As Dr Lauren Finka, cat behavioural expert from Nottingham Trent University, explains: “Although some cats certainly do like a lot of petting, lots of them probably don’t want to be stroked the way that we would usually prefer to do it. They’re probably just very tolerant of it because of the benefits a relationship with you bring – think of all the food, treats and attention you give them.
“When it comes to petting, it’s best to remember that cats as a species aren’t inherently social or tactile.”
In short: if you suspect your cat only puts up with your fondling to nab another bite of dinner, you’re probably completely right. Particularly if you’re consistently touching their back end.
“Granted, we know limited amounts about this from a scientific perspective. Although people often think cats like being stroked at the base of their tail, research suggests that this can actually produce the most negative behavioural responses from cats,” says Finka.
Alongside the lower back, Finka advises staying away from the belly, with your cat having evolved to keep this area protected. A cat’s vital organs are exposed at their navel, so they’re likely to see touching in this area as a threat.
As you might have guessed by now, there’s a lot you can do wrong when stroking a cat. However, there are areas where friendly cats may be most likely to enjoy being petted: around the face – predominantly, the cheeks, the base of the ears and under the chin.
“When it comes to petting, it’s best to remember that cats as a species aren’t inherently social or tactile.”
I don’t find that to be true at all. I find each individual cat to be varying levels of social. Some cats will never leave your side. Some cats you see like once a month, despite living with you.
I also find it a bit disturbing that the word he used to describe how he touches his cat is “fondling”. I assure you, you’re the only one fondling your cat.
And when there’s stray cats in cities, they usually form packs/clans.
sad story but it ends happy don't worry
so there was this cat on the side of the road and I went up to it and it was bringing food to his still partner. he was like rubbing against her and purring and grooming her fur. I thought the cat was dead but when I walked up to it the big floofy white cat came up to me meowing really loudly and rubbing against my feet and legs and I was like “what that’s really unusual for a stray to do that especially a male protecting his mate.” so I went over and he was nosing her body and I said “I’m so sorry buddy but I think the’s dead” but he kept meowing and bumping up against me so I touched her and she was warm but her heartbeat was slow and stuttering and that’s when I noticed her belly. she was pregnant, but as I looked at her I saw a big cut on her hind leg. it was yellow and pus was crusting around the edges. it was definitely infected. so I gently picked her up and walked to my apartment, and the male cat followed me all the way there. he even went inside. Blueberry Pickles and Burrito were in my room and they didn’t like the strange cat cause they were all male so really territorial but once they saw the female they kinda chilled down. I left them in my room and shut the door. I cleaned the wound with water and antibiotic ointment and wrapped it in cotton fiber and gauze. so you must be thinking “oh well you should’ve taken her to the vet” but I have 3 years of vet training and I take care of stray cats all the time. so anyway she gave birth to 5 kittens, 3 male and two female all healthy and they sometimes visit my apartment. I named them Snow, the mother, White Whisker, the father, and I named the three males Snuffy, Little Timmy, Garbanzo Bean. I named the two females Rose and Sunny.
I don’t find that to be true at all. I find each individual cat to be varying levels of social. Some cats will never leave your side. Some cats you see like once a month, despite living with you.
I also find it a bit disturbing that the word he used to describe how he touches his cat is “fondling”. I assure you, you’re the only one fondling your cat.
And when there’s stray cats in cities, they usually form packs/clans.
sad story but it ends happy don't worry
so there was this cat on the side of the road and I went up to it and it was bringing food to his still partner. he was like rubbing against her and purring and grooming her fur. I thought the cat was dead but when I walked up to it the big floofy white cat came up to me meowing really loudly and rubbing against my feet and legs and I was like “what that’s really unusual for a stray to do that especially a male protecting his mate.” so I went over and he was nosing her body and I said “I’m so sorry buddy but I think the’s dead” but he kept meowing and bumping up against me so I touched her and she was warm but her heartbeat was slow and stuttering and that’s when I noticed her belly. she was pregnant, but as I looked at her I saw a big cut on her hind leg. it was yellow and pus was crusting around the edges. it was definitely infected. so I gently picked her up and walked to my apartment, and the male cat followed me all the way there. he even went inside. Blueberry Pickles and Burrito were in my room and they didn’t like the strange cat cause they were all male so really territorial but once they saw the female they kinda chilled down. I left them in my room and shut the door. I cleaned the wound with water and antibiotic ointment and wrapped it in cotton fiber and gauze. so you must be thinking “oh well you should’ve taken her to the vet” but I have 3 years of vet training and I take care of stray cats all the time. so anyway she gave birth to 5 kittens, 3 male and two female all healthy and they sometimes visit my apartment. I named them Snow, the mother, White Whisker, the father, and I named the three males Snuffy, Little Timmy, Garbanzo Bean. I named the two females Rose and Sunny.
The face being preferrable kind of makes sense to me, since cats will often socialize by rubbing their heads against each other…