gets older. Noodles especially goes through phases where she wants to cuddle and then ones where she does not. Your girl might too.
