Why Does My Kitten Only Play with Me? Reasons a Kitten May be More Attached to One Person
- Abi
- February 23, 2023
- 4:02 pm
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Why does my kitten only play with me? Kittens are known to be affectionate and loyal animals, making them ideal pets for many families. Some become more bonded with one person, but there are things you can do to encourage your kitten to interact with all family members.
Unfortunately, some kittens may become overly attached to one member of the family, causing them to be uninterested in spending time with anyone else. If your kitten only plays with you, here’s why that may be happening and how you can encourage them to bond with other family members.
Why does my kitten only play with me?
One of the primary reasons kittens may be more attached to one person in the family is that they were likely taken from their mother and littermates at a young age. This can cause them to form an especially close connection with whoever was there for them during this period of separation, as they may view this person as their surrogate parent.
Kittens tend to be more outgoing around people with a calm and confident demeanor, so if one family member is particularly good at soothing the kitten and making them feel safe, that individual may naturally become the preferred companion.
They will also interact with the person who provides most of the day-to-day care, such as feeding and cuddles. Here are some reasons that your kitten may be more attached to you than other family members:
- Your kitten may have bonded to you at a young age
- You provide for your cat’s needs the most
- You understand your cat’s body language
- You respect your pet’s boundaries and show him love
- You offer positive reinforcement
How to encourage your kitten to bond with other family members
Fortunately, there are ways to encourage your kitten to bond with other family members and spend time with them. Start by introducing your kitten to approach all the people in the home while ensuring they’re never scared or uncomfortable during the process.
When it comes time to play, provide different toys and activities that can be enjoyed by everyone in the household. This will give your kitten the opportunity to explore their environment with other people and gain new confidence around them.
You can also try to make sure everybody in the family is taking part regularly in feeding, grooming, and playing with your kitten, as this will further create positive interactions between them.
Cats that haven’t had enough contact with people during the first few months of their life are more likely to be scared and anxious. This is because they may have started to associate strangers with danger, so it’s crucial to correctly socialize your pet from a young age if you want him to be friendly and well-rounded. However, your cat’s personality will also determine how friendly and affectionate he becomes.
Signs of affection
Cats are often described as being distant and aloof, but most cat owners will describe their pets as affectionate. While it is true that cats can be loners and many only accept attention on their own terms, they also make great pets.
By observing your cat’s body language, you can tell when your pet is being affectionate and wants attention and when he just wants to be left alone. Here are some signs of affection in cats and kittens:
- Your pet always seems to be in the same room as you
- Your cat slowly blinks at you
- Gentle biting
- Rolling over and displaying his belly
- Headbutting and rubbing against you
- Meowing at you
- Bring you gifts of dead rodents
- Kneading your legs when sitting on your lap
- Purring
- Grooming by licking your hair or ears
- Flicking tail
- Napping beside you
Why does my kitten only play with me: Final thoughts
By understanding why your kitten may be more attached to one person and providing an opportunity for exploration and bonding with other family members, you’ll be able to create a stronger bond between your kitten and everyone in the home. In doing so, you can ensure that your furry friend is safe and happy!
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