Exactly why It’s Good for Cats to Be Petted

It’s good news for folks who love cats that most cats appreciate being pet by humans. It’s well knowledge that cuddling a cat helps relieve stress1 and even bring down blood pressure2.

in people, and maybe even some cats, too. Naturally, there are certain cats that do not appreciate being petted and may hiss, snarl, swat, or even bite if you try. Cats’ strong preferences about human touch can be attributed to a number of factors.

Why Cats Like To Be Pet

Cats are generally sociable pets who show their affection for one another by grooming, rubbing, and nuzzling. All of these behaviours release pheromones that other cats might pick up on to learn more about and interact with one another. As independent creatures, cats would rather interact with humans in their own way. They are aware that we are not cats, but they talk to us as though we were.

Many domestic cats develop a soft spot for human contact as young kittens. Mother cats clean and nourish their young by licking and grooming them. During these interactions, the mother and her kittens experience a surge in the feel-good hormone oxytocin. Human touch, in the form of petting, may be very relaxing and calming, much like being groomed.

The act of “bunting,” or nuzzling and rubbing against you, is one manner in which cats express their affection for their humans. Providing affection in the form of petting is a wonderful way to show your appreciation. For the same reason, cats love getting petted. Yet there are felines who would rather be petted very little, if at all.

Why Cats Don’t Like Petting

Some cats are extremely shy and refuse to be petted or even touched. Some cats may just have a predilection for this. It could also indicate that the cat was abandoned as a kitten or never had any exposure to other cats or people. Because they were raised in cat colonies, where human contact was extremely rare, feral cats have developed a complete aversion to humans. They become conditioned to fear and shun people. Even if a stray cat is domesticated to the point where it can live with humans, it may never get used to being pet.

The temperament of certain cats can be viewed as inconsistent. They give the impression that they enjoy being pet, but then they hiss, snarl, swat, or snap at you the next second. The cat might not enjoy that particular spot being petted. It’s a common indicator that the cat has had enough petting. This is what scientists refer to as “pet-induced hostility” or “overstimulation aggression.”

Tip

The proper way to pet a cat is to wait for the cat to approach you. If your cat isn’t really attached to you, this is crucial. If you approach or chase after a cat, it could make him feel frightened, which would make him even less likely to trust you.

How to Pet a Cat

Petting a cat properly or improperly depends on the individual feline’s temperament, preferences, and needs. Some cats even welcome human touch, but only from those they know and trust. A cat can’t feel secure in a precarious position unless it has a certain amount of trust.

Before you pet a cat, give it a chance to investigate you by sniffing and watching. If you want to indicate that you pose no danger, sitting down is the best option. Do not stretch out too far to the cat, but keep your hands loose and near the cat’s level. The cat may nuzzle or brush against your hand, which is a good sign that it may allow you to pet it gently.

Where to Pet Cats

Though every cat is unique, most do have preferences in where they’d like to be petted. Caressing a cat gently on the sides of the face seems to be the best way to make them feel at ease. If they like the attention, they may even try to physically exert themselves on you in return. Using your neck and shoulders as guides, you can slowly roll your head from side to side. Many felines will physically move to show you where they’d most like to be pet. The cat may love being petted along its back and tail if it is comfortable with and trusts you.

You should avoid touching the cat along the back if you are not particularly intimate with it, as cats are less likely to tolerate outsiders petting them there. Keep an eye out for nonverbal cues and body language when caressing a cat. If the cat starts to arch its back or get tense, you should stop patting it. Never force a situation where you don’t know what the cat will do next.