Want to show your cat affection? Think twice before stroking it [truncated]

Daily Mail [UK] ^ | 7 October 2013 | Victoria Woollaston

[Slings and Arrows]

If you really love your cat, don’t stroke it.

Researchers say that the pets become stressed if they’re constantly petted.

Animal behaviour experts discovered that cats released hormones linked to anxiety when they were handled by humans.

In fact, the tests appeared to show that no cats enjoyed being stroked.

Some were prepared to tolerate it – but they were the individuals that showed the highest levels of distress.

The researchers concluded that genuine cat lovers should avoid constantly petting their feline friends to spare their feelings.

-snip-

The research also dispelled the popular belief that cats are solitary creatures who struggle to live happily together in groups.

[PeteB570]

Hm, I got two cats - and four dogs.

One cat gets pissed if you touch it. The other one loves to have it’s head and ears rubbed.

[chris37]

What a pile of horse sh!t.

[EQAndyBuzz]

“Mine seeks out my hand and pets himself with it. Sometimes I have to leave the room to get away from him. “

You leave him alone with the hand?

[RegulatorCountry]

Ha, looks just like my Sue, a Walker Hound I adopted. She’s a real sweetie-pie, very vocal though.

[RckyRaCoCo]

[Slings and Arrows]

In case it wasn’t clear, I side with the “bullsh*t” faction.

[Slings and Arrows]

Get the brooms.

[central_va]

Bottom line: Don’t stoke your pussy.

[central_va]

Bottom line: Don’t stroke your pussy.

[Slings and Arrows]

Are you trying to rub her belly?

[Gandalf_The_Gray]

This article is such BS.

Agree!

I've had cats around since I was 12, 70th birthday too soon, methinks they are missreading their data.

Regards,
GtG

[Slings and Arrows]

Explains a lot, really.

[kabumpo]

What? My cat has been hanging out at your house? Tell him to come home at once.

[fwdude]

Pretty on target. Especially the “hell yes” region.

[doorgunner69]

Mine seeks out my hand and pets himself with it.

+1 "You don't get out of it that easy" seems to be the message.

[I still care]

So when they crawl in your lap purring when you pet them, and shut their eyes and throw their heads back, it’s some sort of strange deceptive reaction?

Mine used to wait by the door, throw her paws around my neck and hold me when I came home from work.

Now a lot of cats don’t like having their bellies rubbed, would rather have their cheeks or necks stroked. But the rest - garbage.

[windcliff]

ping

[USMCPOP]

That chart is pretty close for a lot of cats and especially for my current two.

[Rodamala]

I love that picture... but it needs to be complete with the doggie graphic that goes with it...

[ZirconEncrustedTweezers]

I have one who does that as well.