Surely you have ever stroked a very affectionate cat who loves to be pampered, but who bites you instantly. At this point, it can be easy to blame the feline, but chances are, you’re just not petting it well.
Cat evolution
The ancestors of the domestic cat (that is, the African wild cat) served mainly to control pests. However, cats today are just another member of the family. In fact, this change in the relationship between humans and cats is believed to have occurred about 4,000 years ago, slightly later than the dog.
And while it may seem like a long enough amount of time for a species to fully adapt, cats exhibit fairly small genetic divergence from their ancestors, meaning their brains still think like wild cats.
Affection in the cat
Although many cats enjoy cuddling and petting, interaction with humans is something they must learn in a relatively short period of time, between two and seven weeks of age.
In addition, the cat’s personality, the areas of the body that are touched, and how it is handled in general can all play an important role in how the cat responds to human affections.
On the other hand, some cats can tolerate petting in exchange for food or shelter. However, according to scientists, a cat that tolerates petting is not necessarily a happy cat, as there are higher levels of stress in cats that tolerate petting rather than actively showing discontent.
How to pet a cat
The key to success, according to the researchers, is providing the cat with as many options during interactions as possible. For example, the option to tell him if he wants to be stroked or not, and control where he is touched and for how long. This might require a bit of self-control. However, it is very beneficial as interactions last longer when it is the cat, rather than the human, who initiates them.
It is also very important to pay attention to the behavior and posture of the cat during interactions, to ensure that it is comfortable. When it comes to touching a cat, less is more.
Signs of enjoyment in cats
In general, cats enjoy being stroked on their facial glands, including the base of the ears, under the chin, and around the cheeks. On the other hand, they do not usually like to have their belly, back or the base of the tail stroked. Pay attention to your cat’s behavior!
Some of the signs of enjoyment in cats are as follows:
• Tail stands upright and chooses to initiate contact
• Purr and knead with its front paws.
• Gently shake the tail from side to side
• His facial expression is relaxed and his ears are erect
