Petting a cat may seem like a simple thing, but for children or those who are not very familiar with these animals it is important to know how to do and what not to do to approach and touch a cat. If stroked in the wrong place or with too much force or speed, some cats can fidget and may bite or scratch in reaction. Experts recommend that the cat is in control of the interaction: you have to make it understand that you ask permission to touch it. There are some places where it's hard to go wrong: the areas where cats have scent glands are perfect for petting. Diffusing their scent allows them to create an environment that is familiar to them, which makes them feel happy and serene. Knowing where to touch them and when to stay away from them can help create a cat-human relationship that satisfies both of you.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Focus on Areas with Odor Glands
Step 1. Start scratching it gently under the chin
Use the tips of your fingers and hands to gently rub his chin, especially where the jaw connects to the skull. It is possible that the cat is putting pressure against your caress or sticking out its chin, in both cases it is manifesting pleasure.
Step 2. Focus on the area between or behind the ears
Use your fingertips and apply gentle pressure to this area. The base of the ears is another point that gives off odor for cats. If you see him beating his head against you, it means that he is "marking" you as a member of his family.
Advise:
if he repeatedly presses his head against you, he is indicating that you belong to him.
Step 3. Stroke it on the muzzle just behind the whiskers
If he likes this caress, you will probably notice that he twists his mustache forward, as if asking you to stroke him even more.
Step 4. Gently slide the back of your hand along the side of the muzzle
When the cat has gained some confidence, use your middle finger to touch its "whiskers" (just above the upper lips) while with your thumb you can surround its entire muzzle and stroke the top of its head. You have now achieved maximum intimacy with the cat.
Step 5. Touch it from the forehead to the tail
Stroke his forehead, then run your hand to the base of his tail and continue this motion repeatedly. Massage the muscles in his neck, squeezing it gently. Apply light pressure and continue to massage with slowed movements. Only move in one direction (from forehead to tail following the fur), as some cats don't like stroking against the grain.
- Do not touch its tail and do not move your hand along its side.
- If the cat likes what you are doing, he will arch his back to add more pressure to your hand. When you bring your hand back to square one, the cat can firmly rub its forehead against your hand to encourage you to do it again. If you see him moving his ears back, hiding from your hand, or just pulling away, stop stroking him.
- You can gently scratch it when you bring your hand down your back, but don't stop at one point and stop the caress there. Make sure you always keep your hand moving.
- You can apply gentle pressure to the base of the tail, as long as you use great caution. This is another area of the scent glands and there are cats who like to be touched at this very spot. Others, on the other hand, have a habit of suddenly snapping their teeth into their hand when they don't want me to continue.
Part 2 of 3: Let the Cat Approach
Step 1. Have the cat sniff you before petting it, so that it can feel comfortable with you
Reach out a hand or finger and give it a chance to touch your nose.
If he shows no interest in your hand or just looks at you suspiciously, dismiss the idea of stroking it for now. Try again another time, when the cat is in a different mood
Advise:
If the cat sniffs your hand, meows, and then rubs its chin, the side of its head against your hand, or rubs the side of its body against yours, it is probably willing to be touched. In this case, open the palm of your hand and caress it gently.
Step 2. Wait for the cat to push its head against your hand
This is a clear sign that it needs attention. If you're busy right now, pet him at least once or twice to let him know you're not ignoring him.
Step 3. Stroke it once if it jumps on your lap and lies down on it
See if she gets agitated. In this case, he probably just wants to lie down on your lap and relax, as humans are a great source of heat for cats. If he doesn't squirm, you can continue to lightly touch his spine or the areas that will be addressed in the next section.
Step 4. Caress him when he is lying on his side
Cats love to be petted when they are on their side. Gently you can touch it on the side facing up. If he meows or purrs, it means he is having fun and feeling pleasure.
However, avoid stroking his belly (this aspect will be dealt with better in the third section of the article)
Step 5. Let the cat make some deep but audible internal noises (called purring)
Purring the cat manifests a feeling of pleasure, feels sociable and asks for attention. When the purr is accompanied by hip movements, head strokes or the cat twists around your ankles, it means that it is asking for strokes. Sometimes a single caress is enough, such as a tap on the paw or a simple greeting, rather than a long hug and a whole pampering session.
The louder his purr, the higher the happiness level. If they are indeed very noisy, it means that the cat is really happy at the moment. A soft buzz denotes contained happiness, but a strong purr means he is very happy. However, if you notice that they get excessively loud, he has probably passed his happiness level, sometimes he can quickly get to feel some annoyance, so be careful
Step 6. Be careful to observe the signals it sends when it no longer wants to be touched
Even petting a cat that feels good can sometimes become excessive and even irritating, especially if it's repetitive. If you're not paying attention, the cat can tell you to stop by giving you a gentle bite or a small scratch. Often, however, he sends several subtle signals before biting to indicate that he no longer wants to be stroked. Pay attention to these warnings beforehand, and if you see them, stop touching it:
- The ears flatten against the head.
- The tail twists.
- He gets agitated.
- Start growling or hissing.
Part 3 of 3: Learn What to Avoid
Step 1. Stroke it in the direction from head to tail and don't change direction
Some cats do not like being stroked in reverse.
Step 2. Don't tap him
Some cats like it, but not all of them, and if you're not used to being around these felines, it's best not to try this technique if you don't want to risk getting a bite or a scratch.
Step 3. Avoid touching his belly
When cats are relaxed, they sometimes roll onto their backs, exposing their tummies to air. This position is not always an invitation to rub it, indeed, many cats do not like it at all. This is an instinctive reaction because in nature cats have to be careful to protect themselves from potential predators (as opposed to dogs, who are more confident in this regard and love to be patted on the belly). The stomach is a vulnerable area, where all vital organs are found, so many cats instinctively show their teeth and claws if touched here.
- Some cats enjoy having their bellies touched, but they interpret it as an invitation to play firmly or fight by catching and clawing. They tend to wrap their claws around the hand or arm, biting and scratching it vigorously with their front and back legs. This isn't always an attack; it's a kind of "simulated fight".
- If a cat grabs you with its paws, stand still and wait for it to remove its claws. If necessary, grab it with your other hand and gently pull its hind leg to unhook its nails. Cats often scratch even deeply, even without intending to, if the claws get stuck. On the other hand, they use their nails to grab and grab things, when instead they use them to make you understand that you should stop moving your hand, they stop if you stop too.
Step 4. Approach his paws with caution
Don't play with his paws if you don't know the cat well and don't know for sure if he likes it. Start by simply stroking him to relax, then let him know that you are waiting for his consent before touching his paws, stroking one at a time with your finger.
Many cats do not like having their paws touched at all, but they can be trained to do this with the purpose of being able to trim their nails, setting a slow system of subsequent rewards
Advise:
if the cat does not object, gently stroke that paw with a finger following the direction of the hair (from the body to the tip). If at any time the cat withdraws its paw, hisses, flattens its ears, or walks away, stop.
Advice
- If you are a stranger to the cat, you need to have some patience. These animals accept some caresses from their owners, as they are familiar, but they don't always accept them so easily from new people.
- Some cats meow when they want you to stop, while others do it when they want to be stroked more and more firmly. A low-pitched meow can indicate anger. In general, it's a good idea to stop by, just in case.
- If you are petting your cat, it is still a good idea to pay attention to the changes in his reactions to your usual and typical strokes. An area that he normally likes could become painful due to some new injury or other health problem. The animal may let out a painful meow or move away, even scratch or bite, if you stroke it in a particularly sensitive area. Outdoor cats are particularly prone to abscesses due to encounters with other cats. If you discover a painful area or abscess, take your cat to the vet.
- A purring cat isn't always happy, so don't make the mistake of thinking that purring won't scratch or bite you. Many believe that purring is a signal that the animal uses to communicate to "pay attention", and it could be because it is happy, but in reality it could also indicate that it is annoyed.
- Many cats dislike being stroked near the tail. To check if you like it, try stroking it in that spot and if you see it flinch, jump, or express discomfort or anger, it's a clear sign that you need to stop. Avoid touching it near that area and warn guests to do the same.
- Not all cats like to be picked up from the ground. If yours tries to jump off your hands, it's telling you that he doesn't want to be held right now.
- If he starts flapping his tail up and down or sideways, you should stop stroking him as he is probably getting irritated.
- Petting a cat can release relaxation hormones that reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and decrease the chances of a heart attack or stroke.
Warnings
- Do not pet the cat if you are allergic.
- Babies need to be supervised when petting a kitten. They can easily shake it, causing it to bite or scratch. Cats that are friendly to adults aren't always friendly to children. Pay special attention that children don't put their face too close to a cat.
- If you are injured from a severe bite or scratch, wash the affected area with antibacterial soap and apply an antiseptic. Then, see a doctor. Deep scratches require medical attention due to the risk of serious infections.
- If the cat seems aggressive, stay away as it could injure you by biting or scratching you.
