Find out how your cat care to be pet — and if they like being touched at all .
Cats of all kinds beg to be touch on . Most have soft , downy tomentum that finger love to get miss in , and when they nuzzle up close and loudlypurr , we take it as a signboard that they do it the attention . But is contentment really what she ’s feel when you rub her head or belly ? Maybe not . conceive it or not , there ’s a right way and a awry way to pet a cat , and many people do n’t know the deviation .
Whether you ’re a new quat owner reckon for all the answers about consider care of your feline kinsfolk penis or you ’re a longtime cat lover just hop to improve thebond between you and your kitty , anyone interacting with a guy could use a lesson on how they care to be touched . The secrets to cat contentment might surprise you . Here ’s how to pet a cat .
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Introduce Yourself Before Petting
If you ’ve ever been around an unfamiliar cat , you know it can be a plot of mixed signals . One moment , she seems like she fuck you — and the next , you get a collation or scratch to the arm . Nippingor scratching does n’t of necessity mean that the cat does n’t wish you or does n’t require to be around you . It may but mean that you ’re not touching them the elbow room they ’d favour to be touched .
To start , you involve to usher in yourself . If you go direct to pet her , she may feel threatened and retaliate . Take thing slow and allow the cat to make the decisions . Gently put out your finger towards her olfactory organ so she can get a good whiff of you and know that you are n’t a threat . Let the cat make the selection on her terms — you’re much more likely to have a positive interaction if you let the cat come to you .
Where Do Cats Prefer To Be Petted?
Once you ’ve drive to know each other a bit , Fluffy will be able to slack up . call up that when it comes to petting a cat , less is more . Unlike domestic dog ( who be given to crave attention and scratches ) , cats may be hesitant about human interaction . This will necessitate some restraint if you ’re the type of mortal who sees a small animate being and thinks : Must . Pet . Now . Give them as much choice as potential , and they may reward you with some nestle .
" Cats tend to wish balmy , aristocratical stroke that move in the same direction of their fur , rather than back and onward petting , " Samantha Nigbur , anASPCABehavioral Sciences Team Counselor , says .
Generally , the best places to pet a cat are where the odor secretory organ are site around the face . If you stretch your hand and they meet it with pressure to their head or face , this mean they are deposit their aroma onto you , a practice called bunting . Bunting leaves a scent marking their territory , but it ’s also a way of prove warmness .
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blot where most cats wish to be petted let in the scent glands that are place between the ears , at the base of the ear , on their cheeks , and under the mentum . They may also enjoy sluttish insistence down their neck and back , stopping right before their tail .
There’s a Right Way to Pet a Cat … Does That Mean There’s a Wrong Way?
Yes ! Cats are very special about forcible signature , and one wrong move can have them running in the diametric direction . If your computerized tomography does n’t enjoy being petted , respect her desire not to be touched much . " quat are like citizenry — some enjoy a peck of forcible striking with others , and some enjoy only a footling , " Nigbur says .
Cats typically do n’t like being pet on their tummy , legs / feet , or buns . Of course , there are always outliers — some cats will love every scrap of affection , no matter where they ’re touched or who ’s doing it . But generally , you should n’t pet a cat you do n’t know on their stomach or extremities .
If you ’re timid whether or not they ’re enjoying it , determine theirbody language . Keep an eye out for these signs of tension :
How to Tell if Your Cat Likes Being Petted
Do n’t be overwhelmed by the potential signs of tension . Nigbur says there are many ways a cat can show you that they ’re loving what you ’re doing , include :
If the cat is doing any ( or all ) of the above , that have in mind you ’re petting her correctly and she want to let you know it . Maintain a steady degree of touch and attention in order not to overwhelm her , and she ’ll become more prosperous in your presence .
" It ’s important to call up each cat is an individual and has their own preference for how they like to be petted , " Nigbur read . " They may prefer unlike types of petting fundamental interaction with dissimilar mass . "
Bottom line : Take the cat ’s lead when it comes to adjoin .
