Petting a cat

Content

To step
Part 1 of 3: Focus on the areas with scent glands
Part 2 of 3: Let the cat come to you
Part 3 of 3: Knowing what not to do
Tips
Warnings

Petting a cat may seem very simple, but for children or people who have not been around a cat that often, it is important to know what to do and what not to do when you touch a cat. If you pet the cat in the wrong places or if you are too rough, some cats will become aggressive and will bite or scratch. Experts recommend letting it depend on the cat: Get permission to touch it, and let the cat take charge. There are a few places that are actually always good: in places where cats have their scent glands, they like to be touched. By depositing their scent, their entire environment starts to smell familiar, making them happy and satisfied. Knowing where to touch them and where not to make contact with a cat a lot more pleasant.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Focus on the areas with scent glands

Start by gently scratching the chin. Gently rub his chin with your fingertips or nails, especially where the jawbone meets the skull. Your cat may be pushing back on your fingers or sticking out its chin, both signs that it likes it.
Focus on the area between or behind the ears. Use your fingertips and apply light pressure. There are also scent glands at the base of the ears. If he gives you cups, it means he thinks you are his.
Stroke his cheeks just behind the whiskers. If your cat likes this, he may turn his whiskers forward, actually asking for more.
Run the back of your hand along the sides of his head. Once the cat has warmed up, run your middle finger along its "mustache" (just above the top lip), covering its entire face with your hands and stroking the top of its head with your thumbs. The cat is yours now.
Stroke the cat from head to tail. Stroke his forehead, then run your hand from his head to the base of his tail, and repeat. Massage his neck muscles by squeezing them gently. Apply gentle pressure and make repetitive, smooth movements. Always stroke in one direction (from head to tail) as many cats don't like it when you stroke the other way.
- Do not touch the tail or run your hand down the side of its body.
- If the cat likes it, he will curl his back to give counter pressure. If you bring your hand forward again, he may cup your hand to encourage you to do it again. However, if he flattens his ears, tries to avoid your hand, or runs away, stop petting.
- You can gently scratch his back while stroking backwards, but don't keep scratching in one place. Keep your hand moving.
- Apply a little more pressure to the base of the tail, but do it gently. This is another scent gland, and some cats like to be scratched there. However, other cats may lash out with their teeth to your hand if you do this.

Part 2 of 3: Let the cat come to you

Let the cat smell you so it can get used to you. Reach out a hand or finger and let the cat sniff you.
- If the cat is not interested in your hand or if it looks a little suspiciously at it, consider not petting it. Try another time when the cat is in a better mood.
- However, if he sniffs your hand, meows, and brushes his chin against your hand, chances are he wants to be touched. Open your palm and gently touch his body.
Wait for the cat to bump its head into you. If a cat hits its head on your hand, it means it wants attention. If you're busy at the time, at least stroke him once or twice to show you're not ignoring him.
Pet the cat when it jumps on your lap and lies down. See if it starts spinning. If so, he probably just wants to lie back and relax, because a human is a good source of warmth for a cat. If he doesn't, you can stroke his back and touch him in areas described in Part 2.
Pet a cat when it is on its side. Cats like to be petted when lying on their side. Lightly pat the side that is up. When he meows or purrs, he shows that he likes it.
- However, do not touch the abdomen (see Part 3, Step 3).
- However, some cats like this. If the cat is going to bite and / or grab you playfully, it will enjoy it.
- You can also look at the eyes. If the pupils have stripes it usually means that you should leave the cat alone. He will play with himself and do something himself. However, if the pupils are round, the cat will usually like to play and you can pet his tummy in a playful way. The animal will consider this to be play.
Note if the cat makes some soft noises (purrs). Purring means that your cat is in the mood for contact. If he bumps or turns your ankles, or gives cups, it means he wants attention right now. Sometimes it only needs to be stroked once, similar to a handshake in greeting, instead of a long hug.
- How fast a cat purr shows how happy it is. The harder it purrs, the happier the cat. Spinning softly means satisfied, spinning hard means very happy. Purring excessively hard means he is euphoric, which can sometimes suddenly turn into irritation, so beware.
Watch for signs that your cat no longer wants to be petted. Sometimes a cat suddenly becomes too much and gets irritated, especially if you do the same for a long time. If you're not paying close attention, he may suddenly bite or scratch you, as a sign to stop. However, cats often give subtle cues a few times before they bite, that they don't want to be petted anymore. Heed those warnings and stop petting if you notice them:
- The ears go flat in the neck
- The tail begins to swing
- The cat starts to move restlessly
- He growls or blows

Part 3 of 3: Knowing what not to do

Keep stroking from head to tail and not the other way around. Some cats don't want to be petted in the other direction.
Do not pat the cat. Some cats like it, but most don't, and if you don't know the cat well, don't experiment too much if you want to avoid being bitten or scratched.
Don't touch his stomach. When a cat is relaxed, it sometimes rolls over on its back and shows its stomach. Don't just take that as an invitation to pet his stomach, because most cats don't want that. That's because cats need to protect themselves from potential enemies in the wild (unlike dogs, who are more confident in this area - they love to be petted on their bellies). The abdomen is a vulnerable place where all vital organs are, so many cats will instinctively defend that place with their teeth and claws.
- There are cats who like it, but they see it more as an invitation to play by taking your hand or scratching it. They will grab your hand with their claws, bite or scratch your hand with their front and back paws. It's not always an attack; that's how some cats frolic.
- If a cat grabs you with its claws, keep your hand still and let the cat let go. If necessary, grab the legs with your other hand to loosen them. Cats can unintentionally scratch very deeply if they become trapped. They use their claws to grab and hold, so if you keep your hand still it will release.
Touch the legs gently. Don't play with the cat's paws unless you know this cat is okay with it. First, pet the cat to make it comfortable, then gently touch one paw with your finger.
- If the cat isn't struggling, gently pat that paw with a finger in the direction of hair growth. If the cat pulls its paw away, blows, flattens the ears, or walks away, stop.
- Many cats do not allow you to touch the paws at all, but you can teach them through a reward system so that you can cut the nails.

Tips

If you don't know the cat, be patient. Cats only pick up some things from their owners.
Purring doesn't always mean a cat is happy, so don't think a purring cat won't bite or scratch. Many people think that purring can also mean that a cat is telling you to pay attention, so it could also be irritated.
Some cats meow when they want you to stop, and others when they want you to pet harder. A low meow could mean the cat is angry. Then it is better to stop.
Some cats like to be picked up, but others don't. If a cat wants to jump out of your hands, it doesn't want to be lifted.
If it is your own cat that is petting you, pay close attention to changes in its reactions. If you are not allowed to touch a place where you are normally allowed to pet, he may be in pain there. Then take him to the vet.
If he starts moving his tail up and down, stop petting him or he will be irritated.
Many cats don't want to be petted by the tail. To find out if yours wants that, pat gently and see if he isn't blowing or meowing.
Petting a cat produces stress-reducing hormones, lowers your blood pressure and reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Warnings

Keep a close eye on children when they pet a cat. Cats that are friendly with adults are not always friendly with children. Be especially careful that children do not keep their face too close to the cat.
Do not pet cats if you are allergic to them.
If you are injured by a scratch or bite, wash the area well with soap and water and apply an antiseptic. If it is very deep, go to the doctor.
If a cat looks aggressive, stay away from it.