It is quite a popular statement that is owning a cat is good for your heart and peace of mind in the long run, which is not incorrect. But did you know that most cat owners feel peace and joy when their cat expresses joy at being petted and caressed by them? By petting your cat, you can regulate and potentially lower your stress levels because cats require low maintenance.
Some people who love cats but are afraid of their pointy claws and sharp teeth hesitate to come closer to cats out of fear of getting a scratch or being bitten. This can make them anxious and feel left out from being unable to interact with a cat. However, knowing the areas where cats love to be petted can make it far easier for you to counter your fear of their claws and enjoy a little bonding time with the furry creatures.
Now that we have you convinced that you can, in fact, successfully overcome your fear and easily pet a cat you come across. Here we talk about where do cats like to be pet by identifying some areas that you should focus on to make it easier for your furry companion to be relaxed and not tense while getting a light massage from your hands.
Where do Cats Like to be Pet?
Cats are animals of touch, they love the attention, and they certainly wag their tails in happiness when they do know that they have your adoring and loving gaze focused completely on them. With that being aside, certain areas will give you the most rewarding reactions from your cat based on the degree of trust they have in you. Moreover, it will allow your cat to relax and for you to experience the endorphins.
Face
If you watch any cat videos or observe anyone petting a cat, you notice they always go for the face first. There are three main areas on the face where cats enjoy being petted; the cheeks, forehead, and chin. These areas are where their facial glands are located, making cats purr with joy when you caress them using your fingers or the back of your hand. When you perform that, a cat’s tail will start moving and move closer to you.
Ears
This is another area where facial glands are located, and cats love being petted over here. Scratching cat ears or lightly caressing them both work as long as the cat is enjoying itself, which would be visible from the way their facial expression relaxes. In this case, their tail will also move from side to side while it is in the air.
Nape of the Neck
The nape is another great area if your cat sits on your lap with its face facing away from you. You can begin stroking cats from the forehead and move your fingers backward towards their ears and their neck. Watch as their tail gives you a reaction of how much they are enjoying the petting time by you. Additionally, your cat can also start kneading their paws into a nearby surface such as a bed or sofa to display the extent of their enjoyment.
Back
If you are caressing the nape of their neck, you can glide your hand further to cover their back. Using your palm with fingers spread out, feel how your cat relaxes under your touch. With soft rhythmic strokes and gentle pressure, you can pet them at their sweet spot, which is usually at the end of the back.
Underbelly
Once your cat is familiar with you, they will start lying down in a position to expose their underbelly and lift their paws up, similar to how a baby behaves. That is your cue to caress them on their underbelly. Petting a cat on its underbelly means that they trust you unconditionally and have allowed you to touch them at their most sensitive and well-protected area.
Areas Where Cats Do Not Like to Be Petted
Now that we are familiar with areas where cats purr with joy when touched. Certain areas can result in pissing your cat off or potentially causing them to scratch their nails on you. So be sure to avoid such areas when giving loving caresses to your cat because it can make you give up petting altogether.
Stomach
The stomach is one of the most vulnerable areas of a cat. Usually, not every cat loves being petted over there. Even if they are lying in a position where they have exposed their stomach with their paws raised, it doesn’t mean that they are open to being touched over there. If you try to pet their stomach when they are not ready to let you, cats can swipe in their paw with their nails out to defend themselves.
Front Legs
Petting a cat on its front legs is a very big risk to take because that is where its claws are present. It also makes your cat feel vulnerable because their legs are the only weapons and means of movement.
Tail
Cats do not like when their tails are held or pulled. It can make them feel agitated very quickly, so be sure not to caress them too much on their tails, or they might attack your hand. The more it starts moving, the quicker you should move your hand away from its tail because that is the only warning sign that cats will give.
Our Final Thoughts
Caressing and petting cats can be one of the most rewarding actions for a cat owner because it stimulates not only cats to be relaxed but for you to experience endorphins. Cats are known to be attuned to their owner’s stress, and they will come to you with their adorable eyes asking to be petted. Here’s hoping that this guide on where to do cats like to be pet makes it easier for you next time to approach any cat with confidence.
