10/09/2026
“In order to love someone correctly, you must first learn their language” 🐾🤍
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CC5xS1G8x/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Most of us greet a cat the way we would greet a dog. Reach down, pet the head, maybe scoop them up. Many cats would much rather we did it their way.
Start by letting the cat come to you. Sit down, stay calm and wait. Chasing a cat, or reaching over it from above, can feel overwhelming, even to a friendly one.
When the cat comes closer, hold out a finger at about nose height. A sniff is a cat's way of saying hello, much like cats touch noses with each other.
Try a slow blink, then look away. To many cats, a long, direct stare can feel like a challenge. A soft, slow blink is often read as friendly and relaxed, and some cats will blink back.
If the cat seems interested, start with the cheeks and chin. Most cats enjoy a gentle scratch there, and many prefer that you skip the belly and the base of the tail until they know you well.
Pause every few strokes. If the cat pushes its head back into your hand, it is asking for more. If it walks away, it is finished, and that is perfectly fine.
And watch for stop signals. A lashing or twitching tail, flattened ears, a sudden turn of the head or skin rippling along the back usually mean the cat has had enough.
Every cat is an individual. Some are cuddly right away, and others take weeks to warm up. Patience goes a long way.
Sit down and let the next cat you meet come to you.
Offer a finger, not a whole hand.
Try a slow blink and see what happens.
How does your cat say hello?
