Why you're stroking your cat completely wrong (and how to do it right) - BBC Focus Magazine

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What’s the best way to stroke a cat? Answer: probably not the way you’re doing it. Although you may think petting is a proven way to bond with your moggy, they’re unlikely to enjoy this physical contact.

As Dr Lauren Finka, cat behavioural expert from Nottingham Trent University, explains: “Although some cats may like it, lots of them certainly don’t want to be stroked the way they normally are. They’re probably just very tolerant of it because of the benefits a relationship with you bring – think of all the food, treats and attention you give them.

“When it comes to petting, it’s best to remember that cats aren’t inherently social animals.”

In short: if you suspect your cat only puts up with your fondling to nab another bite of dinner, you’re probably completely right. Particularly if you’re consistently touching their back end

“Granted, we know limited amounts about this from a scientific perspective. But research has shown that although people think cats like being stroked down to the base of their tail, this can actually produce the most negative behavioural responses from cats,” says Finka.

Alongside the lower back, Finka advises staying away from the belly, with your cat having evolved to keep this area protected. A cat’s vital organs are exposed at their navel, so they’re likely to see touching in this area as a threat.

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“With this said, there is a lot of variability in what cats enjoy. This is based on their personality, but also their early experiences. Cats that are well handled by humans from a young age – particularly during the ‘sensitive’ period of two to eight weeks of age – are more likely to enjoy handling,” says Finka.

“However, just because you have a friendly cat doesn’t mean they love being mollycoddled and squished. Even if a cat is meowing and rubbing against you, it doesn’t mean they’re fine with any sort of handling. You need to pay attention to their body language.”

A cat showing positive body language (note the raised tail) © Getty

So, what subtle signs of annoyance – or, as feline behavioural experts call it, “negative arousal” – should you look out for? “When annoyed, cats might very sharply turn their head towards our hands. Or they may turn their heads to look at us,” says Finka.

“Normally, when they’re doing this, they’re going to have ears that are not pointing directly forward – they might be slightly rotated or flattened.

“You may also notice nose licking or slight twitching in their tails. A tail held close to the ground is also a negative sign (while a raised tail is normally associated with ‘positive arousal’), alongside a sudden burst of grooming or rippled fur.”

“These indicators are happening all the time in most cats I observe being touched, but people just tend to not focus on them – or misinterpret what they actually mean.”

What is the best way to stroke a cat?

As you might have guessed by now, there’s a lot you can do wrong when stroking a cat. However, there are areas where some cats may be more likely to enjoy being petted: around the face – predominantly, the cheeks and under the chin.

“This is probably because these areas of the face contain a lot of glands that produce scent,” says Finka. “Not only do cats seem to enjoy spreading their scent, but these areas probably intrinsically feel quite nice to be stimulated.”

Of course, your cat, being the absolute weirdo it is, may also enjoy being stroked in other areas. If in doubt, looking for “positive arousal” signals: purring, kneading and gentle tail waving side-to-side are all good signs.

Overall, when it comes to stroking your cat, it may be best to consider Finka’s petting guidelines (currently being researched at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home).

And you’re not going to believe the acronym it follows…

C: Provide the cat with choice and control during the interaction.

Gently offer your hand to the cat, allow the cat to approach you, and let them choose if they want to interact or not.
If the cat wants to be touched, they will rub against you. If they don’t make contact, avoid stroking the cat.
Allow the cat to control how much you stroke them. If stroking the cat, briefly pause every 3-5 seconds to ‘check in’ with the cat – when you stop stroking them, do they rub against you to ask for more? If not, they may be ready for a break.

A: Pay attention to the cat’s behaviour and body language; the following are also signs that the cat may need a little break:

The cat moves away from you
Their ears become flattened or rotate backwards
They shake their head
The fur on their back appears to ripple
They lick their nose
They go a bit still, and stop purring or rubbing against you
They sharply turn their head to face you or your hand
They suddenly start grooming themselves, lasting only a few seconds

T: Think about where you’re touching the cat.

Most friendly cats will prefer being touched under their chin, around their cheeks and at the base of their ears, so try to stick mainly to these areas.
Avoid the base of the tail and tummy, and be cautious then touching the cat’s back, legs and tail – pay close attention to their body language to see if they appear comfortable.

Follow this guidance and, who knows, your cat may come to truly love you. Well, enough to cross your off their lengthy ‘humans that must be destroyed’ list anyway.

About Dr Lauren Finka

Dr Lauren Finka is a cat behavioural expert from Nottingham Trent University. She has over a decade’s experience working academically with felines.

Finka is also a specialist consultant for Battersea Dogs and Cats Home and also works with International Cat Care (ICatCare) and International Society for Feline Medicine (ISFM) on various behaviour and welfare projects.

Read more about the science of cats