.jpg)
If you own a cat, then you've probably learned what your cat enjoys and what overstimulates & results to them clawing or biting your skin. Nonetheless, cats LOVE attention from their owners and every cat has a preference of what that attention will look like:
A time period that they allow for petting
A pressure they like exerted - hard strokes, temple rubs, repetitive pats, or even scratches
An area of their body that they prefer to be touched - under the chin, down the back, etc (places to avoid till you know the cat better: tummy, paw, tail, and face).
When you are petting your cat, you are allowing for them to mark you with their scent glands. Cats have scent glands at the base of their back, along their tail, the corners of their mouths, under their chins, on their cheeks, behind their ears, on their temples and between their paw pads. By allowing them to mark you with their scent glands you are creating a safe and familiar space.
Overall, these petting sessions should be enjoyable for the both of you so avoid over doing the petting. Signs your cat is becoming over stimulated include the following:
Purring stops
The end of their tail will flicker/twitch
Full tail flick
Cat moves away
Ears go back/down
Pupils dilate
Body gets stiff
Meow/growl
Don't let your cats overstimulation signs steer you away from bonding with them, you might just be surprised to see how "needy" your cat may actually be. My two boys are very demanding when it comes to them getting their daily petting sessions.
Comments