Why cats love to be petted and how pets perceive their owner’s affection

Why do cats like being stroked?

First of all, we note that cats have the most sensitive areas on their bodies. Vibrises are located there. These are hairs, similar in structure to whiskers, but smaller and thinner, they serve as the cat’s organs of touch. If you stroke your pet in the direction of the growth of the whiskers, she becomes very pleased, she is very pleased with such attention. But when you move your hand against the fur, the cat experiences discomfort. And if we are talking about representatives of short-haired breeds with coarse hair, then they even experience pain if stroked incorrectly. In this case, pets may simply stand up abruptly and run away, offended.

There is another reason why pets love affectionate petting. In those areas of the body that they enjoy touching, there are specific glands that exude secretions. Cats use it to mark territory and household objects, even their owners. And when the owner strokes the pet, he himself is accidentally “marked” with its secret. The cat perceives this as a sign of attention and trust, so they experience great pleasure from this and relax.

Exceptions

Even large animals, such as a horse or a cow, for example, love affection and stroking. A tender attitude towards them also forms a stable connection, and touches form devotion. But this aspect does not concern birds . Yes, many domestic parrots, for example, are calm about people’s touches and even enjoy them, but there is no association with the image of the mother.

Birds are an exception

It's simple: birds do not lick their chicks, they clean the young with their beaks . And their memory is weaker, which excludes the formation of associations with periods of life that are already in the past.

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Only mammals can truly enjoy human touch , and those of them that were either born domesticated and had contact with humans since childhood, or were timely and competently tamed with the formation of complete trust in humans.

Thus, pets love to be petted as they associate it with their mother's touch. Cats, dogs and other animals lick their young to maintain cleanliness, and human stroking most closely resembles the touch of a mother's tongue. If you pet your cat or dog, it knows that you love and care for it, this gesture is understandable to animals without any translation.

About sensitive areas of the cat's body

An animal has many such areas:

1. The area between the ear and eye.
   As a rule, it is not densely covered with hair in kittens and adults. Most of the scent glands are located there, precisely those with which the cat marks its territory.
2. Middle of the forehead, area between the ears.
3. The area of ​​the muzzle between the nose and lips
   . These are the areas where the mustache grows. With such areas, cats and kittens always rub against the owner’s legs, marking him, as well as objects in the house, furniture.
4. Lips, chin.
   When the owner gently scratches the lower part of the chin, the cat simply becomes touched and lifts his neck up, purring contentedly.
5. The lower back is the base of the tail.
   It is difficult for a cat to scratch such a place on his own. He will be grateful to the owner for the massage.
6. Belly
   . Although animals do not have specific glands in this part of the body, the sensitivity of the zone is high. A cat can trust stroking its belly only to its closest person - its owner. A pregnant cat becomes calmer and more sensitive to touch. However, in recent weeks you should not stroke her belly - it is unpleasant for her.

About stroking cats by strangers

These pets clearly know who belongs in the house and who is a stranger. And although many people, for example, relatives, colleagues of the owner, may often be in the apartment, they remain strangers to the animal, from whom you can expect anything. Therefore, house guests should not immediately unceremoniously pet the cat that came out to them. First you just need to extend your hand to him so that he sniffs it. Based on the reaction and mood of the animal, it will not be difficult to guess whether he wants to be petted. If, after sniffing your hand, he turns away, then you should not impose yourself. Cats are sensitive to the smell of tobacco, so they can immediately run away when they smell it. The same applies to strong perfume aromas.

If the cat, having sniffed the hand, begins to rub against the guest, it means that he is not against stroking and affection. It is better to start them from the head, namely from the forehead area. If the cat closes his eyes at the same time, then you can continue to stroke him, moving towards the neck, chin, and base of the tail. But what you shouldn’t do is ruffle your ears and scratch them.

The cat shows his satisfaction by arching his back, purring contentedly. Even when the cat is happy and does not show aggression, you should not try to touch its belly. She can bite, because this is a secret place. You can stroke your belly only if the cat offers it to you, lounging on its back. Otherwise, the pet may even bite you.

Every owner knows exactly which parts of his pet’s body are the most sensitive. But even they need to be stroked delicately and carefully, taking into account the animal’s mood and state of health.

There is an opinion that a person tamed a cat so that he could pet his own little lion at any time without putting himself in danger.

There is hardly a creature in the world that would not like affection. Not only people, but also animals require a gentle attitude towards themselves, and our purrs are in dire need of this.

Such caresses are pleasant not only for a small domestic lion, but also bring great benefits to the cat’s owner. When stroking a pet, blood pressure stabilizes, feelings of anxiety and stress disappear. However, some nuances of this “procedure” should be taken into account in order to maximize the benefits for both parties.

You should take into account not only your interests, but also the desires and mood of the cat. The fact is that an animal does not always have a desire to be petted.

Some representatives of the cat family do not like excessive squeezing at all; 3-5 minutes are enough for them to get enough of the tenderness. Sometimes an animal, having received the necessary amount of stroking, begins to bite and scratch, and in this case nothing can be done, such is the nature of the pet. You need to pet cats only when they themselves want it and stop petting when the animal is already oversaturated with affection.

There is a small test that allows you to determine the cat’s current relationship with its owner. To do this, you need to extend your finger to your pet; if, after sniffing it, she does not show any interest and does not begin to rub herself against your hand, then you can try stroking the side of the muzzle or the chin. If your pet tries to avoid being touched in every possible way, then try petting it next time. At the moment he is not in the mood for affection.

If you managed to establish contact with your pet, then you need to determine her favorite places for petting.

How to pet a cat

The back of the head and between the ears

. With slightly perceptible movements, stroke the cat between the ears, then massage behind the ears and slowly go down to the back of the head. Purrs are thrilled by such a massage.

Stroking the chin, neck and chest

will also bring a lot of pleasant sensations to the animal. Lightly touch your chin with your fingertips and slowly massage down to your chest. If the animal is in the mood for such caresses at the moment, then it will stretch its neck forward so that the owner can continue such actions without hindrance.

You can express your love for your pet by stroking the cat with your palm from the neck along the back.

without touching the area of ​​the base of the tail and the tail itself. Pets do not like to have their tails touched.

Cheeks

animals are no less sensitive to caresses. All you have to do is lightly rub the area under your pet’s eyes and behind the whiskers with your fingertips, and you can hear an approving purr.

Why do animals like to be petted?

Most often, when we see a cute puppy nearby or a beloved pet at our feet, we want to stroke it, scratch it behind the ear, etc. etc. For all dogs and most cats, this action evokes positive emotions. In rare exceptions, dogs or cats do not like, but tolerate such events. There are active animals for which this action is the only way to calm down.

So what happens to a dog when it is petted or scratched?

PROJECTION OF THE IMAGE OF THE MOTHER ONTO A PERSON

The touch of a petting, master's hand reminds animals of the touch of a mother's tongue when licking. At the moment when a person strokes a puppy or an adult dog, the dog on a subconscious level remembers his mother, since at birth the dog licks the birth bubble from the puppies with its tongue. This feeling is remembered by the cubs for a long time, most often for the rest of their lives. It is associated with the presence of the mother, and therefore with safety and satiety.

The touch of a person's hand, in particular stroking, is so reminiscent of licking that it causes a rush of endorphins, which are called happiness hormones, in already adult pets. This is why animals love such touches so much, and often even ask for them. For example, approaching the owner and laying down at his feet in a sphinx position, and if the owner does not understand, then attracting his attention in various ways, such as:

They will turn over on their back and expose their belly for scratching or use any other favorite place in this way.

If the owner does not react even then, then the dogs test his patience by licking his hands, waving his paws, in rare cases, barking and lightly biting.

Under the influence of such caresses and the hormones produced, a pet can project the image of its mother onto the person who strokes it. This is how the connection between the owner and the pet becomes even stronger, affection and love appear, sometimes lasting a lifetime.

EXCEPTIONS

Dogs, unlike cats, more often react positively to human touch; cats, sometimes even domestic ones, do not allow themselves to be touched, react aggressively to a person’s approach, fight, scratch, and bite.

Scientists have also found that animals do not like having their tails stroked.

“The tail is a unique erogenous zone in animals, and petting this area can irritate them,” the study authors report.

Also, animals, in particular dogs, do not tolerate being petted during the pet’s meal. Eating in animals is something of a sacred ritual that cannot be interrupted in any way under any circumstances.

MEMORIES OF CHILDHOOD

The main way of communication between mother and calf is licking. And with her tongue, the female not only tidies up the baby’s fur, but also regulates the correct temperature, soothes, and stimulates digestion.

Interesting fact: all animals can suffer from digestive problems in childhood, and the mother's tongue relieves abdominal pain. Therefore, licking is also associated with comfort and peace. The same effect during stomach ailments and other pains can be produced by human stroking the pet’s fur.

The mother not only feeds her young, but also ensures their cleanliness. Maintaining hygiene and even stimulating digestion in babies is achieved through licking. This way the cub feels completely safe. Growing up, a domesticated animal can no longer receive affection from its mother, but still reacts emotionally positively to soft touches from the outside, for example, from the owner or his guests.

How does a dog tell us that it “loves” us?

The puppy strives to fall asleep, clinging to the owner, yearns without him, whining under the door, enthusiastically licks his face and hands when he returns home, falls on his back - exposing his tummy and trustingly closes his eyes when the owner's hand affectionately strokes him.

A slightly older dog repeats the actions of a puppy in almost everything. An adult dog is also no stranger to love - he tries to be closer to his beloved owner, especially fiercely protects him from everyone, and will never allow him to be offended.

Author of the article: Katya Ogneva.

How not to pet a cat

It’s worth mentioning what you shouldn’t do if you want to please your cat:

• Do not stroke the animal against the grain;
• Stroking movements should not be too intense, rough or with strong pressure;
• There is no need to pet the cat immediately after any offense; she may regard this as encouragement and continue her pranks.

The main rule is to adhere to measures when stroking the animal. You should not tire the animal with excessive petting. One has only to determine which strokes are most pleasant for the pet and the animal will definitely respond with a grateful purr.

God created the cat so that man could pet the tiger! This truth has been confirmed since ancient times! Both cats and humans benefit greatly from stroking. At the moment of touching a warm and fluffy body, the pressure decreases, the stressful state goes away, and the body goes into a state of rest. However, you need to pet cats correctly.

Where and how to pet cats

First of all, the cat should be stroked only with consent and should be stopped as soon as the cat lets you know about it (every owner knows the signals). Mutual respect between the owner and the cat will make the touch even better. There are breeds of cats that do not like tenderness and affectionate touches, but they can tolerate it a little. Sometimes it may seem that the cat likes it, it purrs, but after a few seconds it may bite or scratch. Cats are independent creatures and it is difficult to impose your opinion and desire on them!

The desire to pet a cat arises spontaneously, but before doing this, you must obtain permission from your pet. Let him sniff your hand, try touching the fur, if the cat does not reject you, start stroking more intensely. Pets very often show a desire to be petted and begin to “beg”: they climb on your lap, rub against your legs and other parts of the body.

One of the most convenient places to show affection on a cat’s body is the area of ​​the back of the head between the ears. It is best to iron with your fingertips, without unnecessary pressure or sudden movements. Start massaging the ears, head, smoothly moving to the sharpening part. After a few seconds, your pet will relax, begin to purr and put you into a state of calm.

Happy cats love to be stroked on the face, cheeks, under the chin and whiskers. There are cats that rub themselves, with all these parts of their body, against their owner or furniture, while purring and making “massage” movements with their paws.

There are cats that like to be stroked on the neck and chest. You should start from the neck, then smoothly move your fingers along the chest, cats like this and they begin to stretch their heads forward. Such a gesture means approval and continuation to the next actions!

Next, you can express tenderness and devotion to your pet by simply running your palm along the fur from the neck along the back, but without touching the area near the tail and the tail itself. If your pet begins to arch his back after this, it means he likes what you are doing. The love for such touches makes the cat rub its forehead against your hand, urging you to repeat it again and again. The delicate and sensitive parts of a cat's body are the paws and paw pads. There are some cats who like to have their paws stroked from top to bottom, but most pets get irritated and can hurt the owner and everyone else. Whether or not a cat likes stroking its paw pads is not difficult to find out; the main thing is that they are not afraid to try.

Correctly assessing your pet's behavior

Purring and a calm state does not mean that the cat needs to be caressed, cuddled and stroked. A good owner can easily determine that the cat needs affection at the moment or simply leave him alone.

A call for active stroking and careful squeezing will be a jump to your knees. At such moments, you can stroke the ears, cheeks, paws, and back without hesitation; the main thing is not to overdo it.

Where you don't need to pet the cat

Touch the cat's tummy with caution; this place is only allowed to be stroked by a very “trusted” and beloved person, whom the cat trusts infinitely. Everyone else needs to remember that cats will protect their stomachs with teeth and claws. In some cases, cats scratch the body of the “offender.” Also, do not pet cats against the grain and against their will, this is the only way to achieve mutual satisfaction and enjoy stroking your favorite fluffy cat!

Cats are as unique as we are and each of them has their own preferences when it comes to petting. Some require attention 24 hours a day, others show very little interest in human affection. It's up to us to be able to read a cat's body language and determine its own comfort level.

First of all, you need her to come to you, and not vice versa. Once you sit down on the sofa, it won't be long before your partner, or even several, joins you.

- Once your cat is comfortable on your lap, try running your hand slowly and gently down her back. Just slide your hand along the spine and watch the cat's reaction. Does the cat seem to be showing boredom and discomfort?

— Most often, cats like to be stroked in the head and muzzle area. Lightly scratch under the cat's chin with your fingers. Has the cat stretched out its head and taken such a position that it would be more convenient for you to stroke it there and then? For sure. Another sensitive place for petting on a cat is between and behind the ears. Gently scratch your cat's ear with your fingers and watch for a reaction.

— A cat has glands on its cheeks and lips that produce an odorous secretion. This is why you may notice your cat rubbing these areas against door frames and various objects. She marks her territory, this gives her a feeling of confidence and comfort. If you are petting your cat and she starts rubbing her cheeks and lips against your hand, this is a good sign.

- Many cats love to be patted in the place of the spine where it turns into the tail. This same place is often susceptible to damage, so you need to be careful. If you notice a negative reaction from your cat to touching the base of its tail, contact your veterinarian.

- Belly. Some cats love to have their bellies stroked, others hate it. Try it and see for yourself. If the cat doesn't like it, it will push your hand away with its hind legs, like a kangaroo.

Signs that your cat is unhappy

• she looks with an expression of boredom or discomfort on her face. She can look around. This is a sign that you should not bother your cat with your attention, otherwise it may end up scratching you.
• the cat's tail nervously moves from side to side

Signs that your cat is happy

• she purrs
• she squints her eyes
• she claws your knees
• the cat may drool. This is normal, although not all cats behave this way.
• the cat itself pokes its head into your palm, as if demanding to pet itself

Petting is a great way to build and strengthen your relationship with your cat. But they can also help you identify certain health problems in your cat. When you pet your cat, you may feel tangles in the cat's fur, or swellings and bumps on its body. Feel the cat's chest, if its weight is normal, the ribs should be palpable, but they should not be noticeable. Pay attention to how your cat's fur feels to the touch: dry or oily.

Petting not only calms your cat, it has a positive effect on your own health. It has been observed that a person petting a cat lowers their blood pressure, which reduces the risk of strokes and heart attacks.

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Everyone knows that cats are very capricious. We all love to pet them, but few people know how to properly pet a cat so that you and your pet can enjoy it. There is even a certain technique for this. By following it, you will understand how to properly stroke so that the cat does not show aggression and dissatisfaction.

There are many animals on earth, and there are none who do not love affection, because this feeling is inherent in everyone from birth, when mother washes or strokes. Animals from the cat family love affection like no other species. For cats, stroking is a manifestation of attention, care, and affection towards them.

Stroking our cat

While we have the reasons above for why cats meow in general when we pet them, there may be some more specific types of meows. Some cats don't want to be petted. They can avoid this by playing or having some experience in the past that makes them afraid of being touched by people. If your cat meows because she wants to be petted, here are some tips on best petting practices:

• head is accepted and they are often asked to stroke their head. It could be a scratch on the top of your head, a tingling sensation under your chin, or a tingling sensation in your ears. Some even headbutt you in need of affection.
• back along the cat's spine where they often like to be petted. It is located outside of your body and is often not as vulnerable as in other places. This means that they can enjoy being petted in this area, even by people they are not very familiar with (although this will depend on the cat's level of socialization). Many can even move their legs in a way that reminds them of a kitten-like affection.
• Cats generally don't like to have their feet touched, especially the pads, as these areas are very sensitive. This might be similar to how you won't be able to control your feet while being tickled.
• Abdomen : This is the red warning zone for most cats. Your belly is a vulnerable place that needs protection, so they will only allow you to caress their belly if they trust you completely. They may also try to hold your hands and protect themselves if they feel attacked...

Stroking technique

Experts who study animal behavior have repeatedly conducted experiments on how to pet a cat so that he likes it. As a result, we came to the conclusion that stroking should begin with an attempt to reach out and try to make several strokes on the head or torso. Based on the cat’s reaction, it will be noticeable whether the animal is currently predisposed to affection or not. If the cat moves away from your hand or tries to bite, then you should not anger him and stroke him against his will. If, on the contrary, the animal begins to rub against your hand, expose its head, back or stomach, then the cat is not against caresses.

Where you don't need to iron

Unfortunately, few people even think about how to pet a cat. A person is inclined to take into account only his own need for affection, and does not know how to accept a refusal from an animal. In this paragraph, we will look at several areas where it is better not to pet a cat, and why cats should not be petted against the grain.

Stomach

Why pregnant women should not pet cats or have contact with them

In principle, you should not deliberately touch a cat’s belly, let alone stroke it. Even when your pet is sleeping peacefully with its paws up, you should not bother it by scratching its belly; this is a task best left to dogs.

Note! Typically, animals that do not protest against belly scratching are inclined to play rather roughly with grabbing a person’s hand.

If your pet is sleeping on its back, this is not a reason to scratch its tummy.

Against the grain

What you should never do under any circumstances is pet a cat against the grain. No cat will definitely like this, and a person risks running into the animal’s claws or teeth. The fact is that there are vibrissae throughout the body in the fur. These are extremely sensitive hairs, the longest of which are called whiskers. When the hand passes against the direction of fur growth, discomfort causes the pet to defend itself from unwanted affection.

How to pet a cat so that he likes it is a purely individual question. But following the rules outlined in this article will help a person find out where cats like to be petted. A person must always remember that he is responsible for those he has tamed.

Ironing correctly

The cat has favorite places (points) from touching which he gets the most pleasure. However, each person also has his own favorite places that bring maximum pleasure, which is noticeable when performing a massage.

For a cat, stroking is a kind of massage that brings pleasure, calm and relaxation.

Conventionally, a cat’s body can be divided into several zones

:

• head;
• back of the head;
• chest and neck;
• back;
• stomach

Head

Almost all cats don't mind having their heads stroked. But, try not to touch their ears with your hand. This is a special and very sensitive organ, the touch of which is not very pleasant for the cat. One of the places that brings the most pleasure for almost all cats is the upper part of the bridge of the nose and forehead. Gently stroking your fingers in this place has a very beneficial effect on the cat. The thing is that this is the point at which in childhood, each kitten is licked by the mother, washing them. Apparently, these pleasant memories are embedded in every kitten on a subconscious level, therefore, when stroked in this place, they experience very pleasant feelings.

Memories of childhood

A cat licks a kitten
As cubs, all animals are in close contact with their parents, at least with their mother. The mother not only feeds them, but also ensures cleanliness. Maintaining hygiene and even stimulating digestion in young mammals is achieved by licking. The mother carefully grooms the babies with her tongue and does this several times a day.

The feeling of licking is remembered by the cubs for a long time, often for life . It is associated with the presence of the mother, and therefore with safety and satiety.

Interesting fact : all babies can suffer from digestive problems, and the mother's tongue relieves abdominal pain. Therefore, licking is also associated with comfort and peace.

Touching a human hand and stroking it is so reminiscent of licking that it causes a rush of endorphins , which are called happiness hormones, in already matured animals. Even if the memory of the mother has long been erased, the release of hormones causes positivity - not to mention the fact that the stroking itself is also extremely pleasant. This is why cats and dogs love such touches so much, and often even ask for them.

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Stomach

Another place that brings pleasure to cats is the stomach. You should only stroke his belly if the cat himself asks for it. Cats are animals that are very careful. Lying on their backs, they are very vulnerable, therefore, they do not always readily accept stroking in the abdominal area. Only when the cat feels that he is safe can he allow stroking in this place.

If you have noticed, dogs can often lie down in front of a person to have their belly rubbed, while cats, on the contrary, will never lie down on their backs in front of a stranger. Stroking the belly is a special privilege that is available only to those people whom the cat knows well and will completely trust. Such people usually include members of the family in which the cat lives.

Why do cats show their bellies?

Animals use body language to communicate their emotions and mood. The objects of the sent signals can be other animals, hunting victims and people. When a cat lies on its back, openly showing its belly, it means that it is in a calm, relaxed state. This position means that the cat completely trusts the people and other animals that are near it and feels safe around them. At this moment, the pet shows that it is not against playing and affection, but this does not mean that it is the belly that needs to be stroked. Most cats don't like to be touched. Biting and scratching are common reactions to attempts to touch the belly.

Cats may also adopt this posture when defending themselves, and this will be indicated by flattened ears and an angry hiss. If your cat is not spayed, she may exhibit this behavior during heat. In this case, it is better to leave her alone for a while.

Tail

Touching the tail can push the cat to defend itself, so you should not touch or stroke the tail. For a cat, this organ serves as a rudder for balancing, i.e. aligns the body when moving. In addition, this organ contains a large number of different nerve endings and the cat is very distrustful of those who try to touch its tail. It can be used to determine the emotional state at a given moment in time. Unlike dogs, tail twitching from side to side indicates emotional stress and irritation of the animal. When a dog wags its tail, it is evidence of an expression of positive emotions.

You can visually see how to properly pet a cat by watching the video

.

In conclusion, it should be said that stroking is as pleasant for an animal as it is for a person. The main thing is to do it right. Thus, the cat itself receives a charge of comfort and positive emotions and gives them to the person.