Do cats prefer certain parts of their body being stroked?

Question

Or is it just mine? My cat won't really tolerate any more than a few strokes of his body but he's in ecstasy when I stroke and kiss his head and ears...

Answer 1

some cats are sensitive on there underbelly. I also had one who did like anything but his head and ears pet, so I just agreed to his wishes and told others as well when they wanted to pet him.  

Answer 2

Cats like it behind their ears, near the base of their tail, and sometimes on top of their head.

Your cats sounds a lot like mine. My cat only likes it when I stroke him a couple of times then he doesn't like it anymore.

Answer 3

nope its not just you! my moggy is the same. she loves being rubbed on the head and face but if you touch her lower belly or back she will bite and scratch me..... its actually quite common, it could be because of a few things.

your cat may just have a low petting tolerance. meaning it will only allow you to stroke until it feels its had enough...

it could have had pain in that place once and still associates being touched there with that pain.

it could have hypersensitive skin and therefore can't tolerate too much petting!

the ways to get round this is to watch for its body language and when it gives the signals that its had enough, stop and get up and walk away! do this before it actually bites you otherwise it might associate its attacks with you leaving him alone! not good...... look out for a wagging tail, and its ears flattening etc.

goodluck!!!!

ps. my ragdoll is my soppy cat so i have the best of both worlds!!!!

Answer 4

all cats are different. one of mine loves to lay in your lap and be whole body petted all night. the other can take maybe 20 minutes and then she's done, but she loves her ears rubbed.

each cat has their own preferences. it's up to us to find them!

Answer 5

no it is not just your cat all cats are like being stroked on the head and ears but if you do that to much the cat will tend to scratch and get really agressive in it behaver.all cats are like this the female cats are more likely to scratch then the males.

Answer 6

Age old problem.. call a dog it comes running, call a cat it says "leave your number, I'll get back to you". Cats are persnickety critters. If you wanted to rub his ears, he'd be all into body rubs.  

Mine is the same way, he did love the back run a ton when he was a baby but now that he is a big grown tom cat of (almost) 5 months, he has taken control of his petting. To whit, he puts his head in my hand and if I ignore him, he puts his butt in my face until I get my priority's correct. :)

Answer 7

It depends on how the cats personality my cats don't like it when i rub their belly they attack my hand, lol, but they like being stroked on the back or head if they're in a crazy hyper mood then they attack me whenever i stroke them. lol

x

Answer 8

Yes every cat is different when it comes to stroking.  my cat hates it when you rub her belly, she cant even tolerate one stroke.  but when i scratch her neck, its like she goes into la la land.  But it all depends on your cat where they like to be strokes.  

Answer 9

Generally, cats loved to be stroked in places that they can't necessarily get to themselves. Imagine have an itch on your back that you just can't reach. Isn't it ecstasy when someone scratches it for you?!

In my experience, although all cats are different, there are a few places that most of them will love.

1) A nice rub under the chin is usually a big favourite.

2) stroking the cheeks on a cats face, just below the eyes.

3) a nice rub on the top  and back of the head between the ears is always popular.

4) just above the base of the tail is a good one.

5) The tummy. Some cats love this. Some cats hate this. This is my kittens favourite place to be rubbed and he goes mad for it. However, whenever I do it he does try to nip me, but only in a friendly way.

Answer 10

My cat prefers to be strokes on her cheeks, top of the head, arround the ears, top of the chest however she will kill my hand away if i touch her lower belly, and will roll away from me [if laying down] if i touch her belly too much. she isnt all that interested in me touching her lower back, though she doesnt bite or scratch me.

Answer 11

Each cat is different.  My cat likes his head rubbed.  He loves it when I stroke him under his neck.  I wonder if he likes it because he can't l**k under his own neck.  He loves it so much, that when I wake up in the morning and sit on the toilet, he comes over and paws my neck.  LOL

Answer 12

It depends on the cat, some like being petted, under the chin some behind their ears, some their stomachs(though few, so I wouldn't attempt this one) it doesn't really matter.

Answer 13

all cats are different. some like being pet on their head and necks and others like being pet on their stomachs. i know my cats love being pet on their stomachs, heads, and necks. when i first got them they didnt like anybody, nobody  could pet them without having to get stiches on their hands and arms

Answer 14

A cat loves being petted on its stomach, by a person it trusts enough.

My cat would stretch out on her back with her stomach exposed, showing she wanted her tummy rubbed, but she would not let anybody else rub her tummy.

Anybody else tried, she would walk away, or bite their fingers; not hard, but enough for them to know to stop.

A good stroking is around the head and what you can do is start at the head, and move your hand down the neck, a little bit further each time, until it lets you stroke all the way from its head to its tail.  They love that too.

He will only let you touch his stomach when he has grown to trust you.