How to Make Your Kitten Affectionate

New kittens are a source of endless entertainment. They are full of life and energy and they love to scamper around chasing toys, batting at strings and darting behind furniture. Sometimes, however, an owner wants a kitten to have some quiet time and show affection by cuddling, rubbing up against legs or meowing. While not all kittens crave as much affection as others do from humans, there are ways to encourage it. For the kitten to feel safe and secure when showing affection, it is important that you establish a bond with it.

Instructions

    • 1

      Socialize the kitten as soon as you bring it home. Start to handle it as early as four days after birth if you bred it at home. Handle the kitten and give it plenty of human contact when it is between 3 and 7 weeks old and at its most impressionable developmental phase. Handling the kitten every day in a gentle, consistent, patient manner will help prevent the animal from developing fear or anxiety around humans. This will put the kitten at ease and allow it to show affection more readily.

    • 2

      Provide the kitten with plenty of play time. Use a laser pointer, a piece of yarn or other kitten toys to engage the kitten. Show it that you are a fun person to be around. Eventually, the kitten will start to seek you out for playtime and affection rather than you going to it each time. Don't wear the kitten out and demand that it play when it is showing no interest in the activity, as that may cause the kitten to learn to avoid you.

    • 3

      Encourage the kitten to nap on your lap when it is worn out from playtime. Like many young animals, kittens can be bursting with energy one moment and fast asleep the next. Take advantage of this by letting the kitten curl up on your warm lap. This will help encourage the kitten to view you as a place of relaxation where it can be quiet and affectionate.