Cats are known for being independent and aloof, yet they often love being petted by their owners. Petting a cat can stimulate the release of feel-good hormones, provide comfort, and help strengthen the bond between cat and human. But why exactly do cats enjoy this tactile interaction so much? There are several key reasons.
Petting Releases Oxytocin
When a cat is petted, it causes their brains to produce oxytocin – a hormone that promotes bonding, relaxation, and trust. Oxytocin is sometimes called the “love hormone” or “cuddle chemical” because it enhances social connections and soothes stress. It’s the same hormone that humans release when bonding with loved ones or enjoying a relaxing massage.
For cats, the oxytocin release induced by petting can lower blood pressure, reduce anxiety, and create positive associations with their human companion. Petting a cat jogs its limbic system – the part of the brain involved in emotions, bonding, pleasure, and reward. And the more oxytocin released, the more cats tend to seek out being petted by their trusted humans.
Petting Feels Good on a Cat’s Skin
Cats have more nerve endings per square inch of skin compared to humans. This makes their sense of touch very sensitive. When you pet a cat using long strokes that go with the direction of their fur, it activates nerve endings under their skin that connect to feel-good regions of the brain. So petting literally feels pleasurable to cats in a physical sense.
Cats particularly like being petted around the head, chin, under the jaw, and at the base of their tails. These regions have high concentrations of nerve endings compared to other parts of their bodies. Petting these zones brings sensations of comfort and satisfaction to cats.
Petting is a Form of Massage for Cats
Petting a cat can also serve as a form of massage for them. Using long, rhythmic strokes along a cat’s back imitates the tongue grooming they’d receive from mother cats in kittenhood. This massage-like stimulation releases endorphins – hormones that serve as natural painkillers and mood enhancers.
Many cats find petting satisfying because it hits areas along their spines and shoulders that they can’t reach themselves to scratch or groom. A good back and neck rub from a human hand gives cats access to satisfying sensations in hard-to-reach places.
Petting Can Be a Calming Ritual
The rhythmic, repetitive motion of petting is soothing and comforting for many cats. It’s a familiar ritual they associate with affection and care from their human companion. Much like rocking a crying baby or listening to relaxing music has a calming effect on people, the hypnotic motion of petting produces tranquility and contentment for cats.
Petting a cat in the same manner each time – such as always starting at the top of their head and stroking down their back – creates a consistent routine they find pacifying. This predictable ritual relaxes the nervous system and signals safety and security to cats.
Petting Strengthens the Human-Cat Bond
From a cat’s perspective, the act of being petted releases pleasurable hormones while also providing caring touch from their human. This strengthens the social bond between cat and human. Cats that regularly receive affectionate petting come to view their owners as a trusted companion and secure attachment figure.
Petting serves as positive reinforcement as well. When a cat solicits petting from their owner through nudging or rubbing and then receives the petting, it rewards that bonding behavior so the cat will seek out more interaction in the future.
Some Cats Dislike Certain Types of Petting
While most cats enjoy being petted, they may dislike certain types of touching from humans. Petting against the direction of their fur growth can feel abrasive, and cats often don’t like their tails or paws handled. Stroking in a scratching/tickling manner may overstimulate them. And petting sensitive areas like the belly may cause them to become overaroused.
Cats communicate through body language whether they want to be petted or not. Signs a cat welcomes petting include purring, kneading paws, rubbing against you, and lifting their chin or head toward your hand. Signs a cat dislikes the petting include swishing tail, rotated ears, skin twitching, and biting or swatting.
Petting Should Respect the Cat’s Wishes
While humans enjoy cuddling with cats, it’s important to be attentive to the cat’s signals and body language. Cats are individuals, and their preferences for where and how long they like to be petted will be unique. Petting should be an interactive exchange – when the cat communicates they’ve had enough, the petting should stop so it remains a positive experience.
In Summary
Most cats enjoy being petted because:
- It releases oxytocin which is soothing and enhances bonding
- It provides pleasurable tactile stimulation for cats
- It serves as a massage that’s difficult for them to do alone
- The rhythmic motion is calming and pacifying
- It strengthens the affectionate bond between cat and human
However, cats have individual preferences, so their signals for preferred type and duration of petting should be respected. When done properly, petting can be a rewarding experience that brings cats and their humans closer together.
| Reason | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Releases oxytocin | Petting causes the brain to release oxytocin which is soothing and promotes bonding/trust |
| Pleasurable tactile sensation | Cats have many nerve endings in the skin so petting feels good |
| Provides massage | Petting hits spots cats can’t easily scratch/groom themselves |
| Calming, repetitive motion | The rhythmic motion of petting is pacifying for cats |
| Reinforces human-cat bond | Petting strengthens feelings of affection/trust between cat and human |
Why Do Some Cats Dislike Being Petted?
While most cats enjoy petting, there are some reasons why a cat may dislike certain types of touching:
- Petting against the fur growth feels abrasive
- Cats often don’t like their tails or paws handled
- Too much scratching or tickling overstimulates them
- Petting sensitive areas like the belly overarouses them
Cats will communicate through body language and behavior if they want to be petted or not. It’s important to respect each cat’s individual preferences.
Best Practices for Petting Your Cat
To ensure petting remains a positive experience for your cat, follow these best practices:
- Watch for your cat’s body language to see if they want petting or not
- Pet in long strokes going with the direction of fur growth
- Focus on areas they enjoy like head, chin, under jaw, around shoulders/neck
- Keep petting rhythmic and repetitive for a calming effect
- Stop petting when they indicate they’ve had enough
- Avoid overstimulating sensitive areas like paws, tail, belly
By paying attention to your cat’s unique preferences and petting them in ways they enjoy, this tactile interaction can become a rewarding bonding ritual for both of you.
The Bottom Line
Petting is pleasurable, soothing, and bonding for most cats. The reasons they enjoy it include:
- Release of oxytocin hormone
- Enjoyable tactile sensation
- Access to a satisfying massage
- Calming, repetitive motion
- Strengthening of cat-human bond
But each cat has individual preferences, so it’s important to respect their signals for when, where and how long they want to be petted. When done properly, petting can be a loving ritual that brings cats and their owners closer together.