. They are truly...
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September 29th, 2009
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We all have our own way of petting our felines. There’s the head patter who would prefer the cat to go someplace else; the back cracker who runs his hand down her spine with a steel grip; the knit picker who plucks her fur like she’s a chicken; and the frustrated masseuse who tries to work out her kinks. Cats, also, have different preferences for how they’re petted and it’s getting in tune with these that will keep her coming back for more.
In general, the best approach is a very gentle one at first. Let your cat get used to scratching her chin softly, then try the back of her neck and behind her ears. Eventually, try long strokes down her back. Avoid petting the fur against the grain and watch out for the stomach which has a sensitive spot called the “farfel.” Petting can be enjoyable for both cat and owner but if she isn’t digging it, try again later. Kelly is a dog columnist and pet writer. She lives in the Boston-area with her three pit bulls and one neurotic cat. |
Anyone else ever heard of this tummy site called “farfel”? I’ve known it for years a a Jewish noodle, but no dictionaries of mine identify it as having anything to do with a cat’s tummy!
One of my Siamese kittens adores having her fur rubbed backwards. So there!
Sarah, my cats both love having their fur on their backs rubbed the wrong way, even combed backwards too, it really helps to get loose fur out when grooming them. And Toe, my big baby boy loves belly rubs, to the point where you tell him “roll over belly rub” and he flops on his back, legs up in the air. So much for dignified cat behavior *laugh*.
My kitty loves when I run my hand up her back with the fur going in the opposite direction. She just stops still and eventually collapeses in a heap and rolls on her back. Why is this bad for her. I do it very gently.
I disagree with one thing – starting out with the chin. I’ve had better luck with a new cat starting on the back of the head or under the ears. I totally agree with the rest of the article for new cats, but have to laugh when I think about my cats. None of the article’s locations match theirs. The magic spot on all of them is along the cheeks, and then under the chin, the butt spot, a good firm scratch on the tops of their heads and backs of their necks, etc. They all like their fur rubbed the wrong way, and two of them like chest and belly rubs. Under the ears is great, but not so much behind them.
And then there’s the third eye, which usually makes them zone.
I’ve never heard of the farfel, but can sure tell you where it’s located. It’s the spot that makes the cat sit up and bite you, hopefully in play.
non of my many many cats over the years have disliked any kind of petting, although they did have favorites. One calico i had would push her head under my hand and walk forward until my hand was just in front of her tail, then i was supposed to pat her firmly until she was ready for me to stop. another cat i had loved to have her belly between my hands and have me massage her belly when she was pregnant. when her babies were born they liked the areas where they were rubbed before rubbed,(such as a nose or the front paw, etc.)
All of my cats have learned to be stroked and brushed the “wrong” direction. In short order they have learned to enjoy it and that makes it easier for me or their vet and her assistants to handle and examine them. My experience has been that as long as the cat does not have an injury any stroking is well received.
Farfel? A Google search turned up the noodle and the brown dog hand puppet named Farfel who helped sell Nestle’s “chaaawklet”.
Please tell me exactly where this “farfel” area is on a cat’s stomach and what exactly it is.
I have never heard of this and I can’t find out more about it on the internet.
Many thanks,
Wendy and “Plumsted” cat
I have several cats, and each has a favorite type of attention. One wants a belly rub, another sits facing me so I can run both hands from his nose down his sides. He’s doing this as I try to type. The funninest is the one who runs up and presents her tail so I will rub her from head to tail. My 16 lb Bengal, who thinks he is still a kitten, is continuously bugging the other cats to wash his face, and comes running when I get a baby wipe out..
My cat, Mrs. Beasley, loves when I brush her hair on her back the wrong way. I have never seen a cat that would like that, and most would let you know that. I think her back itches and she really likes it. My other cat won’t allow such and only tolerates regular brushing. Strange behavior.
The cheeks ! good lord the cheeks ! Don’t forget to gently stroke the cheeks.
All of my guys come back for more when I gently encircle the base of the tail between my thumb and index finger, and then gently stroke to the tip of the tail.
No wonder the cat is neurotic, living with three bull
terriers!
OMG, this is all wonderful info! Thanks!
I think we have proven that cats often DO like their fur rubbed backwards. (Note, there’s nothing bad about it at all.)
Margrit – you hit it on the head!
Actually, my cat is very sedate and is friends with one of my dogs.
A farfel is a flap of skin on its lower belly that is very sensitive. But I like the dog puppet, too!