Petting and Stuff

Petting and Stuff

Most cats like to be stroked on their forehead, between the ears (Libby will approach me, throwing back her head to make sure I do the forehead-thing). They also like to be skritched under the chin and along the throat. If they trust you a lot, they’ll roll over onto their back for stomach-skritching. Always pet a cat in the direction of its fur, and be aware that the spot just above the tail is sensitive – some cats adore being scratched there, others hate it. If your cat suddently nips you while you are petting it, it may be because he’s “overdosed” on the pleasurable sensations: some cats can tolerate only a few minutes of being petted, while others will happily doze in your lap, being stroked for hours.

Whenever I walk through a room in the house, I pet any cat walking by or lying within arm’s reach – they seem to enjoy the acknowledgement of their presence.

If your cat isn’t a cuddle kitty and tries to jump out of your arms, don’t force him to stay. (Help him down gently, don’t let him jump out of your arms.) You can build up his “tolerance” to being held by picking him up frequently for a quick cuddle, and can extend it usually by a few seconds or minutes each time. Note, too, that your cat is more likely to want to snuggle when you want him to if you pay attention to him and play with him at other times.