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.

[meowmeow]

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

Same with mine. Girl cat tries to "jump start" any exposed hand at night either by jamming her head under it or gently taking a finger in her teeth and lifting it. Boy cat demands what has become known at our house as "The Forever Pet" because until you just walk away, it will go on...and on...and on...

[anton]

“Indoor cats have an average life span of 12 - 20 years when compared to 1 - 5 years for a cat kept outdoors.”

http://www.petco.com/Content/ArticleList/Article/13/2/181/Reasons-to-Keep-Your-Cat-Indoors.aspx

That was all I needed to know.

[CatherineofAragon]

"Neutered is good. As for keeping him on your property, .best way is still to bring him inside. Beyond that...some sort of bed/shelter that he knows is his, maybe. Fellow I knew used a soft, insulated tooolbag."

Ditto to everything here.

[To Hell With Poverty]

Oh my, I’m afraid Whiskers may have sprayed all over your garage. Especially if he is already a year old or more and JUST got fixed. Save your home and DO NOT let him inside until enough garage-only time has passed that you can be sure he has lost the urge. Look for little splotchy urine spots on the walls and household items at cat butt height. If a cat is not neutered young it can be an impossible habit to break. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. On the up side, the neutering will certainly incline him to be more of a homebody and he will most likely just stick around the yard from now on. Don’t stress yourself, you are doing good, kind things for him to the extent of your ability. That’s more than anyone else has done for him. :)

We have a real sweet stray who visits us, who is a big ol’ intact tomcat. He will never be able to join the family like two (previously spayed and neutered) others have because of this one very, very, VERY important detail!!!

[diamond6]

I don’t know how, but I locked my cat in the garage last night and somehow he was able to get the automatic garage door to open.

Scratching head!!!

[Slings and Arrows]

http://metro.co.uk/2013/10/19/video-cat-and-dog-in-daring-escape-from-kitchen-4152302/

[diamond6]

I am debating on whether or not to give my cat away. I am allergic so he has to stay outside. I keep him in the garage at night, however, we walks across the street during the daytime so laxidazical it concerns me. There have already been three cat deaths in our neighborhood recently and I’m concerned that mine may be next.

I just don’t know if I can give him up. But if I was able to, is there anyone in the Fresno area that would consider adopting him from me? He is about a year old, a beautiful tabby. I had him fixed and he has been vaccinated already.

Again I don’t know if I’m ready to let go but if there is someone out there that might want him and give him a loving home, I might consider.

He really is an awesome cat, so friendly. The whole neighborhood loves him.

[Slings and Arrows]

I am debating on whether or not to give my cat away. I am allergic so he has to stay outside. I keep him in the garage at night, however, we walks across the street during the daytime so laxidazical it concerns me. There have already been three cat deaths in our neighborhood recently and I’m concerned that mine may be next.

I just don’t know if I can give him up. But if I was able to, is there anyone in the Fresno area that would consider adopting him from me? He is about a year old, a beautiful tabby. I had him fixed and he has been vaccinated already.

Again I don’t know if I’m ready to let go but if there is someone out there that might want him and give him a loving home, I might consider.

He really is an awesome cat, so friendly. The whole neighborhood loves him.

Try contacting a no-kill shelter if you can't find him a forever home. Alternatively, try allergy shots for yourself.

[Jet Jaguar]

Claritin worked for my wife. Give it a try.

[boatbums]

What am I supposed to do when they give me numerous head butts, roll around on the floor staring up and pleading with me to pet them??? Mine ASK, no BEG, to be petted, I don't care what some goofy researcher thinks she has discovered!

What I will agree with is that too much petting, they don't like. But most well-behaved moggies will warn you beforehand with a tail twitch or just get up and leave when they have had enough. Even hoomans do that! ;o)

A neat invention:

[Yaelle]

Yeah, our cat “force pets” too, shoving our hands along her body! The article is full of it. Cats love to be petted. However, sometimes they get “enough,” and their tails will shake and they will become conflicted.

[Slings and Arrows]

Genius has struck here.

[patriot08]

Find him another home before the poor thing is hit by a car. Do right by the cat.

[Fawn]

You know that allergies change as you get older. Have you tried Zyrtec? I take it every day for allergies. You are correct, that he will eventually get hit if he crosses the road....hope you can keep him inside.

[diamond6]

It was suggested to me by the lady who runs the Cat House On the Kings to put metal flashing on my fence then when whiskers tries to jump the fence he won’t be able to get his claws into anything. I’m so excited about this!!!

[Slings and Arrows]

Great!

[diamond6]

Until I get this thing erected, please pray for my cat’s safety.

[Slings and Arrows]

Will do.

[diamond6]

Thank you so much!

[diamond6]

I need help from all the cat people on this site.....I was told that to contain my cat in my backyard, I would have to install metal flashing in the top of my fence, that way the cat can’t get a grip. My concern is my fence is six feet tall, can’t cat jump over seven feet?

Slings can you ping all your cat friends with my question? Thank you.