Do kittens love being kissed?

There are many myths about cats, especially in how they interact with people. Many of these have to do with how suitable they are as pets, especially compared to other pets such as dogs. Perhaps the biggest myth is that dogs are affectionate creatures who express love for their human caretakers, while cats are selfish creatures who see humans only as food distributors. If your cat doesn't have socialization problems, people with cats in the house know that this is not the case.

Cats can be incredibly affectionate and sociable with their human companions. However, how they express their affection will depend on the individual cat. Additionally, feline behavior is constantly being studied by ethologists, so our understanding of how they communicate is still evolving. Many people wonder if cats love kisses and hugs , especially since refusing them may mean they don't have a strong bond. HowMeow.ru strives to show love for cats to help us better understand it.

Do cats really like kisses?

Many guardians wonder if their cats love kisses or if such displays of affection are uncomfortable for the feline.
Unfortunately, many others do not take this into account. Instead, they kiss and cuddle their kittens without regard for their comfort level or tolerance. It is important to remember that each cat is an individual with a unique personality, so it is impossible to establish an exact set of preferences for cats. Despite this, it is important to understand that cat communication is very different from ours. They have different ways of expressing emotions, moods and perceptions, so human methods of communication such as kissing and hugging may not be suitable. In this article we will find out whether cats love to be kissed? We will do this by looking at how cats express love and affection, which will allow us to strengthen our bond with them without creating any unpleasant interactions.

Helminthiasis

Most street cats and domestic kittens, since their bodies are still weak, are infected with helminths. Even a domestic cat can bring helminth eggs from the street after contact with street animals. And kissing a cat is a 100% risk of becoming infected with parasites. Worms have many subspecies and varieties that affect not only the intestines, but also other human organs.

The cat does not always show symptoms of the disease, but many animals experience discomfort, their anus may itch, and they rub it on the floor. Frequent symptoms of parasite infection in cats include vomiting, diarrhea and lethargy of the animal.

If a person brings an animal from the street, it is necessary to give it anti-parasite medications. Also, from time to time, any domestic cat needs to take prophylactic tablets or suspensions against worms.

Do cats love their guardians?

There are many false and unfortunate myths about cats and their ways of expressing emotions. It is still common to hear questions such as “do cats even have feelings” or “do cats love their owners?”

First, we must acknowledge that cats are sensitive and intelligent creatures, capable of experiencing a wide range of emotions throughout their lives. Just like humans, cats' reactions and moods will vary depending on various stimuli in their environment, their experiences, the conditions of their family group, quality of life, their health status and many other factors.

We also need to understand that felines are special creatures with their own way of expressing themselves in relation to their human caretakers. We shouldn't expect a cat to show affection in the same way as dogs, other animals or people. On the other hand, it is also unfair to say that cats don't like their human companions or that they don't have feelings just because they don't act like dogs.

Thanks to their noble and independent nature, cats are able to form bonds of friendship and trust with their caregivers.

Mystical reasons

At different times and among different peoples, the attitude towards our pets was completely different: from fierce hatred to complete adoration. But all religions and beliefs recognized that the cat is a link between our world and the other world. This is where various signs associated with the danger of kissing a pet arose.

It is believed that after kissing a cat on the face, a person stops loving everything around him except the cat. He forgets about past attachments and is ready to do the most reckless things for the sake of his deity. This behavior ultimately leads to complete loneliness.
It is strictly forbidden to kiss cats. Their independent nature cannot come to terms with such an act, and the animal begins to take revenge for the violation of personal space, ruining clothes and shoes, disturbing sleep and organizing other minor, but very annoying troubles. Experiencing constant irritation, a person eventually plunges into deep depression, from which there is often a very sad way out.
Another belief says that when you kiss a cat, you give the animal all your vitality. After such contact, there is no longer any energy left to overcome life’s difficulties and fight illnesses.

So, do cats like to kiss or not?

If you observe the behavior of most domestic cats, it is safe to say that cats do not like kisses at all. Likewise, they will react poorly to attempts to hug them. This will create a feeling of reticence and they will likely want to escape your clutches, despite your good intentions. They may even bite or scratch you to express their displeasure. A similar reaction can be seen when caregivers try to pet them in vulnerable areas such as the belly or paws.

Perhaps a better question would be, do cats understand kissing? The reason cats generally don't like to be kissed or hugged is because they don't understand these human expressions. Moving your face towards them, hugging them with your arms, or other similar close contact is usually used for play or even fighting.

However, some cats can be seen to adapt and learn to accept these expressions of affection as part of the positive bond established with their handlers. In any case, we must emphasize that kissing and hugging are not a show of feline affection. So before you try to kiss or hug your cat, be sure to think about their personality and respect their preferences.

Cats don't have to use their lips to greet each other and express affection. To give your cat the equivalent of a human kiss, your cat will squint her eyes and show a serene expression on her face. This simple and discreet way of "kissing" does not involve physical contact, but says a lot about the bond between them and the affection your cat wants to convey to you in return.

Although licking is more associated with dogs expressing feelings of affection, it is also a common expression that cats use in their repertoire. This behavior is usually most often associated with cats that live alone with their caretakers, i.e. when there is no other cat or animal in the house. Cats groom those they consider family, licking the fur of their children and siblings to keep them clean and demonstrate closeness. When a cat does this to their human companion, it demonstrates that they consider them "one of their own" and trust them.

Something about cat hygiene

Why do cats like to sleep in public?
A cat, in general, is a very clean animal; it cannot be called dirty. She defecates in certain places, “cleans up” after herself, constantly licks herself, and loves to rest in clean places. But most cats have fur, and this is an excellent habitat for many parasites. If you kiss a pet, contact with microorganisms is inevitable.

A domestic cat trained to a litter box will always go to this place. But often she gets her paws dirty in feces, and then spreads her footprints around the apartment. They may also be invisible, but in such an environment much more microbes accumulate. Even the most hygienic owner does not attach much importance to this fact. However, when trying to kiss a cat, people notice a large number of microorganisms on the skin.

Among other things, the “mustachioed-striped” ones have a completely different immunity. They are more resistant to pathogenic microbes than humans. The cat may not get sick itself, but it will be a carrier of viruses, bacteria, and fungi that are dangerous to human health. They are transmitted by kissing an animal. Many infections cannot be noticed and do not cause symptoms in the carrier.

Based on this, we can draw an unambiguous conclusion: cat petting is not hygienic, even if the pet looks clean and well-groomed. Kissing a cat is dangerous.

How do cats show their love?

As we explained, cats express themselves differently than humans. A cat's primary way of communicating is through body language, be it with people, cats, or many other elements of the environment. For example, the position of their tail says a lot about their mood and the emotions they may want to express. It can also be used to predict their reaction.

If your cat approaches you with her tail held high and the tip slightly curled, she is adopting a friendly pose, which means she feels happy in your company and will be safe in your home. On the other hand, a grumpy cat usually displays the famous bristly tail that shoots outward. This is common in many cat illustrations, where the tail flaps upward and the hair stands on end. In such cases, it is best to respect their space and let them calm down before taking any action. However, if your cat regularly gets scared, angry, or appears aggressive for no reason, don't hesitate to take her to the vet to determine if there is an underlying health problem.

Perhaps less obvious than some of the overt signs of affection is the cat's ability to knead its handlers. Young kittens knead their mother's nipples to stimulate milk production for feeding. This is an instinctive behavior that is part of the special bond kittens have with their mothers. Cats continue this habit into adulthood because it brings them well-being and pleasure. This reminds them of the comfort and protection their mothers provide. If they knead you, it's because they feel safe and comfortable too.

Source

What do kisses and hugs mean to a cat from its owner?

Purring creatures have long become an integral part of the family for many people. Cute suckers can quickly win your heart. Sometimes, of course, it seems that the animal is acting in its own selfish interests because it is hungry or smells the smell of delicious food.

A cat can pity anyone. Various techniques are used. The pet will try until it achieves what it wants. And yet, many owners of purrs are convinced that they sincerely love them. This statement is not unfounded, because each animal has its own character and behavior that is different from others.

One cat may sleep in the closet after a meal, another will climb into a person’s arms to be petted. Many owners already know how their cats express their love. This is especially noticeable when several pets live in one house.

Why cats are more reserved in expressing their love than dogs

It has been proven that an adult cat has an intelligence level equal to that of a forty-year-old person. You can often suspect your pet of hatching some kind of cunning plan or wanting to take revenge for something in a sophisticated way.

In dogs, the level of intelligence development is comparable to that of a five-year-old child. These animals express their tender feelings more sincerely and violently and become very attached to their person.

Cats, on the contrary, become attached to their habitat, but this does not mean that they do not have any feelings for the people who care about them. You just need to know how to understand that a cat loves its owner. This is expressed in different ways.

All purrs have different characters, in principle, just like people. It is also believed that it is the cat who chooses its person. Through these animals, loved ones who have passed away try to communicate with us. But this is all on the verge of the supernatural. But you can understand how cats show their love for their owner after just a few weeks of living together.

Those animals that were saved by humans from the street from hunger, illness, dogs, and ill-wishers are considered especially loyal. The animal understands everything and feels sympathy, does not forget goodness. If, accordingly, he treats the pet poorly, constantly scolds or bathes him, he can do all sorts of dirty tricks. The most common of them are toileting on the bed or in shoes, fights with other pets.

The fact that a cat claws upholstered furniture does not mean that it is doing harm. The animal simply needs to “scratch” its claws, and if there is no specially equipped scratching post, the way out of the situation is found in a similar way.

Precautionary measures

According to many avid cat lovers, all of the above reasons apply to street cats. Why can’t you kiss domestic cats, those that don’t go outside the apartment? The arguments are the same. Of course, for an absolutely domestic pet, the chance of contracting any disease is not that great, but it is there. We ourselves bring many fungi and bacteria home on our outdoor shoes and clothes. This means that everything said above remains relevant.

If not kissing a pet is beyond your strength, then try to at least minimize all risks:

give your pussy all the necessary vaccinations;
treat the fur with anti-flea drugs even if you are sure that there are no “guests”;
never feed your animal raw fish or meat;
Clean the cat litter box as often and diligently as possible;
Give yourself and your pet regular preventive maintenance against worms;
Get regular check-ups with your veterinarian.

Character traits

Joint vacation. While watching TV, knitting, embroidering, or working at the computer, the pet will be next to its beloved owner. Not every person in the family deserves such attention.
Prolonged eye contact. A cat will not look into the eyes of an unpleasant person for a long time. If he blinks slowly during contact, you can rest assured that your pet loves you.
The cat meets you and follows you everywhere (not only when hungry). Not only a dog can meet its owner from work. If your cat happily runs towards you with her tail in the air, she loves and misses you. The animal may also walk or sit next to you.
“Butting” and light biting. Such games are a manifestation of cat love not only for people, but also for other cats and dogs.
Offended. Signs of a cat's love for their owners are not always positive. Don’t be surprised if, after a long trip, you find torn wallpaper, broken pots, urine in your shoes or on the bed. The cat missed the person or experienced stress (moving, visiting the veterinarian, unfamiliar people).
Jealous. The cat interferes with working on the computer or reading a book, lies on top and rubs against its beloved owner. The animal lacks communication, put things aside and play with it.
Co-sleeping. Many cats love to sleep at the feet or chest of a loved one. However, if he likes to spend time alone, don't force it.

05.05.2019

“Do you know what is the most wonderful thing about our animals? This is their ability to put up with our most strange and unacceptable behavior among their relatives. Animals watch their owners and gradually learn to understand their actions. For the sake of your own peace of mind and for the sake of showing affection to a person you trust.” (Wilma Tigelaar, veterinarian and animal psychologist)

We live in a stressful world, filled with daily bad news on TV, problems in the family and hassle at work, and the ill will of others. We are increasingly withdrawn into ourselves and are ready to fight back at any moment.

The most common signs that a cat loves its owner

Once you fall in love with these cute animals, you just can’t imagine how to live without them. If an animal and a person have the same personalities, both enjoy the idyll in the house. Signs that a cat loves its owner are different. More often, a pet's affection is expressed in loud chirping. Moreover, such a manifestation of love from cats to the owner can be a little annoying.

The chattering noise prevents you from falling asleep or wakes you up early in the morning. Purrs quickly develop a feeding routine. If you feed the animal every weekday before leaving for work, then on the weekend it will already be waiting for a treat early in the morning and will not let you sleep. You need to close the door to the bedroom, which is not always convenient or possible.

If we describe in more detail how a cat shows its love for its owner, it is worth mentioning first of all that these animals love to rub against their legs, which sometimes makes it difficult to even walk. The feeling that the animal is not allowing passage.

In some cats, the manifestation of love for the owner is expressed in the desire to constantly be held. Some purring individuals like to rub themselves on a man's face, others are ready to lick him like a dog.

There are other habits of cats that speak of love for their owner. Some may find it strange that an animal sucks dirty clothes or licks under the arms. Many purrs are attracted to the smell of a loved one's sweat. Some cats express signs of love for their owner through a “dance,” which is more like marking time. There are special glands on the pads of the feet. In this way, the animal marks its territory and its person.

The most common signs of how cats show love for their owner include their desire to constantly be near him. Pets especially like to sleep next to, on the head or chest of their person. Some signs of a cat's love for its owner can be observed in the form of licking. In this way, the animal shows concern, tries to calm the person down, and gets some sleep.

Less common signs that a cat loves its owner include hand sucking. The pet's behavior resembles that of breastfeeding. The animal literally sucks its fingers, and does so carefully, without biting. But cats rarely show love for their owner in this way, since not all kittens are weaned early and deprived of maternal care. In this case, the cat’s unrealized love is expressed towards its owners.

Finally, it is worth noting that, as a rule, cats show love for their mistress, owner, and children in different ways. Males like women more, females prefer men. In this case, sympathy arises according to gender differences. Also, an animal can trust one person, but harbor a grudge against another.

How to understand that the cat loves the owner in this case? It's simple - he fawns on one, and may bite another. Purrs treat small children with distrust. If parents do not teach that you cannot offend an animal, then subsequently there will be no friendship with it.

Now you know how to understand that a cat loves its owner. Take a closer look at your pet, try to understand him, and you yourself will feel how pleasant it is when an animal is attached and tries to express its feelings, even if not very skillfully.

Cat Kiss: Are you really kissed by your cats and pussies?

Cat owners are well acquainted with such characteristics of their four-legged charges as head-butting on the owner’s arms and legs, rubbing, touching with their paws, and light biting. Many people regard this as actual kissing, so why don’t they kiss the pussy in return?

In fact, such a manifestation of emotions has nothing to do with kissing. If a cat rubs against furniture, objects, bags, clothes, or the owner’s hands, then in no case does it express its submission as some people think and does not kiss. She marks the territory in this way, saying: “This is all mine, and the person is also mine, I allow him to be on my territory.” When a cat rubs, it spreads its scent throughout its habitat and divides those present into friends and foes.

Cats often lick. But this does not mean that they are kissing: the owner probably found the pussy tasty, because the aroma from the food remained on his hand or cheek. The same thing happens if a pet smells a new, unfamiliar scent - for example, the owner bought himself a new perfume. They will definitely come and rub and “tag” you. A cat can also lick a person if he doesn’t seem clean enough to her. The roots of this behavior lie in the instinctive desire of the mother cat to protect her brood from danger and rid it of foreign odors.

What does the cat say?

Important! In the same way, the cat examines pieces of furniture, sniffing them and tasting them with its teeth. However, no one thinks that she is kissing, for example, the sofa. Meanwhile, she studies a person in the same way. This is nothing more than a cognitive process, testing the teeth, studying properties. It has nothing to do with a kiss. Sometimes, by biting, a cat is forced, on the contrary, to stop the flow of affection from the owner. If he doesn’t understand, the cat scratches, bites and hisses. Some attribute this to an aggressive character, although in fact it is not the cat who is the aggressor, but she sees the owner as such.

All this does not mean that cats cannot kiss. They know how and practice. But they do this not through tactile contact, but at a distance. They squint their eyes, look at the owner, purring, sometimes turning on their back and sticking out their belly, demonstrating a high degree of trust in the person. Therefore, if you really want to please a cat (not from a human point of view, but from the point of view of the cat and its preferences), then the best kiss is to look at it gently, then slowly look away.

How cats show their love

Top 18 manifestations of love

There are signs of a cat's love for its owner, which can be seen in the animal's behavior. The pet treats the person well, even if it seems that he is constantly doing dirty tricks: he tears up the wallpaper, marks your shoes and the bed. This behavior may indicate resentment or lack of attention on the part of the owner. For some pets, a full plate and a clean tray are not enough; they also need companionship and your love.

However, the character of the animal must be taken into account. Some cats do not like affection and communication, do not go to hands, do not sleep with people. The person they adopt may occasionally pet and hold the pet. In this case, the main sign of love will be eye contact. Therefore, do not require all of the items listed below from the animal. The top 18 manifestations of cat love are collectively created based on the observations of scientists and pet owners.

We suggest you read: Causes of enteritis in cats and methods of treatment

"Milk move". Pay attention to small kittens that knead their mother while feeding. Such movements improve milk production. If the pet gently tramples them like dough before lying on his lap, he loves and trusts the owner as his own mother cat.
Sucking clothes, licking hair. Some cats like to bury themselves in hair or lie on their chest, sucking on their owner's jacket. Perhaps he was separated from his mother early or she abandoned the kitten. Therefore, the pet asks from you for love and attention.
Shows and allows you to stroke your belly. If the pet trusts its owner, it can sleep on its back, roll from side to side during play, and expose its tummy. Do not ignore such impulses and stroke them, at this moment cats express love.

Prevention measures

In order not to “catch” dangerous zooanthropotic diseases from your own cat, it is enough to follow simple preventive measures:

Your pet should be regularly dewormed, treated for external parasites, and vaccinated against all known viral infections, including rabies.
Closely monitor the health of the animal; at the first signs of illness or inappropriate behavior, immediately contact a veterinary clinic.
Never touch newborn kittens or the female if she is behaving aggressively. Keep children away from them.
Do not separate fighting cats; you should not approach them at all - at this moment a person can be seriously injured.
Never tease a cat, play with your bare hands, or throw your pet out of balance.
You should not touch animals when they sleep, eat, or wash themselves.
You should never kiss cats - neither domestic pets, nor, especially, strangers or street ones.

In addition, it is necessary to observe the rules of personal hygiene and clean and disinfect the cat's litter box every day, wash water and food bowls.

Wet cleaning of the house, if a pet lives in it, should also be carried out every day, and regular general cleaning - with the use of disinfectants and the use of a steam generator.

Brings you gifts

Probably pet owners' least favorite item is this kind gift from their furry friends. Cats often show their affection by leaving gifts for their beloved owners. Cats are hunters by nature, so when your cat brings you a catch, she's actually offering you a treat. Yes, you don't want to even touch this "gift" with your bare hands, but keep in mind that the cat is acting with the best intentions and this behavior really is a sign that she cares about you.

The way cats show their affection can be a little confusing for their human companions, but if you understand what their behavior means, you can learn to appreciate it. You love your cat, and it's nice to know that she loves you too. So knowing when and how your cat shows affection will ensure open communication for both of you. After all, there is nothing better than a declaration of love!

A process of domestication that began thousands of years ago

According to various estimates, there are about 600 million cats living on Earth today. Of these, more than 500 are completely domestic breeds that either live with people or end up on the street. All these representatives of the same family were once domesticated, right? Not really. If a person sought to domesticate a wolf or a jackal on purpose, and the type of dog itself can be called selection, then cats became attached to humans deliberately. They chose this way of life because catching, for example, mice in the territory adjacent to a settled village, was a simpler matter than full-fledged hunting. And the rodents themselves never lagged behind people, eating up their waste.

The domestication of cats occurred about 10 thousand years ago and began with the Nubian breed. The process took a long time, but over time, these “tamed” hunters began to follow the person much more often. The domestic cat today still remains close to its wild relatives. It would be a mistake to assume that it is completely tamed. It should also be noted that in an extreme situation such animals can even attack a person, especially if this is required for rescue or feeding. The way a cat perceives people is superimposed on its previous life. A person is seen as a source of more accessible food or a leader with whom the animal shares territory, temporarily, of course.

The benefits of communicating with cats

Scientists have proven that the benefits of communicating with furry pets are undeniable: even the very presence of a cat has a beneficial effect on the owner’s psyche, especially tactile contact when he picks it up and strokes it. In addition to purely moral satisfaction, communication with a pet improves well-being due to:

activation of blood flow;
warming the body, which is especially important during inflammatory processes and radiculitis;
normalization of blood pressure and heart rate through activation of neurons from contact with cat fur.

faster and more productive socialization of children with Down syndrome - constant contact with a cat makes it easier to get into contact with society;
increasing stress resistance;
quick relaxation after a busy day for all people, this is especially important for those whose work involves stress;
getting rid of insomnia;
reduction of symptoms of “chronic fatigue syndrome”, rapid fatigue disappears.

Thus, the benefits of tactile communication with your pet are undeniable. However, it should be remembered that it is impossible to force a cat to sit with its owner and treat him. The cat will leave if at the moment he did not plan to sit with the owner and purr. There will be no benefit from this, even if you forcibly hold the animal on your knees. It is better to wait until the cat is ready to do this.

Positive and negative effects of cats on human health

In a word, you can and should kiss cats, but at a certain distance. This is optimal contact for both four-legged animals and humans. The cat will feel that the owner loves her and respects her personal space, and the person does not need to be afraid of contracting unpleasant microorganisms or infections.

Attention! A cat and a person belong to different species, which means they have different languages and preferences, and you should not try to force animals to love you by forcibly hugging and kissing them.

You can watch a video on the dangers of kissing cats here:

Common diseases

Here are some of the most common diseases that can pass from cats to humans. Agree, this is a pretty good reason why you shouldn’t kiss cats.

Toxoplasmosis. This disease affects the liver, spleen, eyes, nervous system, heart and other organs. It is especially dangerous for girls “in an interesting position.” Toxoplasmosis can cause irreversible intrauterine damage to the fetus and affect its development.
"Scratchies." This disease is quite common, although it is not very common to talk about it. The scratched areas can become very inflamed. A rash may appear, an allergic reaction, intoxication, and inflammation of the lymph nodes may occur.
Worms. The disease is caused by parasites that live in the bodies of cats and humans. It's very easy to get infected. Don’t think that if your pet doesn’t go outside, then it’s “clean.” If a cat eats raw meat or fish, then it definitely has worms.
Rabies. A fairly well-known disease that can be fatal. It is transmitted by bites along with the saliva of a sick animal. Of course, domestic pussies rarely go wild, but it still happens.
Plague. This is a very dangerous disease. It is generally accepted that it is carried by rats, but cats can also be sources of infection. In humans, the plague causes severe fever, sepsis and attacks the lungs.
Felinosis. It manifests itself in humans in the form of a rash, pustular inflammation, fever and other unpleasant symptoms. It is transmitted mainly from cats through mucous membranes and saliva.
Lichen. A very unpleasant and common disease. Fungal infection causes hair loss, severe itching, sores and redness. It takes quite a long time to heal.

Felinosis

Felinosis is popularly called “cat scratch disease.” The lymphatic system becomes the target of infection.

Microorganisms get there through damaged tissue when a cat scratches a person, but the infection is not only on the claws, but also in the animal’s saliva.

Felinosis is especially dangerous at a young age and for people with reduced immunity. The incubation period is very variable and lasts from three to forty days - the period when the infection is asymptomatic in the body. The disease can affect not only the lymph nodes, but also cause ulcerative conjunctivitis, pathologies of the nervous system and enlarged organs.

The main signs of an animal infection:

exhaustion for no apparent reason (the animal eats greedily, but does not gain weight);
itching in the anal area (the pet “rides” backwards on the floor);
digestive disorders;
lethargy of the pet.

Previously, children, walking on the street, constantly played with kittens and adult cats. They used cardboard boxes to make housing for pets, and this always displeased the elders. Everyone unanimously forbade touching the cat, and kissing him was completely out of the question.

Mostly cats are owned in families where there are girls. This happens almost without fail. A cat's affection, purring and meowing evoke a feeling of tenderness towards your pet. Accordingly, you want to kiss him despite all prohibitions. After reading this article, you will find out whether it is possible to kiss an animal.

Consideration of this issue is possible both from a medical point of view and based on superstitions and signs.

Dangerous neighborhood

By receiving good nutrition and regular grooming, your pet can look completely healthy: well-fed sides, radiant eyes, shiny coat. However, it can be a carrier of pathogenic particles dangerous to humans, including viruses, bacteria, fungal microflora and parasites.

If a cat has access to the street and “walks on its own,” then the likelihood of bringing infection into the house on its paws and fur increases tenfold. Dirty travel through garbage cans and basements, eating garbage, contact with rats and unkempt stray creatures increases the risk of transmitting pathogens of dangerous diseases to owners:

Rabies . The deadly virus usually enters the bloodstream through the bite of a sick animal. However, there have been cases of infection through saliva that gets onto the wound surface of the skin or mucous membrane. In the wild, the main source of the disease is foxes, and in the city - stray dogs and cats. The virus spreads along nerve fibers and affects the central nervous system, leading to aggressive behavior, paralysis and death. Veterinarians warn: you should never touch, much less pick up or press an unfamiliar cat to your face. The closer the site of initial penetration of the pathogen is to the head, the shorter the incubation period and the less time to take preventive measures and administer a life-saving vaccine.
Toxoplasmosis . The causative agent of toxoplasmosis is the microscopic parasite Toxoplasma gondii, which enters the body through contact with infected animals, their blood, entrails and feces, as well as through eating poorly cooked or fried meat. If a pet is a carrier of toxoplasma, the owner can easily become infected by changing the litter in the cat's litter box and forgetting to wash their hands afterward. Some people have asymptomatic toxoplasmosis, while others experience a slight increase in temperature, conjunctivitis, lethargy, swollen lymph nodes, and dysfunction of the liver, heart, and nervous system. Toxoplasma poses a particular danger to pregnant women, causing intrauterine fetal death, serious developmental disorders and the birth of an oligophrenic child.
Salmonellosis . This is a highly contagious infectious disease of animals caused by bacteria from the genus Salmonella and affecting mainly the digestive and respiratory systems. In young animals, the disease is severe, with general intoxication, fever, signs of acute gastroenteritis and bronchitis. A pet can become infected with salmonella through contact with sick pets, birds and harmful rodents. If sanitary standards are not observed at poultry farms, poultry carcasses and eggs become the source of the disease. A person runs the risk of getting salmonellosis by caring for a sick kitten or eating meat products that have not passed veterinary control.
Chlamydia . In cats, the intracellular bacterium Chlamydophila felis most often affects the eyes, leading to chronic conjunctivitis. In babies from 1 to 3 months, severe inflammation of the mucous membrane of the eyes and profuse lacrimation are accompanied by decreased activity, runny nose, swelling of the throat and bronchitis. Mature cats become infected through sexual contact, newborn kittens - when passing through the female's birth canal. In humans, the course of feline chlamydial conjunctivitis has a lubricated form and proceeds easily. Infection is possible through contact with a carrier animal. For treatment, eye ointments containing antibiotics are used.
Dermatomycoses . Fungal infections of the skin, known as ringworm, lead to redness, itching, dandruff, bald patches and brittle hair. The course of the disease is complicated by the addition of a pyogenic infection. Young children are most sensitive to dermatomycosis due to instability of the immune system and non-compliance with mandatory hygiene rules. If symptoms of the disease are detected in a cat, treatment should be started immediately, and all family members should undergo a preventive examination by a dermatologist.
Helminths . Cats can be hosts to several types of parasitic worms (worms), which live primarily in the intestines, but cause intoxication of the entire body. Kittens are most often infected with roundworms (nematodes), the most common of which are roundworms. Their number can be so great that the intestinal wall ruptures and the baby dies from peritonitis. Adult animals are infested with tapeworms, the most dangerous of which is echinococcus. In the human body, the larva travels through the bloodstream into the liver and forms blisters there, in which it slowly develops and grows. Cats become infected with helminths from each other, or by eating raw meat, liver, or fish with microscopic larvae. Freshwater bodies of water are especially unfavorable, so it is recommended to thoroughly boil the catch from there. Worm eggs are released into the external environment with feces and often remain on the animal’s fur, so a person can become a carrier of helminths during daily interaction with a cat. As a preventative measure, you should regularly give your pet antihelminthic drugs and avoid feeding poor-quality food.

Do cats like to be kissed?

A logical question arises: how does the cat herself feel from hugs and kisses from her owner? Surprisingly, very few murks perceive this as affection and would like to receive it again and again. On the contrary, they see this as some kind of act of aggression and try in every possible way to avoid such a manifestation of feelings - they worry, hiss, and sometimes use their claws. It's simple - cats and people are not brothers and their ways of expressing emotions are completely different. If a cat responds to kisses with bites or scratches, this does not mean that it is aggressive or ill-mannered - it means that it has encountered an alien type of communication and does not understand how to behave. Or, on the contrary, she has already understood and clearly makes it clear to the person: “Stop it.”

True aspirations

Building relationships is a long process and, as a rule, takes some time. Everything never works out at once. No matter how much you would like to solve all problems in one fell swoop, you should be patient. Sometimes it takes a lot of effort to understand this. Often a person begins to realize his true aspirations while already in a couple. When something has to be sacrificed, people begin to experience irritation and general dissatisfaction. So misunderstanding grows even more, as a result the situation worsens. Any relationship changes over time, you just need to work on it correctly. You need to decide on your true aspirations. If you want to make communication with your other half more sincere and vibrant, then you need to not skimp on kisses. Tactile contact is very important: this is how people intuitively realize that they need each other. Feeling significant and loved is the most important condition for happiness.

What are the dangers of hugging cats?

Cats are often carriers of diseases such as:

rabies;
toxoplasmosis;
salmonellosis;
helminthiasis;
felinosis;
chlamydia and others.

Pet owners who feel the urge to hug or kiss their cat are at risk of infection. Even if the cat is healthy according to the veterinary record, there is no guarantee that he did not contract an infection during street walks.

Toxoplasma is unicellular and has an arched shape. Very stable in the external environment, especially in the form of cysts (shell-covered forms that survive unfavorable conditions). The main host of Toxoplasma is the cat, while the human body is an intermediate host. They develop in the cat's intestines, after which they enter the external environment with feces, and often onto the cat's fur, from where they enter the human body upon contact with the lips. Most often, owners of infected animals do not notice the symptoms of the disease, since they are not specific.

In the acute stage, the disease can manifest itself with the following symptoms:

diffuse enlargement of lymph nodes;
diarrhea;
temperature increase;
nasal discharge;
loss of appetite;
redness of the eyes.
When the disease enters the chronic stage, all these symptoms disappear. But the danger remains, since at any stage of the disease cysts are released in the feces. If Toxoplasma does enter the human body, it penetrates the hematopoietic organs and the central nervous system.
Possible disorders of the endocrine and genitourinary systems (erection or menstrual dysfunction).

Doctors' concerns

Reasonable explanations for why you should not kiss cats on the nose, paws and other parts of the body are also put forward by doctors.

There are a huge number of diseases that a tailed friend can transmit to a person:

staphylococci, salmonella, bacteria, other microorganisms;
lichens, fungal infections;
bartonellosis;
toxoplasmosis and various types of fever.

Of course, if you see that the pet is clearly sick, then most likely common sense will prevail and you will refrain from kissing. But the problem is that many diseases simply cannot be determined without special tests. In addition, the animal may not be sick, but simply be a carrier of the infection.

It is especially important to handle animals carefully for people who have weakened immune systems:

If a healthy person can kiss a cat without visible consequences for his body, then how a reduced immune system will react to a possible “infection” is not clear.

Slow blinking and squinting

Cat eyes can say a lot. So, if a cat honors you with prolonged direct eye-to-eye contact, then he clearly feels sympathy. And if all this is accompanied by slow blinking and a strong squint, then there should be no doubt.

And if you look at the cat the same way in response, then most likely he will understand the return signal. The main thing is that on your part it looks like a sign of love, and not as a sign of aggression, which cats can also express through eye contact.

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