INTERPRET YOUR CAT’S SCORE:

My cat scored mostly A’s

You don’t need a quiz to tell you that you’re the proud parent of a total love bug.Your cat is one of those rare specimens that totally defies its aloof, uncuddly wildcat ancestry. Keep doing what you’re doing because it seems to be working.

My cat scored mostly B’s

Your cat likely gets a lot of pleasure out of stroking sessions with you, although they likely have a preferred stroking style that they would like you to adhere to. Sometimes they may also prefer to interact with you in ways that don’t involve any hand-on-fur action. The following are some key subtle signs suggesting your cat isn’t that keen for strokes.

● You offer them your hand and they decide not to reciprocate with the usual cheek rubs.

● They politely turn their head to face away from you.

● They don’t rub you as enthusiastically as usual.

● They go a little bit still or quiet during your stroking session.

● They engage for a short while, then decide it’s time to politely excuse themselves.

To get a better sense of the stroking style your cat prefers, think about this in terms of where, when, how much, and for how long. During interactions with your cat, use the behaviors listed in questions 4 and 5 to help you gather this information.

My cat scored mostly C’s

While this certainly doesn’t mean your cat dislikes being stroked, for him or her to be able to enjoy physical contact, they are likely to need to be provided with complete choice and control over the interaction.The more closely you pay attention to all the subtle signs that they aren’t comfortable (and respond accordingly by pausing what you’re doing) the more your cat will enjoy these sessions. The following simple ‘CAT’ guidelines (something I previously developed for staff at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home) are scientifically demonstrated to increase cats’ comfort and affection towards people, while at the same time reduce aggression and signs of discomfort. While it might mean you end up stroking your cat a little differently to usual when following the guidelines, they should help to ensure both you and your cat enjoy the experience.

‘CAT’ guidelines:

‘C’ for Choice and Control

● Did I let my cat choose whether he or she wanted to be touched?

● Am I allowing my cat control over when the stroking ends?

The best way to achieve the above is to allow your cat to make the first move; gently offer your hand towards your cat and allow them to decide whether to rub against you or not. If they don’t, this is probably because they’re just not in the mood (and that’s OK!). Never restrain your cat or pick them up when stroking them. If your cat does make contact, you can progress to the next stage…

‘A’ for paying Attention

● Am I attending to any of the signs that suggest my cat is feeling comfortable or uncomfortable? (See the lists of behaviours mentioned in the quiz above.)

If stroking the cat, briefly pause every 3 — 5 seconds to ‘check in’ with the cat. When you stop stroking them, do they rub against you to ask for more? If not, they may be ready for a break.

‘T’ for Touch

● Am I focusing on the areas my cat prefers being touched? (The base of the ear, chin, and cheeks are usually preferred by most friendly cats. If touching other areas, pay close attention to the cat’s reaction to ensure they are enjoying this.)

My cat scored mostly D’s and E’s

Your cat is certainly displaying all the classic signs of wanting to steer clear of any of that stroking business.Why this is the case may vary with each cat, but what’s really important is to respect that this is the cat’s choice and not to push things. Remember that as humans, we are a sociable and tactile (or touchy-feely) species.This is in stark contrast to the domestic cat’s close relatives which basically try to avoid social gatherings at all costs.

If you want to interact with and touch your cat, you should certainly implement the ‘CAT’ guidelines. The chances are you won’t progress much further than receiving the briefest of sniffs or cheek rubs from your cat, but it may simply be better (and kinder) for both your sakes to accept that your cat simply doesn’t like being stroked much and that this is probably just part of their character.

Your cat may also enjoy engaging in a range of hands-off activities.These could include:

● Interactive play using a fishing rod pole or a feathered wand.This is a great way to keep your cat positively entertained and also allows them to let off some of their predatory steam (at a safe distance from your hands and feet!).

● Simply letting your cat hang out near to you or on your lap (without touching them). Many cats will just enjoy being close to people without needing physical contact.

● Some basic training, such as teaching your cat to come to you when called, a ‘sit’ or ‘paw’. This works well for confident, food-motivated cats.