Although you love to give your cat love and if it were up to you you would spend the day caressing it, the truth is that these felines are not dogs and their character is quite independent. This characteristic is given by their origins , as they descend from the African wild cat, which was frequently used for pest control. At present this animal is one of the most frequent for domestic possession, but the truth is that today they are still somewhat reluctant to contact (if we compare them with dogs), with exceptions, of course.
Luckily, science has spoken and has the solution so that you can cuddle your cat and not end up with scratches. The most important thing to keep in mind is learning to identify when he is most receptive and respect his limits. In this sense, it should be noted that if he approaches us instead of us to him, he will almost certainly be willing to be caressed. In fact, scientific research has concluded that the meeting will last longer if it happens in this way.
Once we have made sure that he wants us to caress him, it is important to be clear that there are certain areas of his anatomy more sensitive than others and you should know that he does not enjoy caresses on the belly, the base of the back and the tail. If you pet him in these areas, it is very possible that the cat shows certain signs of rejection like the ones we expose below. If you notice any of them, we recommend that you stop, since you could get a good scratch.
- Move your head away from you.
- He is passive.
- It blinks in an exaggerated way.
- Shakes head or body or licks nose.
- He rushes to clean up.
- Bristly hair.
- Contract your back.
- He hits you with his tail or waves it.
- Flatten the ears and orientate them to the sides.
- He turns his head sharply.
- It bites you.
However, something very different will happen if you stroke her ears, near her cheeks or under her chin , she loves it! How will you know? These are some of the signs that prove it:
- Holds tail upright and initiates contact.
- Purrs.
- Gently wag the tail from side to side.
- He has a relaxed posture and facial expression with his ears forward.
- It may take a while for your cat to get used to petting. We recommend that you gradually increase their tolerance to these and you can give them a treat or food that is to their liking while the displays of affection last. In this way, you will associate them with something positive.
- Before you start stroking him, speak softly to him in a tender and loving way. Be calm. Once you have made sure that the feline is calm, it is time to start stroking, which you should do with slow and circular movements.
- At the first signs of discomfort on your part, stop doing it. If you have noticed that your cat is not enjoying it when it is too late and has started to bite you, you should not withdraw your hand abruptly, it could startle. Instead, it is much better to do it slowly and gently.
- Do not yell at him: if the cat has reacted by biting you, you should not react by yelling at him, much less hitting him. This will only damage your relationship and could cause fear to contact you.
- If his patience has run out and he can’t take any more caresses, don’t force him! You will feel trapped and may very well react violently.
- Find a place where you feel comfortable , because in turn comfort will generate a sense of tranquility and this is essential for the meeting to be a success.
If you follow these tips, the relationship with your cat will most likely be more than satisfactory and will not only benefit him, but also you. Did you know that petting your pet has been shown to have very positive effects on your mental health? Yes, your feline can be your best therapist since they help reduce stress, anxiety and are a great escape route for some people who suffer from depression.
