PAWS Academy: How to Safely Pet a Cat

Written by Madi Cook, PAWS Education Intern

Welcome Back To PAWS Academy!

The fifth episode of PAWS Academy is here! This time we describe the steps to safely petting a pet cat and cover how to interpret cat body language.

How To Approach A Cat

The first step to safely petting a cat has to do with the beginning approach. The trick to approaching a cat is to not, especially if this is the first time you are interacting.  By allowing the cat to approach you instead, the cat is the one making the decision to initiate contact. This is crucial, because walking up to a cat can be threatening from the cat’s perspective. Remember the size difference between a human and a cat and put yourself in the cat’s position. A hand, particularly when moving towards you, can become scary and unpredictable. Ways to seem less hostile to a cat could be reducing your size by getting on their level. If you are comfortable around the cat, kneeling or sitting on the ground can achieve that. Additionally, holding out your hand low to the ground in a still manner can work as an invitation where the cat can maintain a safe distance from your body while checking out the situation.

Cat Body Language

The second step is to evaluate the body language of the cat and interpret whether the cat wants to be pet or not. Just because a cat starts the contact does not mean they will stay comfortable during a prolonged interaction. Some signs of negative emotions like fright include an arched back and tucked tail. If the cat’s fur stands on end this is another sign of fear. If a cat becomes irritated, they can give you warnings signs by flicking their tail in a sharp and rhythmic fashion. Flattened ears can also be a sign of negative emotion like fear or anger. Avoid touching a cat if it exhibits any negative emotions through body language to ensure the safety of the cat and you. If the cat growls, hisses or yowls these are vocal indications of discomfort. Constantly reevaluate the cat, because they can change their mind. Typically, a relaxed tail indicates friendliness and is a good sign that a cat will accept being pet.

Areas To Pet A Cat

The third step to a successful and safe interaction with a cat is knowing where and where not to touch. Most cats enjoy being pet on the head. Therefore, the safe zone includes areas like the base of their ears, under their chin, and around their cheeks. It is also a safe bet to avoid petting a cat’s stomach as they instinctually defend this area as it holds valuable organs. These are general guidelines to follow. It is vital to recognize that cats are individuals and have different preferences that you should pay attention and adapt to.

Why Should You Care?

When interacting with animals, respect is of utmost importance. Even if you have good intentions, the cat cannot read your mind. Following the three steps outlined above is a simple way to avoid excess stress to the animal and can be the foundation to a trusting relationship.

A selfish, but still valid reason to following the above steps is to keep yourself safe and reduce the chance of injury. If a cat is put in a circumstance where they are afraid or agitated, it is natural for them to defend themselves with their claws and teeth.

This Week’s Activities

We invite you to expand your knowledge of step two by trying out our Cat Body Language tool which you can find here as well as testing your knowledge of the steps and a crossword puzzle!

Continue Learning With Us!

If you missed last week’s Earth Day Special click here to check it out and learn about how taking care of the Earth is another way to respect animals. You can also find any of our other videos or activities at paws.org/PAWSAcademy. Tune in next Wednesday at 12 p.m. PT for the sixth PAWS Academy video and blog post about helping dogs feel safe and continue to explore how you can make a difference in animals’ lives!

If you have any questions or suggestions you can reach us at [email protected].

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