How to Pet a Cat in the Right Spots

Cats are fascinating and mysterious creatures. They twirl around your legs, inviting you to pet them. However, as soon as you begin, they may bite you and run off. To minimize the risk of upsetting your cat and causing it to bite, take the time to understand its behavior and habits before attempting to pet it. Once you learn this, your cat will grow fond of you!

Be patient. When you meet a new cat, don't rush in and start petting immediately. Like humans, cats are cautious around strangers. Additionally, you're much larger than a cat—about ten times bigger—so it's easy to understand why the cat might feel intimidated at first.

Let the cat come to you. When a cat wants your attention, it will make sure you know. When entering a room with a new cat, continue with your activities until the cat approaches you and tries to get your attention.

• These behaviors may include: rubbing against your legs, purring, nudging its head or cheek against you, sitting on your lap, or meowing at you.

Start gently. When meeting a new cat, it's best to begin by gently scratching the top of its head between the ears. Don’t rush to pet its whole body, scratch its ears, or touch its tail until the cat becomes comfortable with you, and you’ve learned its limits.

Don’t pet a cat when it’s lying on its back. Cats often roll onto their backs and expose their bellies, trying to look as cute as possible. For many, this may seem like an invitation to pet the cat’s belly. However, this actually signals that the cat trusts you and believes you won’t invade its personal space. Disrupting this trust and petting the cat’s belly is the quickest way to get scratched or bitten.

• Though some cats truly enjoy belly rubs, most do not. If a new cat rolls onto its back and stares at you, it could be a “deadly cute trap,” and you might get bitten or scratched if you attempt to pet its belly.

Identify an angry cat. Most people get attacked by cats when trying to pet them because of a misunderstanding in communication. A cat approaching you doesn’t necessarily mean it wants affection. The cat may simply be sniffing or investigating because it wants to play or eat. Some signs that a cat doesn’t want affection include:

• Folded ears
• Dilated pupils
• Tail flicking rapidly or hitting the ground
• Ceasing to purr
• Constant squirming or twisting its body
• Growling or hissing

Engage in a process of 'trial and error.' Every cat is unique and has different preferences for petting. Some cats love having their ears scratched, while others won’t let you near their ears. Therefore, you need to try petting your cat in different spots and observe their reactions to understand what they like and dislike. Cats will purr and relax when they enjoy what you're doing, so pay attention to these signs.

• Usually, cats will guide you on how they like to be petted by rubbing their head or favorite spots against your hand. Petting should be to please the cat, so let it guide you.

Start with 'safe' spots. Touch is one of your most important communication tools. While each cat has its own preferred petting spots, there are areas that almost all cats enjoy being touched. The top of the head—between the ears, under the chin, and along the sides of the cheeks—are common spots cats love to be petted, so begin there.

Pet the ears. Try gently scratching and massaging the cat’s ears. Cats who enjoy this type of petting also like having the inside of their ears lightly rubbed.

• Be careful not to hurt the cat or pull its ears too hard.

Scratch the cat’s chin and cheeks. A cat’s cheeks contain scent glands that allow them to mark objects and territories with their scent. Scratch the cheeks from the whiskers down to the tail, or gently scratch under the jaw and along the neck.

Try petting the cat’s entire body. Start at the top of the head, then use your open palm to stroke the cat’s back along the spine all the way to the tail.

• The cat may really enjoy this type of petting, but be cautious. Cats can get overly excited when petted this way and may bite or scratch you.

Pet the cat in the right spots. Many cats enjoy having their backs scratched, and they like it when you pet against the grain of their fur. Be a little more enthusiastic when scratching the back and the area where the back meets the tail. This will make the cat very happy and is a good way to check for fleas.

• Studies show that a cat’s tail can also be a 'sensitive zone' when petting. Unless you’re certain the cat enjoys tail rubs, it’s best to avoid this area.

Choose the right time to pet the cat. Cats generally prefer being petted when they are relaxed and in the mood to show affection. Pet your cat when it wants to be petted, not just when it’s convenient for you. Generally, cats enjoy being petted after eating, but each cat is different. Therefore, choose a time that works best for your cat.