How to pet a cat?

They are not dogs, nor do they resemble them. There are people who are even rejected. They are felines and, therefore, they can be unpredictable to us since they are not governed by such a submissive character as that of dogs. Their attitude is often impassive to us, making it difficult for humans to connect with them. However, for many of us, they are the best companion animal.

The company of a feline is always a joy. Even so, if we do not know how to pet a cat, no one is saved from an unpleasant surprise, such as a tooth sample or even a scratch. For this reason, it is frequent to wonder what is the best way to act in these cases. If you want to enjoy the benefits of petting a cat but don’t know how, keep reading this article.

How to pet a cat?

If you want to know how to pet a cat, you must consider a series of tricks that will help you gain the feline’s trust.

• The first is to give him his space. Like us, cats need to make their own decisions and we must respect them. Approaching a cat that does not want to socialize or is entertaining doing something else is never a good idea.
• If the kitten is playing, chasing an insect, eating or washing, it is very likely that a simple look will annoy him. To get close to a cat you don’t know well. You need to be calm. You both must be. He is going to notice it, both when you are relaxed and when you are not.
• Also, to verify that they really want to socialize, we must talk to them first. Cats don’t understand us, but the tone of our voice can relax them. Note that cats often meow to control themselves between litters, both on the streets and indoors. They emit sounds, not only to warn others of their presence but also to control who is in their environment, so they expect the same from us.
• If you speak to cats tenderly and calmly, they will connect with you sooner. They will know that you have no bad intentions and, of course, your caresses will not take them by surprise. If you see the cat lie down, change position with the intention of taking your hand to certain places, knead the surface with its paws or even lick you, it is clear that the feline is very comfortable.

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Where to pet a cat?

The preferred area for petting varies from cat to cat, depending on their individual tastes. This is not difficult when you already know your cat since felines are very expressive animals when it comes to demanding attention or demanding care. In fact, they will come to adopt the most complicated posture in order to get you to stroke them where they want. Read also: Why is my cat coughing and sneezing?

Therefore, you can start in that area that you like so much and continue attending to what you want the most. Then, little by little, you can try more places. For example, from the middle of the back to almost reaching the tail is a place that they love. As soon as you start scratching it there, you will see how, immediately, it begins to lift its back. Another place to pet a cat to relax in the back of the ears. When we caress them there, they usually remain immobile so that we continue to do so. Discover also: Can cats eat raw chicken?

What not to do when petting a cat?

Finally, to know how to pet a surly cat, we must take into account everything that we do not have to do in any case but is more important in the case of such a cat. Also, keep in mind that perhaps, simply, you should not touch or force a surly cat to do so or that clearly shows that you do not want to be touched. Here are some tips:

• Do not stroke him roughly. Start by talking to him and expect him to approach you first. Thus, he himself will show you where he wants you to stroke him.
• Don’t keep stroking him if he tells you not to. Watch his reaction at all times and, if you notice any sudden movements or signs of discomfort, do not force him to continue stroking. For example, if he huffs you, runs his tail in front of you, or pushes you with his feet, give him more room.

Never start with delicate places, such as the legs, the tail, or the feet. You shouldn’t pet a cat’s belly either, as it could trigger self-defense reflexes in it. Perhaps over time, you can allow yourself to be caressed these areas, but we must do it little by little, calmly and always paying attention to your reaction.