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Why it's important to move slowly with petting

  • Reduces Stress

    Rushing the process of petting and not being patient can lead to stress or fear for your cat, potentially causing them to associate petting with negative experiences

  • Builds Trust

    Patience with your cat's comfort level with petting, and not rushing them, fosters trust and a sense of safety for your cat

  • Respects Individuality

    Cats have varying levels of comfort with petting, and being patient respects their unique preferences, supporting a more positive and trusting relationship between you and your cat

"Getting Comfortable With Petting"

Why cats bite, scratch or even growl when you pet them

• They are uncomfortable with petting. Some cats are simply uncomfortable with petting due to their individual personalities or past experiences, and they may bite, scratch or growl as a way to communicate their discomfort and desire to end the interaction.


• Overstimulation. Cats have a threshold for stimulation, and if you continue to pet them when they've reached their limit, they may bite, scratch or growl as a way to signal that they've had enough.


• Communication. Cats may use biting as a form of communication to express their emotions, such as frustration, fear, or anxiety. It's essential to understand their body language and respond accordingly to prevent being bitten.

How to help your cat feel better about petting

• Do not force your cat to interact. Moving at your cat’s speed and allowing them to determine when it’s time for petting is the first step in winning over your cat. Even though 1 or 2 minutes of petting may not seem like a lot to us, this amount could be very overwhelming for your cat.


• Pair petting and interaction with things your cat loves. Whenever your cat interacts with you, even if that means smelling your hand briefly or allowing one stroke of their fur, give your cat a reward.


• Gradually increase the reward criteria. As your cat gets more comfortable, you can increase the criteria for a reward. For example, if your cat consistently lets you stroke them with one finger for 3 seconds, you may want to increase the reward criteria and only provide a reward once your cat has allowed you to stroke their fur for 8 seconds.


• Be patient. Changes won't happen overnight, but if you stay patient and work at your cat's speed you'll see their comfort levels improve.