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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. |