Why is My Cat Less Affectionate Now?

When your cat stops hanging out with you as frequently, and seemingly wants less attention or affection, it can be a little bit alarming. Some cats are incredibly affectionate and when that noticeably slows down or stops, we are left wondering what happened. Sometimes it’s nothing to worry about, but sometimes it can be an indicator of more serious health issues. Let’s take a look at some of the reasons a cat might stop being as affectionate.

Health Problems

While we don’t want to cause any panic, if your cat is suddenly no longer affectionate, or noticeably less so, please take them to the vet. It’s extremely important to not take any chances with an underlying health issue that might get worse over time. We should qualify this by saying you need not take your cat to the vet if they normally sit with you on the couch, but now they are sitting on a different pillow. We are talking about them starting to isolate, avoid contact or show other signs of strange behaviour.

A survival mechanism when living in the wild, Cats hide their illnesses very well. As we humans are a bit more intelligent than they are, we can still detect changes in their behaviour that might have otherwise gone unnoticed by wild predators.

Pain can change a cat’s behaviour in a major way, for example, sore teeth usually stop them from eating and things like arthritis and joint pain will keep them from running and jumping. If your cat is showing a sudden change in behaviour, there might be something causing them pain that a vet can assist with.

Aging

Older cats tend to be more affectionate but with certain people. When cats get older, much like us, they slow down. Most older cats love nothing more than to sit with their favourite person and receive lots of love and attention. That person, usually, is someone who also moves a little more carefully. Older cats don’t want to be shoved off a lap or carried around by young kids. They like their world to be predictable and calm.

Additionally, older cats might not want as much attention because they expel less energy throughout the day – favouring lying around and lounging versus playtime and cuddling. This isn’t anything to be worried about so long as you know they are in good health. Some cats just want to rest by themselves!

On the other side of things, kittens may be extremely affectionate while young but as they get older they might need less attention and affection. This is also natural and not something to worry about so long as they are in good health. They are merely getting older and more independent. Think about teenagers and young adults – they usually spend less time with their parents and more with peers or working.

Stress/Anxiety Issues

Cats are very sensitive animals, both mentally and physically, and sometimes stress or anxious feelings might cause them to hide. If they live in a home with lots of loud noises, yelling, or high tension, despite wanting love and affection, they might become stressed out and anxious. If this is the case, they will withdraw and spend less time around the people who make them nervous.

Overstimulation

Sometimes a change in routine, a move, too much physical interaction, too many loud noises, or anything else that overstimulates can cause a cat to withdraw. Even the friendliest of cats have a limit on how much change/attention they can handle before they start to feel like they are at the end of their rope.

As a cat owner, it’s important to pay close attention to how they are doing and to make sure you provide a balanced life for them. If you live with young kids who want to pick them up all the time, make sure the cat has access to a place where they can get away from prying hands and relax. Somewhere up high or perhaps at the back of a box with a small opening.

Final Thoughts

There are a number of reasons a cat might stop being affectionate, but they are not usually because they’ve stopped loving you. Cats react to things. When in pain, they avoid things that are the cause. When they feel overstimulated or in danger, they’ll avoid those situations in future. Sick kitties usually pull away and isolate to ride out the illness and not show weakness to potential predators. These are all reactions to things outside of their control. As a cat owner, it’s up to you to notice when their behaviour changes and to get them the right help.