The Pleasures of Petting a Cat

It’s good news for folks who adore cats that many felines take pleasure in being pet by humans. Stress1 and even blood pressure2 can be lowered by caressing a cat, and it may have the same effect on some cats. Of course, there are certain cats that aren’t fond of being petted and will hiss, snarl, swat, or even bite if you try. Several factors contribute to cats’ sometimes strong preferences when it comes to being petted.

Why Cats Like To Be Pet

When interacting with other cats, most of them will nuzzle, rub, and groom each other as a kind of communication. These behaviours release pheromones that allow cats to recognise and communicate with one another. Most cats would rather interact with humans if they can do it on their own terms. Even though they are aware that we are not cats, they sometimes talk to us as if we were.

Most felines develop a penchant for human touch as young kittens. Mom cats clean and care for their babies by licking and grooming them. In both the mother and the kittens, an increase in the feel-good hormone oxytocin occurs during these interactions. Getting petted by a person may be quite relaxing and soothing, much like getting a good grooming.

Kittens and cats alike often express their affection for their humans by “bunting,” or rubbing and nuzzling against them. A common approach to show appreciation for this kind of affection is to pet the recipient. Petting feels great, which is why cats like it so much. However, not all cats enjoy being petted.

Why Cats Don’t Like Petting

Some cats are not amenable to being petted or handled in any way. Some cats may just have a predilection for this. This could indicate that the cat was abandoned as a kitten or was never exposed to other cats or people. Due to their upbringing in cat colonies, where human contact is minimal, feral cats completely avoid it. The animals are taught to be wary of and avoid contact with humans. It is possible to domesticate some stray cats to the point where they can live with humans, but this does not guarantee that they will ever tolerate being petted.

You might think some cats are a bit finicky. They give the impression of liking being petted one second, and then they hiss, snarl, swat, or snap at you. It’s conceivable the cat just doesn’t like that particular spot on the human’s body where the petting is taking place. It’s a common indicator that the cat has had enough petting. Overstimulation aggression, or petting-induced aggression, is what the experts name it.

Tip

Petting a cat requires some patience and the cat’s willingness to approach you. If your cat isn’t really attached to you, this is crucial. If you approach or chase after a cat, he may feel intimidated, and he will be much less likely to trust you.

How to Pet a Cat

Petting a cat properly or improperly depends on the individual feline’s preferences and requirements. While some cats may welcome human touch, others are more wary of strangers. This is because a cat has to be able to trust you before it will feel comfortable being exposed.

Cats are curious creatures, so give them a moment to investigate you on their own terms before you pet them. If you want to convey that you pose no danger, sitting down is the way to accomplish so. Don’t stretch out too far to the cat, but do keep your hands loose and around the cat’s level. The cat may nuzzle or rub against your hand, indicating that it enjoys being petted gently.

Where to Pet Cats

Every cat is unique, however there are several safe zones where petting is optimal. Soft strokes on the sides of the face tend to be the most calming for cats. If they like the attention they may even try to physically exert themselves on you. The sides of the head and neck are free to move independently of the shoulders and neck. Quite a few felines will physically move to show you where they’d most like to be pet. The cat may enjoy being petted along its back and tail if it is comfortable with and trusts you.

It is best to avoid touching a 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 signs and body language from cats as you pet them. If you notice that your cat is getting tense or trying to avoid your petitting, stop doing so. In times of uncertainty, one should refrain from taking action and instead wait for direction from the cat.