Why a cat won't let you pet it: here's what a pet owner should do in this case

25.09.2024 06:50

Has your furry four-legged friend suddenly stopped letting you pet him?

This is a very bad sign! Especially if the fluffy one previously reacted calmly to affection.

It is possible that the cat feels unwell or experiences pain when someone touches it.

That is why the first step for the owner of a pet that does not allow itself to be petted should be a visit to a veterinary clinic: a specialist will examine the animal and find out whether your four-legged friend has encountered any illness or a change in hormonal levels.

If it turns out that the cat is healthy, then remember whether any incident has happened with your pet recently.

cat
Photo: © Belnovosti

Perhaps the animal was afraid of something or someone. It is possible that you were the source of fear for the purr. Maybe you accidentally scared it or stepped on its tail?

In such a situation, there is only one thing left to do: leave the pet alone and wait for the moment when the animal forgets about the traumatic experience and stops being offended.

Or it may be that you are trying to touch the cat's tail, face or belly, and it doesn't like it. It's better to stroke the animal's back or head.

The cat initially did not allow itself to be petted

Above, we described situations when a pet suddenly stopped letting itself be petted.

What if the animal exhibited this behavior from the beginning?

It is possible that this is explained by the cat's stress: perhaps it has recently appeared in your home and does not yet trust the people living here. Just give the animal time: one day the fluffy one will adapt and become more open to affection.

Or it may be that it is not about adaptation, stress, pain or traumatic experience. It is quite possible that the animal's closed nature is explained by its character. In this case, simply do not violate the pet's personal boundaries.

Kurchev Anton Author: Kurchev Anton Deputy Editor-in-Chief