Where should you pet a cat?

All of us cat lovers like to pamper our felines, but more than once we have received a claw, blow or bite when trying to pet the furry family member. And our little friend does not always want to be caressed or have physical contact.

We all need to become familiar with certain codes and guidelines to maintain a good relationship with them. In this post we explain where to pet your four-legged friend to help him relax (and not start an unwanted war).

But first of all... what basic tips should you follow when petting your cat?

Before telling you which areas are the best, we advise you to follow a series of guidelines to get closer to your kitten and not die trying.

First of all, you should pay attention to their body language. If a cat bumps its head into your hands, for example, it's a sign that it wants to be petted... and if it turns its back on you, it's because it doesn't want your cuddles.

It is also important that you are calm when approaching your kitten and find a place where he is relaxed. If not, you will get the opposite results to what you are looking for and you will receive more than one scratch.

On the other hand, when you approach your furry friend, we advise you to speak to him in a calm and close manner. If you use a tender and affectionate tone, you can create a climate suitable for your roommate to accept you and you can begin the massage safely.

It is also preferable to put your hand towards his nose and let him sniff you before lunging at him.

Two situations can happen: he doesn't show any interest in you and looks at your hand suspiciously (an ideal time to leave where you came); or that he will approach you and rub his head against your hand (a sign that you can take a little more risk).

Having said all that... where is it best to pet a cat?

There are certain places where cats enjoy petting more. And we can help you know which place is best:

Head

The head is probably the best place to start an interaction with our feline friend. We recommend touching that part lightly with your fingertips, focusing on the area of the ears, chin, forehead or mustache. Touching the chin and face envelops them in a state of well-being, making them feel more relaxed and happy.

The loin

Another option is to stroke the cat's back along its back, from the neck to the base of the tail. They tend to like this area and whether you do it forcefully or a little more gently, they will feel like they are getting a massage.

Belly

If you are thinking of attacking this area, be very careful! Most cats don't like having their bellies rubbed at all. Even the most affectionate animals can interpret a touch in that area as an invitation to the bloodiest game.

The paws

Felines are very delicate with their paws. For this reason, we recommend that you do not play with these areas unless you are aware that your cat really likes it. If you are an adventurer (and want to take the risk) you can start the caresses on other parts of the body (with very soft and delicate movements), and go down to the feet to see what happens... but be aware that you can take a risk.

Despite all this, it is important to note that, like humans, each cat has its own particular hobbies and tastes. Although the head and neck are the most recommended places, you have to experiment with each feline in particular.