How to caress a cat

Petting a cat is one of the most beautiful and relaxing moments you can imagine. But it is not always a simple task, especially for people who are not used to dealing with cats. It is important to familiarize yourself with certain guidelines to relate with our furry little ones, so that the moment of the caresses is very pleasant and passes without incidents. If you do it very abruptly, very quickly or in the wrong place, you could disturb it and receive a scratch or bite. In this article of .com we tell you how to caress a cat.

Steps to follow:

one

The most advisable thing is to let the cat control the interaction. We must make him understand that we will touch him if he gives us permission to do so. In this way, it will be less possible for you to have a negative response on your part. The first thing you should do is let it smell before trying to stroke it. Spread your hand slowly near your pet and let him have the option to touch it with his snout. If you see that you do not have any interest or just look at it, you will have to rethink the idea of ​​touching it being better to postpone it. But if the cat smells your hand, rubs its head, its chin or even rubs its body it will be very open to be caressed. If this happens, it is time to open your hand and gently start to touch it.

two

One of the best places to start caressing your cat is in the head. You should touch it with your fingers lightly and then concentrate on the area of ​​the ears or just behind them. It is better to use the yolks and press on their fur, and maybe later you can do it with the whole hand without any problem. Most cats usually like to have their heads stroked against their hair. But there are others who enjoy it very much if you scratch their chin, although if your cat is not used to it or you do not know it much, you will be testing these points little by little.

3

Another area to caress your cat are the forehead and the mustache, which is that they contain pheromone glands. A great way is to start at the sides of the forehead and then move the hand to the base of its tail. Repeat this movement gently and increase the intensity if you notice that you like it. You can also massage the muscles of the neck, squeezing gently and running your hand along the side of your face. After this warming of caresses, you can use the thumb and the middle finger to caress at the base of the whiskers and at the same time on the top of the head.

4

Another way to caress a cat is by touching the back, starting with the neck, going down the back and reaching the base of the tail. Start again and repeat this movement from top to bottom pressing lightly and very slowly. But do not touch the tail yet. If your cat likes this type of caress, you will see how it will arch its back so that you exert more pressure, it is the clear indication that you are liking it a lot and asks for more. You may rub your forehead against your body to keep stroking it as you are doing. Keep stroking him in the same direction, always keep the direction of movement and do not stop.

The slaps are not recommended since there are cats that do not enjoy them. When your cat does not want any more pampering it will let you know, it may move away, turn around, give you a gentle slap, snap your teeth or give you a soft warning bite. Another way to notice that you should stop is to bend your ears or shrink.

5

There is an area with which you must be especially careful and it is the belly. Many times when a cat trusts you or is very relaxed, it may be placed belly up and show you the belly. It is not necessarily an invitation to touch your belly, even if it is very tempting. Many cats do not like anything that rubs their bellies, some that are very playful and affectionate interpret that they touch that area as an invitation to fight with claws and there could be scratches. In this case, you will see how it grabs your arm or your hand biting and scratching with its front and back legs. This is not to be seen as an attack is a very exciting fun for cats, it is a game that involves fighting and if the cat is accustomed and with the nails a little bit filed, it does not have to hurt.

This type of games must be carried out with great caution and if the cat is very encouraged, it may be better to stop. If your cat catches you, it is best not to move and disengage only. If you move, you run the risk that your nails will make a good scratch. Most of the scratches are accidental, he thinks that the nails of a feline are like a hook.

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Another area of ​​the cat somewhat complicated especially if it is not a cat that you know a lot, are the feet. It is important to teach and accustom him to touch his feet to cut his nails since he is a puppy. This custom can be accompanied by prizes or a special meal after the pedicure session. You will have to approach your cat little by little and start playing it as we mentioned above. Next, touch one of your fingers and if you notice that the cat likes, stroke with a finger from the wrist to the end. If your cat moves its ears, moves away, or even buffs, it's better that you stop. In general, when a feline touches your hand with your head it is a very clear signal that you want to be touched. If you wish, do not leave it for another time, caress it for a few minutes and forge a strong bond.

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If your cat jumps on your lap or lies on top to knead it does not necessarily mean that you want to touch it. You may want to feel your body heat and that is why you seek your physical contact. If you touch him and you notice that your cat gets restless and nervous, it is better that you do not follow. But if it emits its sweet purr, knead relaxed, close your eyes, arch your body or even fall asleep is that simply loves to be caressed.

The purr is a very peculiar buzz that the cats emit and that indicate their well-being and their confidence. If this sound is accompanied by rubbing against your legs or blows with your head, it is that you want to be stroked. But even if the signs are very clear, do not prolong the caresses much because you may just want a little attention.