My cat doesn't like to be petted. Is there anything that can be done about this?

Let's say you are gently petting your cat, and she begins to frantically bite your hand. Many cat owners wonder, “Why does my cat bite me?”

These so-called "cat love bites" do not usually cause bleeding, but they do occur suddenly, leaving you wondering what caused the change in your cat's behavior.

“Bitting their owners while petting them is one of the most common behavioral problems in cats,” says Dr. Vyacheslav Kolokolnikov, a board-certified veterinarian at the Moscow College of Veterinary Medicine.

Veterinarians are studying what cat love bites are, why cats exhibit this behavior, and how pet owners can respond appropriately when their covered cat feels the urge to bite.

How to pet a cat so it likes it

Few owners ever think about the question of where cats like to be petted? But certain areas on a cat’s body are particularly sensitive to affection.

A representative of the British Fold breed is especially sensitive to the caresses of his owner

Before scratching your pet at all, you should make sure whether he wants it or not. This is an important aspect on which the kitten’s attitude towards affection in the future will depend. How to understand your pet’s wishes will be described in detail in the next paragraph.

For your information! Wherever the owner strokes his pet, the hand should pass along the growth of the fur, regardless of the length of the hair. Cats rarely tolerate being stroked against the grain.

Let me smell your hand

How to stroke a cat correctly, especially if it is a stranger? When approaching an animal, you need to extend your hand to it. Movements should be calm and smooth, even if we are talking about a domestic representative. If you approach her too quickly or harshly, she may get scared and run away or become aggressive.

The hand should be extended to the animal’s nose, while leaving a small distance to the muzzle. It must decide for itself whether to be drawn to a person or not. If the cat ignores the outstretched hand, freezes, or begins to show signs of aggression, it is better to refuse stroking. The cat will not be held by force.

Note! If the cat calmly sniffs the hand and begins to rub against it, this is a signal of readiness to show mutual affection

Palm along the fur

As mentioned earlier, no cat will tolerate being stroked against the grain. But what to do if we are talking about a hairless cat? After all, there are breeds on whose body from birth only light fluff grows.

Such cats love affection no less than others, and they need to be stroked along the trajectory along which the fur of an ordinary cat would grow.

Not all pets are ready to cuddle up to humans

How to catch a wild kitten that is afraid of people

Although caring for a cat takes less effort than caring for a dog, adopting an outdoor cat is a big responsibility. It’s a pity for the little lump, scared and frozen, squeaking near the trash can or the entrance door. He will not scratch or bite if you put the kitten in your palm, stroke it, and mutter a few gentle soothing words. The warmth of human hands for a baby is a guarantee of food and safety.

Please note that we are talking only about feral and street cats, whose ancestors have always lived with humans. The real wild cats, which can only be tamed by Yuri Kuklachev and the Zapashny brothers, are:

• Jungle Cat (House);
• European forest cat;
• Amur (Far Eastern) cat - inherits aggression towards humans and fear.

For an outdoor wild cat or kitten from the street, a visit to the veterinarian is mandatory, as it can be a carrier of viruses and infections that are dangerous to the health of humans or other animals in the house.

The newborn was probably thrown out by people: no hand was raised to drown or poison. Opening her eyes, the baby captured the person as a relative. Therefore, he does not experience aggression towards people. It’s easy to domesticate this one: it will get used to its new home and fall in love with its new owner in an evening.

Imprinting (instant early memory) of kittens that were born and lived in an attic or basement for a couple of months does not apply to humans. Stray cat cubs can remain feral for life.

The little “animals” run away, and when you try to pick them up, they bite. To catch a wild cat, use primitive traps:

• large box;
• baby bath;
• a rabbit cage without a bottom;
• regular carry...

They put food on the ground and cover it, for example, with a box.

Important. Consider the size of the animal. A heavy container falling on its back can injure the cat.

All that remains is to lift it and place one side on a support with a rope. As soon as the animal approaches the food, the stick is pulled out.

A more complex option: a cage with a lowered door (kotolovka). Triangular-shaped nets with a long handle and noose loops are also used.

To catch a domestic yard kitten, it is enough to regularly feed it by hand and talk to it. In a couple of days the baby will come running when called and allow himself to be petted.

When thinking about how to tame a cat, a person forgets: the cat chooses the owner. It was the cat who first began to meow, demanding food and attention, rubbing against her legs, showing affection. Once in the apartment, the animal adapts to the rhythm of the owner, giving him special, cat-like care.

This is interesting: Why doesn't the cat let the cat near?

If your cat occasionally bites when you pet it

In addition to the above, the animal may bite periodically. This behavior can be provoked by a certain situation or action. For example, you played with your dog, and after a while you decided to pet your cat. Cats are very sensitive to smells. Therefore, it is likely that she will begin to get angry when she smells a foreign smell on her fur coat. And it may not even be the smell of a dog. Any foreign smell can cause aggression. For example, the smell of your friend's cat, who rubbed against you and sat on your lap when you were visiting her. The same reaction can be provoked by any unpleasant odor for the animal. For example, the scent of perfume, hand cream or herbal hair mask.

Also, the cat simply may not like long strokes in one place. She begins to get irritated and with her bites she simply shows you that she has had enough of affection and tenderness. Therefore, if a cat bites when you pet it for a long time, then you should not wean it off, much less punish it. You just shouldn't delay this process. Correction of the animal's behavior is only necessary if the animal is aggressive with the first stretch of hand. In addition, the animal can bite if it is stroked in certain places. For example, at the base of the tail or behind the tail itself, behind the tummy. For some cats, the head and chin are the only areas that are “acceptable” for petting. The rest of the body causes only a negative reaction.

We hope that the site helped you figure out the reason why your cat bites and scratches when you pet it. And don’t forget that cats are capable of experiencing emotions similar to humans, so you shouldn’t immediately start correcting behavior. Try to first identify the cause and eliminate it.

A cat, like a person, has emotions; it can be angry, happy, trust, love and hate. And she conveys her feelings by purring, facial expressions, meowing or actions. But it's not always clear to humans what's on a furry friend's mind when he behaves differently. For example, it is not clear to the owner why the cat bites when you pet it, because, in his opinion, it should experience only positive emotions during petting.

Recommendations for raising cats

• Eye contact.
  The cat family has a negative attitude towards staring and the manner of looking eye to eye. Pets regard such behavior as a challenge and preparation for an attack. Regardless of your cat's age, do not supervise it closely. Observe your pet with peripheral vision without giving yourself away. If you are looking at a cat directly, blink smoothly and frequently, and do not keep your eyes open all the time. After time, your pet will appreciate the changes in your behavior and will want more attention.
• Proper care.
  A cat will grow up affectionate and loving only if it receives the necessary care from its owner. By nature, four-legged friends take care of each other. Your pet expects the same from you. The cat will appreciate the actions associated with slowly stroking its fur and scratching its neck area. Buy a comb, take care of the animal’s fur, while at the same time saying affectionate words in a quiet voice. If you notice a twitching of the tail, this means that the cat is tired of being handled. Reschedule procedures for another time. Purring and stretching will tell you that the pet is happy.
• Treating yourself with a treat.
  Make it a habit to carry a robe in your pocket and keep cat treats on hand. You can purchase a package of treats at a pet store or use homemade products based on your pet’s preferences. When the cat approaches you, give it a treat. Over time, the pet will get used to such actions and will be glad to be nearby. Give out double treats if your cat jumps into your arms.
• Stroking.
  When a cat gets used to the owner, his care, constant feeding of treats, display of restraint and patience, she is around more and more often. Be patient and monitor the animal's behavior. If your ward lies down next to you, placing her back or neck under your arm, do not skimp on stroking. With light movements, satisfy your pet's needs. At the slightest sign of dissatisfaction, stop manipulation. Affection should be in moderation.
• Calmness and restraint.
  If you recently brought a kitten into your home, adjust your behavior. Animals of this kind are afraid of sudden movements and loud sounds, especially if the person and the area are unfamiliar to them. Let the pet get used to its owner. Move smoothly, speak kindly and calmly. If possible, stay close to the cat as often as possible; it is not necessary to pick it up. Let the kitten come to you for a portion of tenderness and attention.
• The direction of affection.
  The cat family takes a long and persistent journey to begin to trust its owner. Many owners fail to achieve this even after 2-3 years of living together with their pet. If you are not one of them, having successfully made friends with your pet, follow the recommendations. When a cat comes to you for a portion of tenderness, you don’t need to grab it in your arms and pull it. Sit down next to him, scratch your tummy, neck, back. Let your pet rub its muzzle against you, stroke the bridge of its nose. Do not touch the cat in places where it is uncomfortable (paws, tail).

how to train a cat at home

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

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 rather rough play involving 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.

Care and attention

Cats love to take care of themselves and each other. Try to become her best friend and use a special soft cat brush to gently comb her fur. If the pet is delighted, it will begin to lick itself. If the procedure begins to irritate the cat, its tail will twitch nervously, which means it’s time to finish these manipulations and move on to playing with candy wrappers (for example).

Why do cats lick and then bite?

But there are situations when a cat first shows affection, licks the owner, and then begins to bite. How to evaluate such strange behavior?

Animal psychologists explain the sudden change as follows:

Cats are quite freedom-loving animals, they still have the instincts of a hunter and a savage, so constant affection can be a burden for him

Yes, they love care and attention, but only in moderation and according to their mood; Or it may be that at first the stroking was pleasant, but then it got boring, but the annoying owner doesn’t stop doing it, and then she bites, trying to explain that that’s enough for today; This behavior may arise due to a negative experience when, after a pleasant stroking, she was hurt or unpleasant. For example, lured in to bathe or give an injection

So, the cat relaxes at first, but then realizes that caresses are deceptive and tries to defend itself.

A treat in your pocket

It wouldn’t be bad if you always had a piece of something tasty for your cat in your robe. So that at the moment when your pet cuddles up to you, you can thank her and treat her. Well, if she went further and jumped into your arms, continuing to purr, then the portion of the bribe can be doubled. It is important at such moments to maintain calm, without showing violent delight. Do not wave your arms and speak quietly so as not to scare the animal.

What to do to prevent bites?

To prevent bites, you need to monitor your cat's body signals, which always precede an attack. Her ears are flattened, she beats her tail and meows threateningly - the animal is irritated, you need to leave him alone. You can check whether the cat is in the mood for affection by extending your hand to her. If the pet sniffs and rubs against her - he doesn’t mind, doesn’t react or deviates - the moment was not chosen.

A cat should not be petted when it is scared, eating or visiting the litter box. She will perceive affection after punishment for an offense as encouragement. You should not touch an animal in a dream - it may perceive this as a violation of personal space. Before petting your pet, you can play active games with him - this will help him lose excess energy and negative emotions.

It is impossible to impose affection and hold a cat by force. You should not approach your pet while spraying yourself with perfume or anointing your hands with cream - cats are very sensitive to odors. She is unlikely to want to be petted if the owner smells of someone else's animal. If the cat rolls over onto its back, exposing its belly, while its tail twitches, you should not give in to the temptation to stroke the soft belly - this will most likely be followed by bites and powerful kicks with its hind legs.

The pet must receive adequate physical activity. You need to play with it for at least 15 minutes a day. To prevent him from getting bored, it is necessary to provide him with toys and provide a place for games, for example, a play complex with a scratching post and multi-level shelves.

If the cat has already begun to attack, you can prevent bites as follows:

lightly click on the nose; leave the room, demonstrating that by behaving in this way, the cat risks losing the owner’s attention; make a sharp sound - clap your hands, whistle or shout; spray with water from a spray bottle (it is not recommended to use this method often - it is very unpleasant for the animal, it may harbor a grudge).

Peculiarities of raising a Briton

This gorgeous breed requires proper coat and nail care.

For cutting, special pliers are used, which usually have a limiter so as not to touch the blood vessel located in the animal’s claw. You can also determine where the vessel ends by eye; just look at the nail in the light and you will see a small dark stripe that does not reach literally 2-3 mm to the end of the claw.

Before raising a British kitten, it is worth noting that these cats are quite selfish, so it is worth starting training in the first months of life. If the fidget does not react to prohibitions or even begins to put even more effort into his dirty tricks, you can use a proven method. To do this, you will need a regular spray bottle, pour a little water into it, and as soon as the smoky bully starts chewing the flowers on the windowsill, spray it a couple of times. It is best that he does not understand that such punishment comes from you, let him be convinced that this is happening involuntarily, and in order not to fall under a forced shower, he will begin to avoid such actions.

The British never consider himself guilty, for him the concept of guilt and conscience does not exist, and if you use physical punishment, you risk becoming his sworn enemy. To decide how to raise a British kitten, you will have to develop a whole plan of action.

Why does a cat respond to affection with bites?

It is possible that if a pet shows aggression, then it has a mental disorder. This happens to animals, as well as to people. In such cases, an opinion should be given by a professional. However, sometimes you can explain why a cat bites and won’t let you pet it using simpler things.

It is generally accepted that cats love to be cuddled. But do not forget that the cat is very independent and willful.

Each animal has its own individual character. Some will purr and cuddle for hours, others, having lived in the house for many years, will maintain their distance. Some pets can allow themselves to be petted, but after a while they will bite their hand. Others do not allow themselves to be touched and immediately begin to bite.

Before moving on to the question of how to wean a purr from biting, you should understand the peculiarities of furry behavior. After all, they also bite differently.

Soft and gentle biting without releasing claws is very rare. This is how cats communicate with their babies. If a fluffy treats your hand like this, then you are rewarded - you have been brought closer and allowed to the very heart.

The cat was lying there and everything was fine, you were petting him, and suddenly everything changed, the little cat began to bite and scratch. In this case, you should figure out why the pet bites, because there is a reason for everything.

A cat can be aggressive when it has problems with socialization. Even in the nursery, breeders accustom babies to hands

It is very important that all these events take place before the kitten is 7 weeks old. Then it is difficult to instill good manners, and the cat reacts inadequately to affection and does not allow itself to be stroked

Perhaps your pet has wounds on its body and touching it causes pain. The animal cannot say that, for example, its joints are twisting or its stomach hurts. If your pet does not allow itself to be petted for some time, you should take the animal to the veterinarian.

Sometimes the owner is wearing synthetic items, and then an electric discharge occurs from contact with dry cat hair. The cat doesn't really want to get an electric shock, so she stays away.

Cats are different: some need attention 24 hours a day, they love to be petted, while others are not impressed by such hyper-attention, and they begin to bite. It is possible that while you were stroking her pussy, she fell asleep

It is possible that while you were stroking her pussy, she fell asleep.

Your careless movement may wake her up. Out of fright, she may quite bite you by the arm.

Cats can demonstrate their leadership by deciding when they can be petted and when not.

Sometimes a cat begins to lick, and then suddenly the impulse of tenderness gives way to a bite. The reason may be that the animal was expecting affection or a treat, but the person ignored it, and its desire remained unfulfilled.

Also, cats are by nature more flexible than cats, and more often allow themselves to be stroked.

Theories about the preconditions for aggressive behavior

To explain the causes of inappropriate behavior, animal psychologists adhere to the theory of overpetting aggression. This term is applied to aggressive behavior of an animal caused by excessive affection. Unfortunately, the opinion that all cats love to be petted and show attention to their person is wrong.

It often happens that at first the pet tolerates stroking and caressing. This creates the illusion that the animal likes this attitude. However, an experienced breeder and cat breeder, observing how the cat’s body tenses and begins to move its ears, will immediately guess that the pet is uncomfortable with affection. An inexperienced person will miss these signals, or even begin to stroke the dissatisfied animal with even greater zeal.

Further caresses usually lead to the pet biting and scratching the owner. Overpetting aggression is a poorly understood phenomenon. Experts believe that this behavior is typical for unsocialized animals, as well as for individuals with a high sensitivity threshold. Such a reaction is often caused by a sudden awakening of the pet, when the cat is not able to assess in the first fractions of a second the danger of the actions being taken against it.

The cat's teeth are changing

The service life of a cat’s milk teeth is short – ten weeks, sometimes a little more. Teeth change begins at three months of age and should be completed by 8 months. Most often, the process takes place without complications and is completely unnoticed by the owner: a cat’s milk teeth are very small, kittens often swallow them.

This does not cause any harm to health. But it happens that the baby’s gums itch, and he tries to get rid of the unpleasant sensations. The method he chooses is not pleasant. Therefore, if the biting pet is still a teenager, it makes sense to examine its mouth: sometimes the baby teeth stay too long. But you cannot help your cat cope with a persistent tooth on your own: this must be done by a veterinarian.

Interesting facts about cats.

Why do cats spend so much time licking their fur? For cats, licking, in addition to being a means of hygiene, is a way to maintain mental balance. Grooming calms and neutralizes incipient aggressiveness. By licking, the cat licks from the fur a certain amount of a substance containing vitamin B, which is necessary to regulate mental balance. If you deprive a cat of this opportunity, he will become nervous and may even die.

Why does a cat sometimes try to lick your face or hair? The first impression a kitten receives from its mother is care in the form of licking and washing. For him, this is an act of care and concern, so if the cat (or cat) tries to lick you, take it as an attempt to take care of you in a motherly way.

Why do cats sometimes lick and bite woolen clothes, balls, scarves? There are several theories, but scientists generally believe that the reason is the same as in the previous question.

Why are some people allergic to cat hair? Strictly speaking, the allergy is not caused by fur, but by the FEL D1 protein contained in cat saliva. When a cat washes itself and licks itself, it transfers saliva to its fur, after which it can end up on furniture and carpets. Different individuals have different amounts of protein secreted, but in general, cats are less allergenic than cats. There are two ways to prevent such an allergy - bathe the cat, rinsing the substances from the fur (which is not recommended to do often), or wipe the cat's fur with a special soft cloth.

Why does a cat, lying in your arms, move its paws, “beating” something? The reason again lies in childhood. A kitten feeding on mother's milk, massaging the cat's belly with its paws, stimulates the “supply” of milk. An adult animal uses this technique to show extreme comfort and satisfaction.

Why do cats usually

Source

Causes of bites

Experienced breeders know that a healthy and well-trained animal will never show aggression towards a person out of the blue. Inappropriate behavior of a pet is usually associated with health problems, disorders of psycho-emotional development, as well as errors made during upbringing.

A person is perceived by street cats as a hostile object, from which they can use claws and teeth to defend themselves.

Among the many reasons for cat aggression, the owner must understand which factor is the trigger in a particular case.

Why does a cat rub its muzzle against a person's face?

Moments when a cat rubs its muzzle against its owner’s face speak of surges of tenderness; the cat expresses not just devotion, but also love and trust in its person. As a rule, at such moments the animal craves eye contact, so it chooses the face as the object for the mark.

The behavior of cats is largely mysterious and inexplicable, but the answer to the question of why cats rub their faces against the legs and face of the owner is quite simple.

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1. Why does a cat sometimes try to lick your face or hair?

The first impression that a kitten receives from its mother is care in the form of licking and washing. For him, this is an act of care and concern, so if the cat (or cat) tries to lick you, take it as an attempt to take care of you in a motherly way.

2. Why does a cat, lying in your arms, move its paws, “beating” something?

The reason again lies in childhood. A kitten feeding on mother's milk, massaging the cat's belly with its paws, stimulates the “supply” of milk. An adult animal uses this technique to show extreme comfort and satisfaction.

3. Why do cats usually go to the arms or legs of someone who doesn’t like them?

When one cat tries to scare another, it arches its back, raises its fur and makes a threatening hiss.

If a person does not like cats, he tries to sit quietly so as not to attract the attention of the animal. And the cat considers this a sign of favor

Doesn't hiss, doesn't move - that means he's a friend.

4. Why does a cat try to hit its head on a person?

Sometimes a house cat will come up and lightly bump its head against the legs of family members. It turns out that this is a way of expressing affection, and they can express this behavior in relation to other members of their tribe, not just people.

How to wean yourself from a bad habit

Many owners of furry aggressors are trying to solve the question of why a cat bites just like that. Experienced breeders and animal psychologists believe that there is always a very specific reason behind aggressive behavior. By identifying the motive that prompts aggression, you can correct the behavior of your domestic cat. Experts recommend the following ways to get rid of a bad habit:

Young kittens should be accustomed to the presence of humans as early as possible. Babies need to be held, stroked, caressed. Under no circumstances should you tease a kitten with your hands or use them as an object to play with. The baby should only play with teasers, toys and other devices.

A visit to the veterinarian will help rule out disease as the reason why the cat bites.

Under no circumstances should you punish a cat for bites inflicted during play. Any opposition will cause the pet to become even more aggressive. The best thing to do is to remove your hand and stop communicating with the cat for a while. The animal can also be distracted, for example, by offering to play with a toy.

Instead of physical punishment, you can influence your pet psychologically: grab it by the scruff of the neck and hold it suspended for a few seconds. This will remind the aggressor of the lessons of the cat mother.

Patience, knowledge of your pet’s psychology and consistency in actions will help you wean yourself off the bad habit, and communication with your animal will be pleasant and safe.

Why do cats act strange?

Does anyone really know why cats act so strangely towards you? Not really, but veterinarians like to at least make educated guesses. And one of the most pressing questions about cat behavior is this: Why does your cat sometimes turn into a soft and furry version of the Incredible Hulk when you're in the middle of what you thought was a bonding moment with your pet?

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According to VetStreet, cats that bite the hand that's petting them probably don't do it without reason, even if it appears your pet bit you out of anger. Cat owners call it "love bites," but veterinarians have a much more sociopathic name for the behavior: "petting aggression." Signs of petting aggression include biting while petting and leering at sleeping people from dark corners of the room.

Killing Birds

Cats are carnivores, and whether they are indoor-only, free-roaming, or even strays, birds and mice are their favorite prey.

To avoid your pet killing birds, you can add birdhouses and feeders on your property that will be out of reach of your cat.

How to accustom a cat to your hands

You can try to accustom your cat to physical contact, but you need to do this gradually, and do not insist if the animal does not like something. Forced stroking can only worsen the situation; the cat will break free and most likely begin to bite and scratch. If you hold a cat forcibly in your arms, it will be afraid and may begin to hide from people, seeing an intention to touch it.

It is easier to train a kitten or young cat to sit in your arms than a mature cat. When accustoming a timid cat to your hands, for starters, you can limit yourself to a light touch with your fingertips; it’s better to do this in passing, after which you should leave the cat alone for a while. Gradually you can move on to occasional, unobtrusive stroking in the direction of fur growth.

Having turned such stroking into a kind of ritual, you need to let the cat get used to it, and only then move on to greater intimacy. You can try feeding your cat from your palm so that it is not afraid of your hands. You can pick up the cat when it stops avoiding touching, and you don’t need to hold the cat if it starts to resist.

To get closer to a cat, some experienced owners recommend encouraging it with some kind of treat, so that the proximity of the owner’s hands evokes positive emotions in it. You can use catnip for the same purpose, but you should not get carried away with the aromatic bait to prevent addiction.

By showing patience, an attentive owner will be able to reach an understanding with his pet and, perhaps, the cat will share his desire and, over time, will begin to enjoy sitting in his arms. If this does not happen, then the owner will have to come to terms with the cat’s character and not insist. If a cat does not want to sit in a person’s arms, this does not mean that she does not love him.

The breed of a cat affects its character

Some cats are not affectionate from birth, but they can be made more friendly. There are factors that influence the behavior of an animal. The first importance here is the breed: a British cat most likely will not want to sit on your hands, since he has an independent character.

In order to make your cat more affectionate, pamper her, spend time with her, play, then she will purr more often and will begin to seek communication on her own..

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Projecting the image of a mother onto a person

People specifically chose animals that are more willing to make contact and respond better to touch, because communicating with them is easier and more pleasant. An example is everyone's favorite domestic cat. They perceive stroking so well that a childish instinct awakens in them. Many cats begin to stomp with their paws when they are petted. These movements usually stimulate kittens to produce and release milk from their mother.

Under the influence of such caresses and the hormones produced, a pet can project an image of its mother onto the person who strokes it. This way the bond between the owner and the pet becomes even stronger, affection and love appear that last a lifetime.

A cat that is petted at home will in any case return to its household, and a dog that is not deprived of affection will rush to the defense of its owner in any situation. So stroking can play a huge role in shaping the proper character and correct behavior of a pet.

Passion for heights

You have probably repeatedly observed how street cats, in case of danger, hide in trees, climbing as high as possible. So, your domestic cat has the same instincts as stray cats. She sometimes wants to be able to be alone, somewhere high, for example on a closet. So that this secluded place is inaccessible to other animals in the house and people. Give her this opportunity by opening access to the closet, and in return you will receive great gratitude and respect.

Why do cats lick and then bite?

But there are situations when a cat first shows affection, licks the owner, and then begins to bite. How to evaluate such strange behavior?

Animal psychologists explain the sudden change as follows:

Cats are quite freedom-loving animals, they still have the instincts of a hunter and a savage, so constant affection can be a burden for him

Yes, they love care and attention, but only in moderation and according to their mood; Or it may be that at first the stroking was pleasant, but then it got boring, but the annoying owner doesn’t stop doing it, and then she bites, trying to explain that that’s enough for today; This behavior may arise due to a negative experience when, after a pleasant stroking, she was hurt or unpleasant. For example, lured in to bathe or give an injection

So, the cat relaxes at first, but then realizes that caresses are deceptive and tries to defend itself.

Who is the head in this house

Never humiliate a cat by pointing out its place in the house. They are by nature incapable of obeying and can only feel happy when they are on an equal footing with their household members. Screaming, beating and punishment will not help you in raising your pet. Give her freedom and let her be the mistress of the house. Only steely patience and methodical persuasion will help correct her behavior. But on the other hand, the cat will definitely thank you for your understanding with its tenderness and affection.

How and where to pet a cat

The first thing to consider is that you need to pet the cat when she wants it and leave the animal alone exactly at the moment when the cat is satisfied with the tenderness. Part of this is respect for your pet and his wishes. Many cats do not like prolonged caresses and stroking, so they usually purr for the first 2-3 minutes, and then suddenly begin to bite and scratch. There's nothing you can do, those cats are selfish!

Before you start actively stroking your pet, extend your finger or hand to the cat's nose, give the cat the opportunity to smell or touch your hand. Thus, you can clearly understand whether your cat is ready to make contact. After all, if a cat clearly ignores your actions, it means that she is more than in the mood for affection.

If your pet starts rubbing against your hand and sniffing it, then most likely he is ready to be petted. Open your palm and gently stroke the animal along the fur.

Read what should be in a pet's first aid kit.

1. The area on the back of the head between the ears of cats is one of the most “grateful” in response to gentle touches. If you are not sure what exactly your pet likes, then you should start with gentle stroking, with the pads of your fingers, with little perceptible pressure. Walk from one ear to the other, pause and gently massage the area just behind the ear. It is quite possible that after a few seconds the cat will begin to “mellow” and slowly.

2. Don’t forget about such an attractive part of a cat’s face as the cheeks. Some pets simply go crazy when they are caressed with fingertips in the area under the eyes and whiskers. Personally, my cat will “sell her homeland” for such tenderness.

3. Most cats' necks and chests are also incredibly responsive to finger strokes. Start by lightly touching your chin with your fingertips, slowly moving towards your neck. And, if the cat likes your caresses, it will begin to purr and actively stretch its neck, giving you an unhindered opportunity to stroke both its neck and chest.

4. The next thing you can do to show your furry one love and tenderness is to run your palm along the fur from the neck along the back, but without touching the area near the tail and, especially, without touching the tail itself. If the cat likes what you are doing, then it will begin to arch its back, rubbing its forehead against your hand, as if urging you to repeat the gentle movement again and again.

5. Paws and pads are very delicate and sensitive parts of a cat's body. But some people simply adore it when they are stroked on their paws from top to bottom or gently caress the pads of their favorite paws with their fingertips. Whether your pet likes it or not, you will find out very quickly, the main thing is that you are not afraid to try to bring moments of tenderness and affection to your cat.

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Why do some cats hate having their bellies scratched?

It's all about hypersensitivity. Touching areas of fur that are made up of hair follicles can give a cat a wide range of sensations. Cats love you to scratch behind the ear, face or neck, but they won’t let you touch their tail and belly - these are areas of increased sensitivity, touching which not only does not bring pleasure, but can also be unpleasant.

Explaining cat behavior is extremely important for owners, because it is the only way to convey some important information to us. Each domestic cat is individual, so pay attention to its behavior, try to decipher and understand.

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