When a cat approaches can we stroke it? What are the signs that should encourage or alert us? What behaviors to adopt? Here are the recommendations of Mathilde Guillon behavioral veterinarian in Poitiers.
She must be in the air. This means that he wants to interact with a human. On the contrary, if the tail is low, immediately forget your desire to give it a tickle.
If he moves it jerkily, there is something he doesn’t like. Keep your hand away, it’s safer.
- The orientation of the ears
If the cat has its ears back: it is not happy and the hug will have to wait.
- Reach out and let it sniff us
It is he who must come to us and not the other way around.
- Itchy head and cheeks
…rather than the back. Stroking a cat’s back tends to annoy it (unlike a dog).
This doesn’t necessarily mean he wants to be cuddled but just wants a positive interaction.