6 Ways My Cats Demand Snuggles

I love a nice kitty snuggle, and my three cats are willing to oblige, but on their own terms. Really, would you expect anything else from our feline friends? Everything happens on their terms. And when they want a snuggle, they demand it. Cats’ demands are usually (always) difficult to ignore, so why fight them?

Here are six ways my pushy cats own my family in the kitty cuddle department.

1. Staring

Cosmo is a total stare-master. When he wants lap space, he turns his laser gaze toward me and doesn’t let up until I initiate a snuggle. When I first notice the stare, I typically extend an invitation. Sometimes, however, I know I’ll be up and down, and a kitty cuddle just wouldn’t be in the cards. He doesn’t mind — he’ll continue watching me until the cards are ready. The stare-master is impatiently patient.

2. Racing to the bed

Phoebe’s daily routine includes two snuggle demands: one right after breakfast, and one at bedtime. As soon as she’s determined it’s time, she races to my bedroom, meowing the whole time, and then jumps on the bed and waits for someone to join her. If we don’t, she continues the meowing. She’ll sometimes roll around on the bed, looking especially cute, because who can resist that? Not me, that’s for sure. She knows what she’s doing. Cats have the market cornered on manipulation by way of cute.

3. Pacing

This one is specific to Saffy. She settles in with my husband at a certain time every evening, and when we’re off her schedule, she impatiently paces around the room waiting for the evening to get back on track. This usually means I’ve overstayed my welcome and should go to bed so she can have my husband all to herself. I suppose I’m the “other woman.”

4. Burrowing

Cosmo enjoys flattening his fuzzy body against mine, especially in the middle of the night. It’s not enough that for him to cuddle up with me on top of the covers — he prefers to burrow under the covers so we can lie fur-to-skin. Sometimes I wake up to his snout rooting around, trying to make its way under the sheet and blanket. I know cats have pretty good night vision, but I think he needs one of those little headlamps. Wouldn’t that be cute? Yes!

5. Toileting

For whatever reason, many cats are obsessed with humans who are sitting on toilets. Two of my cats are such little weirdos. I’m a total cat magnet while I’m sitting upon the porcelain throne doing my “business.” Phoebe and Cosmo follow me into the powder room and command me to welcome them upon my lap. Then they curl up and purr like mad. It’s kinda strange, but I actually enjoy these kinds of snuggles. Who knew toilet snuggles could be so cozy? Maybe I’m the weirdo, and I’m really OK with that.

6. Taking what they want

Occasionally, Phoebe doesn’t even ask — she just barrels her way onto my lap. It doesn’t matter if there’s another cat occupying the space or if I’m sitting in a totally awkward position — she just takes what she wants. And if I don’t make space for her, she gets snippy and yells at me. That’s right, she yells. Bossy, that one! I guess I should be used to taking orders from cats, right? That’s how it goes when you’re owned by overbearing felines.

What are the ways in which your cats demand snuggles? Tell us about them in the comments!

Read more by Angie Bailey:

• “Hello, My Name is Angie, and I’m a Cat-Huffer”
• Cats and Bags: 2 Very Important Scientific Experiments
• The Pros and Cons of My Cats as Health Care Providers

About the Author: Angie Bailey is an eternal optimist with an adoration of all things silly. Loves pre-adolescent boy humor, puns, making up parody songs, thinking about cats doing people things and The Smiths. Writes Catladyland, a cat humor blog, Texts from Mittens (originated right here on Catster) and authored whiskerslist: the kitty classifieds, a silly book about cats wheeling and dealing online. Partner in a production company and writes and acts in comedy web series that features sketches and mockumentaries. Mother to two humans and three cats, all of which want her to make them food.