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I thought this was a good topic for Cuddly Kitten Day, which is tomorrow.\u00a0 If there’s one thing a cat person truly loves to do it is to cuddle with a kitten or a cat. for some of us, it\u2019s difficult and sometimes impossible to resist running your hand over a cat\u2019s fur. But sometimes a cat doesn\u2019t want to be petted. How do you know this? The cat might roll over and show her claws, slap your hand, ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/catscapades\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/KittenMary-225x300.jpg\")
bite you–either warning bites or serious bites, or she’ll just walk away.<\/p>\n
Then there are cats with preferences as to how they want to be petted. Does she enjoy light petting, rough petting and ruffling, or would she prefer just gentle head scratches?<\/p>\n
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Does the cat want to be picked up and stroked or allowed to walk around you rubbing your hand as she strolls past and butting her head against your hand. Some cats adore the luxury of a full-body massage.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s been my experience that cats certain do have preferences and they will usually let you know them. Some invite tummy rubs. I had a pregnant female once who adored having her bulging tummy rubbed and petted and scratched, until she had the kittens. Then that tummy became off limits.<\/p>\n
Cats will sometimes balk at seeing a hand come at them from above. Ever notice that? If ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/catscapades\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/PattyOliviaCover-209x300.jpg\")
you want to pet a cat you don’t know, be alert to her signals. And try to keep your hands where the cat can see them so she knows what to expect. While some cats adore having their head or chin or tummy scratched, others will avoid allowing hands where they can\u2019t see them.<\/p>\n
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Many cats like being scratched at the base of the tail. Oh, but beware of those paws. It\u2019s a pretty relaxed and trusting cat who will allow her paws to be touched, let alone massaged.<\/p>\n
Then there are cat moods. A cat is not always in the mood to be petted, scratched, or massaged and this ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/catscapades\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/KittenSleepingConstance-e1533903564597-225x300.jpg\")
may depend on who\u2019s doing the petting.<\/p>\n
I read the other day that you should ask a baby if it\u2019s okay to change his diaper\u2014not just dive in and do it. Maybe that concept came about because of cats. You sure don\u2019t want to intrude on the privacy of a cat who prefers not to be touched at that moment or who simply doesn’t expect it.<\/p>\n
As for kittens, we’re in kitten season, which is generally from March through October, except in California where we often have a longer season because of the warmer weather. So if you yearn to celebrate Cuddly Kitten Day today or any day, visit your local animal shelters and help socialize kittens so they’re more likely to find the best homes with the best humans possible and live a good life.<\/p>\n
This is also another good time to advocate for spaying and neutering<\/p>\n
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I thought this was a good topic for Cuddly Kitten Day, which is tomorrow.\u00a0 If there’s one thing a cat person truly loves to do it is to cuddle with a kitten or a cat. for some of us, it\u2019s … Continue reading