Why cats snuggle

Learn more. There is arguably nothing better than a warm cat cuddling on your lap while you relax on the sofa.

While cats have a reputation for being rather aloof and independent creatures and some are somewhat deserving of that reputation, many cats defy stereotype and love to cuddle with their owners! As much as cats love to snuggle, kittens love it even more! This is because they cannot regulate their own body temperature until about 3 weeks old, so they cuddle up to their mother, siblings, and human owners to get warm. Cuddling is typically a learned behavior in cats, and chances are high that if you cuddle with your kitten, they will be more inclined to it when they get older.

Also, cats just love to be warm and your lap is the ideal place! Cats and kittens want to feel safe and will seek out a place to nap where they feel protected. Your cat instinctively knows that your lap is about the safest place to be, free from the reach of dogs and other animals. This is also a largely learned behavior from kittenhood, but if your cat has trust in you, they are likely to find a feeling of safety and protection if you are close by. Reward your kitty for snuggling by showering him with some attention, including gently petting him, scratching him behind the ears or even humming him a soft melody.

Most cats enjoy the act of snuggling with their owners and other pets, but improperly socialized kitties might take some coaxing from you to do so. Tempting treats work well as a way to lure your timid furbaby over to you and to reward him for snuggling next to you or on your lap.

Snuggle time also makes for a good opportunity to brush your cat's fur, keeping it free of mats, and gives you a chance to check his skin and coat for problems, recommends the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Many kitties enjoy snuggling with you at night, but only do so if your little one doesn't disturb you by walking or pouncing on you if he wakes up early, so that you can get a good night's rest. Based in Las Vegas, Susan Paretts has been writing since She writes about many subjects including pets, finances, crafts, food, home improvement, shopping and going green.

Her articles, short stories and reviews have appeared on City National Bank's website and on The Noseprint. Unfortunately, all cats do not love to cuddle, and you will likely find it something that happens quite rarely. Even cats that like to cuddle will usually only do it occasionally and for short intervals. In time, the cat will get used to being on your lap and may choose to sit and cuddle. However, we noticed our cats like to snuggle much more often in the winter.

We hope you have enjoyed reading over this guide, and it has answered your questions. If we have helped you understand your pet better, please share our look into why cats love to cuddle on Facebook and Twitter. Ed Malaker is a veteran writer who has contributed to a wide range of blogs that cover pets, tools, guitars, fitness, and computer programming.

Top 5 Reasons Cats Cuddle: 1. Stay Warm Despite many cats having a thick coat of fur, they are not fond of cold weather and often seek shelter.

Image Credit: Sam Lion, Pexels 2. Image Credit: cottonbro, Pexels 3. Attention Many cats will attempt to snuggle with you to get attention if it feels you have been neglecting it. Image Credit: Debra Anderson, Shutterstock 4.

It Gets a Better View Cats are territorial animals that prefer to have a clear view over their territory. Image Credit: evrymmnt, Shutterstock 5. They also share warmth and affection with other cats by cuddling and sleeping with them, so if they do the same with you, it's a safe bet that they think of you as someone important.

If a cat isn't that into you, they won't be affectionate — in fact, they probably won't be around at all. But if you and your cat are compatible, your cat will be showing their love all the time. This can include bunting, which is when they rub their heads against you, or when they walk up and rub against your legs.

They might jump up on the couch and curl up right next to you, or nudge your hands to get you to touch them. If your cat is compatible with you, they'll also roll around near you, staring into your eyes. Bonus points if you get squinty eyes with a slow blink! This is basically a cat's kiss. According to PetMD, cats groom each other as a way to relieve stress and exchange scents. Pam Johnson-Bennett, author of feline behavior guides, told PetMD that when your cat tries to groom you by licking you and such, it's a sign of affection — she wants to mingle her scent with yours.

Grooming is a big compliment and a big sign that your cat loves you.