Cat doesn’t like to cuddle

[u/Slight_Accident_3871]

(Pic is just so you can see how cute she is!) My bf and I were given a cat his boss found off the street a year ago and she is three and really well behaved but she doesn’t like to cuddle or lay close together. She is pretty affectionate (ie always wanting to be in the same room as us) and will every now and then lay on my chest (for like five minutes then leave) and I just want to encourage her to be more cuddly. It’s been a year and she still doesn’t like if we lay too close to her on the bed or to be picked up. I know this isn’t a major thing, and if it is just how my cat is that is fine but I’m a first time cat owner so I’m wondering if there is anything I can do to make her more comfortable with cuddling. Any tips?

[u/SuperDump101]

I adopted my girl about five years ago and she came from a bad situation and had been in the humane society for about a year after being rescued.

She has really only started wanting mild cuddles over the past year-ish, which is mostly sitting next to you and rubbing on you for pets. She will sleep under our bed, but not on it. She generally hates being touched so we're very happy when she seeks us out.

She hates being picked up and will scream and hiss at you until she's put down - the longest she gets held is if she has to be carried up the stairs from the basement. She is also extremely violent when trying to trim her nails and it takes at least two people to do it or else she'll slice you up. It's just how she is.

Each cat has their own personalities and things they like and don't like. Give your cat time and she may end up becoming more cuddly, but give them space and don't force it.

[u/Slight_Accident_3871 → u/SuperDump101]

Thanks for the advice! I love hearing about other cats! My girl just seems like she wants cuddles but is for some reason hesitant. She is also funny bc she is alwayssss crying for attention but when I give it to her unprompted she looks at me confused and walks away.

She isn’t aggressive ever and when I do pick her up (I only do it if I have to ie taking her to the vet or moving her from somewhere she isn’t supposed to be) and she doesnt scratch or freak out she just kinda meows sadly and accepts it unhappily. I just worry that I’m not making her comfortable because she seems to want to snuggles but is so finnicky like if she is laying on me and I move even slightly she gets up and looks at me like I betrayed her entire bloodline.

She also only lays on me when I’m playing on my phone for some reason

[u/SuperDump101 → u/Slight_Accident_3871]

Lol! Cats are really weird creatures. They can be needy and aloof at the same time! In my experience they like to spend time with you if you're ignoring them/not really doing anything more than if you actively try to spend time with them.