How to caress and stretch the cat according to science

Many of us will face that friendly cat that likes to be touched at some point, just to bite us or hit us lightly afterward. In this case, it may be easy to blame the cat, but what most likely happens is that we don't know how to master the cat the right way. To understand why, we first need to know more about the cat breed. The ancestors of the domestic cat (such as the African wildcat) were probably considered merely a means of pest control, but contemporary cats are often treated as one of our valuable owners or as "fur-coated children".

This social shift in the relationship between humans and cats is believed to have occurred about 4,000 years ago — a little more delayed than the "man's best friend" — the domestic dog. Although this may seem like enough time for species to fully adapt to growing social demands, this is unlikely to be the case with your son-in-one. Domestic cats also show a relatively modest genetic deviation from their ancestors, which means their brains may still be connected to the idea of being wild cats.

Wild cats live a secluded life and invest considerable time and effort in communicating indirectly — through visual and chemical messages — just to avoid having to see each other. It is therefore unlikely that domestic cats have inherited many complex social skills from their relatives.

Human beings, on the other hand, are a social species by their very nature — they prefer proximity and touch to express affection. We are also attracted to childish-looking features — big eyes, wide forehead, small nose, and round face — which is why most of us find cat faces so attractive.

It's not surprising, then, that our initial reaction is when we see a cat or kitten wanting to caress, embrace and squeeze. But at the same time, it's not surprising that so many cats view this type of interaction as somewhat exaggerated.

Cat emotions

Although many cats like to caress, they even prefer food sometimes, they have to learn to enjoy human interaction during a relatively sensitive and short period – when they are between two and seven weeks old.

When it comes to interaction between humans and cats, human characteristics are also important. Our characters, gender, cat body areas we touch, and how we deal with cats, in general, may play an important role in how the cat responds to our emotions.

Although some cats may react aggressively to unwanted physical attention, others may only tolerate our social progress as opposed to good things (food and housing).

On this basis, tolerant cats are not necessarily happy cats. Scientists have revealed higher levels of stress in cats, which their owners have described as tolerant rather than hate.

How to stroke a cat

The key to success in cat stroking is to focus on providing the cat with the greatest choice and control during the interaction as much as possible. For example, the option of indicating whether they want to walk or not, controlling where we touch from their bodies, and how long it takes.

Because of our tactile nature and the love of cute things, this method may not be instinctively acquired by many of us. It is likely to require little restraint. But it can pay off, and research has shown that interaction with cats is likely to last longer when the cat initiates it instead of humans.

It is also important to focus close attention on the cat's behavior and attitude during the interaction, to make sure it is comfortable. When it comes to touch, less touch is often more comfortable for cats. This is not only true during veterinary handling, but also during more relaxed encounters with ordinary people.

Most friendly cats will enjoy touching around areas where their facial glands are located, including the bottom of their ears, under their chin and around their cheeks. These places are usually preferred to areas such as their abdomen, back and tail base.

Signs of enjoyment in cats:

Hold the tail in a straight position and initiate friction.
the purity and massage with its front feet.
Gently waving the tail from side to side while lifting it in the air.
Take a relaxed posture and relaxing facial expression, and inking the ears and pointing them forward.
Give you a nice boost if you stop while you're mastering them.

Signs of aversion or tension from cat acidification:

Remove, move, or remove their heads from you
Do not react (do not snort or rub)
Over-win, shake or lick your heads or body or lick their noses
Quick and short clicks of preparation
The skin is crowned or trembling, usually along the length of its appearance
I'm not going to do that.
Flatten the ears on the sides or rotate them backward
Sudden sharp turn in the head to confront you or face your hand
Biting, beating or beating with her claws
How to master a cat according to science how to learn if your cat is like a fun to play with how to catch your cat without some of you why cats bite their owners

If cats are "fur-coated children", this is debatable. A lot of cats like to be touched and caressed, but maybe many don't, and some tolerate it at best.

In the end, when it comes to cats, it's important to respect their boundaries - and the wild animals inside them - even if it means admiring their gentleness from afar.

Lauren Finca, Post-Doctoral Researcher, Nottingham Trent University.

Read more about Welcome a dog in a home already sheltering a cat