Free Republic

Lovingly stroking and snuggling your cat should be a comforting treat. But now pet owners have been warned that cuddling their feline can cause them stress. Research has revealed that more than half of people do not know how to cope with an anxious cat and think that petting them is the answer. Leading cat charity, Cats Protection, asked pet owners what they knew about caring for their moggy but found too many were letting the love of their pets cloud their judgement. Nicky Trevorrow, Cats Protection’s behaviour manager, said: ‘Being held or stroked for too long can be very...

Sniffing a colleague's armpit, booking nap time in a "sleep pod" and sneaking out to rub a cat's tummy at lunchtime have emerged as the latest stress-busters for workaholics...

Researchers at the University of Lincoln say petting aggression is a common problem, with more than 20% of household cats showing it. They are looking for cat owners who have experienced aggressive behaviour from their pets to video their experiences for the study. Theories for aggression include boredom or the need to reassert control. We want to see occasions when it does as well as when it does not happen Professor Daniel Mills Professor Daniel Mills said: "Many owners are bitten or threatened by their cats when they play with them or when they are stroking them. "There are many...