People who love cats say that nothing else lifts their spirits and allows them to abstract themselves from sad thoughts like communicating with their pets. By hugging a cat and holding this fluffy, warm and purring creature close to them, they reduce the level of stress in their body. Do cats like to hug or do they simply tolerate such affection from their owners?
Do cats like to cuddle?
A quick search on the Internet will reveal hundreds of images and videos of cats hugging each other and their kittens, people, as well as dogs, ducks, toys, tree branches and inanimate objects!
But do cats really love cuddles and enjoy cuddling with their owners?
How dangerous contact can be
Worms or helminthiasis. The larvae of these harmful worms can be found on the animal’s fur and, if a person does not follow the rules of hygiene (washing hands), they can become infected. Fleas and ticks. The danger of these parasites is not even in their bites, but in the diseases they carry. It could be:
- ehrlichiosis;
- encephalitis;
- Lyme disease.
Bartonellosis. You can become infected from a sick cat through a scratch or bite. Once in the body, the infection causes inflammation around the damaged skin. Then a blister forms there. After some time, a feverish feeling and headache appear.
Lichen. It is most often transmitted to children and people with weak immune systems.
Toxoplasmosis. You can get infected from just one hug, if you touch the fur that the cat licked after visiting the litter box.
Chlamydia is also transmitted from animals, cats being one of them. Now, I think, everyone already understands why you can’t hug cats and cats, especially those about whom nothing is known (neighbors, strays). And the most annoying thing is that the main carriers of infection are cute kittens. After all, their body does not yet have immunity capable of fighting various diseases.
According to experts in the field of felinology and practicing psychologists, feline therapy, or cat therapy, can help a person get rid of a bad mood, gather strength and perk up, and recover from certain diseases. Every day feline therapy expands the boundaries of its effectiveness and gains more and more fans.
Despite the enormous benefits and incredible pleasure that a person experiences from communicating with a pet, cuddling with a cat can often have harmful consequences. So, let's figure out whether it's possible to kiss a cat.
Let us now tell you why hugging a cat can pose a danger to human health and life.
Not only street cats, but also domestic cats are often carriers of the following diseases:
- helminthiasis;
- leptospirosis;
- salmonellosis;
- bartonellosis;
- chlamydia;
- toxoplasmosis;
- giardiasis;
- felinosis;
- trichophytosis;
- microsporia;
- staphylococcus;
- tuberculosis;
- rabies.
As for fungal diseases, a family pet can “make its owner happy” with candidiasis, sporotrichosis, blastomycosis, malassezia and ringworm.
At an early stage, most of the above diseases are asymptomatic; a person in close contact with a cat at first does not even suspect that he or she is infected.
Do cats like to cuddle?
Cats do not have complex social relationships. This is due to the fact that their ancestors, African wild cats, were solitary predators.
This will make our social interactions seem strange to cats, since most people use touch all the time, whether it's a handshake, a light touch on the arm, or trying to walk together holding hands. For cats, even if they look like they're cuddling, it looks and means a little different.
Petting a cat has all sorts of benefits for human health, reducing stress and improving our mood.
Many countries even have a national cat day!
But is it as good for them as it is for us? Some cats love contact with us, others that can accept affection and hugs from a person or not, and others avoid physical contact with the owner, but this does not mean that the cat does not love him.
This is because cats love to maintain a sense of control, which includes being able to escape from any situation.
When we hug cats, we are actually containing them in our embrace and limiting their movement.
Therapeutic effect
When cats touch and crush a person with their paws, they share their energy and take away all the negativity. In addition, cat massage has other medicinal properties, due to which animals are used in medicine. Here are just a few facts:
- Cats help in the treatment of cerebral palsy, people with disabilities and autism;
- The strong energy field of animals can relieve people from the symptoms of chronic diseases;
- Felinotherapy is useful in the treatment of inflammation, gynecological problems and recovery after surgery;
- With constant contact with cats, people become less susceptible to infectious diseases;
- A cat's purring promotes bone tissue restoration and helps heal fractures;
- The sounds that a cat makes improve breathing, help fight stress and restore the nervous system.
It is worth noting the phenomenal intuition of furry pets, who subtly sense the approach of death and human illness. That is why they often come and lie on a sore spot on the body or near the bed of the dying person.
All these unique skills of pets must be appreciated by showing your attention and care for cats. Only then will they reciprocate and relieve you of headaches and stress.
Cuddling kittens
One of the images I came across while searching for cuddling kittens shows two felines, one standing upright with his front paws wide open and looking at the other kitten across from him, who appears to be sitting nonchalantly.
You might think that a kitten standing upright really wants to hug its furry friend. In fact, a kitten standing on its hind legs is using the other as hunting practice, while a sitting kitten is preparing to defend itself.
While this obviously seems like a joke, it perfectly illustrates the very human perception of cat behavior.
Hidden threat
Even if the animal does not leave the apartment, undergoes routine deworming, is vaccinated and eats heat-treated food, the owner should think about the hygiene of cat caresses:
- Deceptive clean. At first glance, cats seem to be perhaps the cleanest animals on the planet, having inherited the instinct of wild ancestors, hunting from ambush and licking themselves to hide their scent. Murki spend more than half of their waking hours washing themselves, leisurely licking and sorting the fur with their teeth, cleaning their claws and paw pads. A rough tongue, like a brush, absorbs dead hair, skin particles, dirt and skin secretions. Cats are especially meticulous in washing their faces and intimate areas, thus collecting all bodily fluids, as well as external and internal parasites, with their tongue. The owner involuntarily tastes all this, accepting the tenderness of the furry pet.
- The mouth of a predator. Kissing cats is also not acceptable because the animal’s oral cavity is a container for millions of bacteria. Cats do not brush their teeth, so leftover food rots, causing rapid growth of microflora on the mucous membranes of the gums, cheeks and tongue. As a result, animals may experience tartar deposits, caries, stomatitis and gingivitis. Together with saliva, bacteria can migrate to a person if the owner allows the cat to lick his face, and especially his lips.
- Possibility of allergic manifestations. A pathological reaction of the immune system of some people, known as “cat allergy,” develops upon contact with a specific protein compound contained in skin secretions, dead epidermal cells, natural waste, and especially the saliva of the animal. When licking the cat's fur, saliva spreads throughout the cat's body, getting on the owner's skin not only when kissing the face, but also when stroking and grooming the pet.
You can suspect an allergy to cats if the owner is diagnosed with:
- sneezing and clear nasal discharge without an increase in general body temperature (allergic rhinitis);
- persistent dry cough (allergic bronchitis);
- swelling and redness of the mucous membrane of the eyes, watery eyes and itching (allergic conjunctivitis);
- rash on the face and body (allergic dermatitis);
- severe inflammation and itching at the site of a skin scratch or cat bite.
Also watch the video of what happens if you kiss cats:
Cats hugging toys
Other images that, for example, show cats hugging a toy can also be misinterpreted.
Typically what they do is grab a toy with their front paws and scoop it up with their back legs in a "bunny" style, something that cats instinctively do either when playing or when they are involved in a fight with another cat.
They do this to cause as much damage as possible to their opponent, which you will know if the cat mistakes your hand for their opponent!
Why does a cat bite? Read here!!!
Cats hugging each other
Cats look like they are hugging when they curl up together. Yes, cats can find themselves in very strange positions to get as close to each other as possible. But in reality, cats huddle together to stay warm and stay warm, even if it's hot in your home.
So, what may look like a cat hug is a random position they've fallen into to keep warm.
It's clear that we humans are very social, we can enjoy physical contact (especially hugging furry, cute animals).
We love our cats and want them to love us and show it in ways we are used to seeing, but we may unintentionally attribute human behavior to them. Of course cats are clearly capable of showing a lot of physical affection, it's just that our interpretation of a hug may be different from theirs, and that's something to keep in mind!
Does love for hugs depend on breed?
Breed may also influence a cat's love for cuddling. Representatives of calm breeds are usually more prone to display sentimentality than active ones. For example, Persians and Ragdolls like to hug the most, Abyssinians and Bengal cats like the least.
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Why does a cat hug a kitten?
When human mothers give birth, a hormone called oxytocin is released, which gives them a feeling of intense connection with their baby.
This same hormone is released when cats give birth, and it also helps them fall in love with their kittens.
It's wonderful to watch a mother cat care for her kittens, feed them, protect them, provide them with the warmth they need, and teach them how to hunt!
But is this a hug in our human understanding?
Not really. Although the mother cat does not know that she is hugging the kitten, she is showing an element of maternal protection and affection towards her kitten, she is warming it up in what looks like a hug.
Rules for safe hugs
Don't avoid cats completely. They are able to bring warmth and joy to the home. The main thing is to adhere to the rules:
- It is better not to approach street cats. If you decide to adopt a “stray”, then the first step is to wash the new pet and then show it to the veterinarian.
- Get dewormed and take other tests. If necessary, treat the animal
- If you avoid biting and scratching, it is better not to disturb your cat while eating and sleeping.
- Don't forget to change the filler. After cleaning the tray, disinfect your hands, or better yet use gloves.
- Eliminate raw foods from your pet's diet, such as fish, eggs, meat.
- When you get home, shine your shoes and tidy up the hallway. After all, you can bring helminths or microbes home with dirt.
- After you cuddle with a cat, wash your hands.
- Don't forget about general cleaning.
- Forbid the animal from touching your face and do not give it food from your utensils.
- If possible, do not let your pet outside, and if this happens, it is better to wash the pussy with shampoo with antibacterial properties.
Cats hugging people
Cats are not born knowing how to interact with people, they need to learn how to be pets.
So, why do cats stand on their hind legs while their front paws reach out to their owners as if wanting to hug them?
Supposedly this is an instinctive behavior, something that some cats have learned to do because they know it will lead to pleasant consequences, such as affection or a tasty gift.
Moreover, they are probably doing this in response to a signal we have given them, either consciously or unconsciously!
Some scientists have even suggested that cats deliberately spread their scent to their owners through secretions secreted from the skin glands around their cheeks and ears, and this may be the reason why some cats also wrap their paws around their owners' necks.
Let's sum it up
It's no secret that cats are special animals that require respect and a lot of attention. But in return they are ready to give no less, for example, cats will always come to a person in a bad mood or during an exacerbation of chronic diseases. Cats also have special energy and are ready to share it with others. To do this, they knead the person with their paws and purr. For this reason, you should not scold, punish or beat a cat for such behavior. It’s better to thank him and reward him with a tasty treat.
If the cat produces its claws, damages furniture, or causes discomfort, you can use one of the recommendations described above. Although usually it will be enough to trim the claws and switch attention to your favorite toys. And the moment of sexual desire and estrus will just have to wait out, because sterilization is the last, desperate step!
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How to hug a cat
First, it is important to understand your cat's individual requirements for physical contact.
If he reacts neutrally or tries to break free and run away, do not touch him.
If you have a cat that likes to cuddle with you, wait until she interacts with you first before you cuddle.
Always be gentle, limit the amount of time you cuddle, watch your pet's body language, any signs of anxiety, and always stop if your cat starts to struggle.
Precautionary measures
It is important to remember and follow a few simple rules for communicating with animals in the future. There is no need to touch a stray cat if you are not going to help it (free it from captivity, feed it, etc.)
d.). If you decide to take the animal home, do it carefully, because the cat is scared. It’s better not to wash your new pet with anti-flea shampoos: firstly, washing is stressful, and secondly, the animal may suffer from lichen, which after washing will spread throughout the body. If there are fleas, use special drops or spray. You need to contact a veterinarian as soon as possible, a specialist will check the animal for diseases and give vaccinations. If necessary, deworming can be carried out
There is no need to touch a stray cat if you are not going to help it (free it from captivity, feed it, etc.). If you decide to take the animal home, do it carefully, because the cat is scared. It’s better not to wash your new pet with anti-flea shampoos: firstly, washing is stressful, and secondly, the animal may suffer from lichen, which after washing will spread throughout the body. If there are fleas, use special drops or spray. You need to contact a veterinarian as soon as possible, a specialist will check the animal for diseases and give vaccinations. If necessary, deworming can be done.
If you adopted an animal from the street, be sure to take it to the veterinarian and get all the necessary vaccinations.
In addition, you need to handle the toilet carefully: change the filler regularly. After changing the filler, you need to wash your hands thoroughly (you can use thick rubber gloves). And each owner also has his own tricks and devices: self-cleaning trays, scoops, bags for excrement, etc.
My cat's litter box originally had a grate. I bought wood filler because it held the odor best and was easy to replace. When the cat grew older, she began to pick at the edge of the mesh with her claws, trying to pull it out of the tray. She also threw sawdust in different directions. The pet store suggested that the cat might be too “small.” I bought a tray for large breeds (the mesh was immediately pulled out). Now I use clay filler, since pebbles made of natural material are heavier than others and fly out less. I used clay for the first time, and then I realized that it stuck to the bottom. Later I adapted to this: I put cling film on the bottom of the tray, wrap the edges under the rim of the tray and secure it with thin tape. When replacing, I simply lift the film, turning its edges inward. All that remains is to rinse the tray.
The next rule: you need to exclude raw animal products from the cat’s menu: meat, fish, eggs, etc. And also the cat should not eat from human dishes and vice versa. There is no need to feed your pet from the mouth (cats may insistently ask if they smell the treat).
Cats love raw meat and fish, but don't indulge them.
In addition, in any situation, you need to follow basic hygiene rules: regular and general cleaning of the house, washing your hands after contact with an animal, etc. It is better not to let a domestic cat outside. And if you do let him out, then after the walk you need to wash your pet with a special antibacterial shampoo. But all these are just general rules. For the most correct treatment of an animal, you need to know the characteristics of your cat. Attentive owners carefully monitor the health of their pet and know for sure whether it is possible to hug and kiss it.
After walking outside, wash your cat with shampoo
There are several types of reasons why cats should not be kissed or hugged - medical, psychological and mystical. Psychological reasons are associated with the character of the cat, mystical ones - with signs and prejudices. The most important are medical reasons - the possibility of contracting various diseases. To prevent tactile communication with a cat from leading to tragic consequences, you need to follow a number of rules and remember to vaccinate your pet on time.
Should cats be hugged every day?
Do cats like to cuddle? Probably not in the way we think, but by showing us physical affection and allowing us to pet and cuddle them, cats are engaging in a social ritual that strengthens the bond with their owner.
However, it is wise to remember that when it comes to any type of physical interaction, it is good practice to wait until the cat wants affection and cuddles without forcing physical contact on them.
Do you have a cat who likes to cuddle with you or, on the contrary, ignores you?
What's the funniest thing she likes to cuddle with?
Tell us in the comments section below!
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Cat Kiss: Are you really kissed by your cats and pussies?
After such a kiss, an unpleasant thing happens to a person - he stops loving the world around him, loving himself, loving his loved ones. He becomes a slave to the cat, he loves only her, he sees and notices only her, for her sake he is ready to do the most reckless things. This is what happens if you kiss a cat according to some other superstitions.
You also shouldn't kiss cats, especially if they don't want to. They are creatures with a strong character, so if you kiss a cat when he doesn't want it, the life of the person who kissed the cat can become complicated. The cat will constantly get in the way, shit in shoes, interfere with sleep, ruin clothes - naturally, this will not make the person’s mood very good. He will become irritable, begin to lose his temper over trifles, and this may result in a serious nervous illness. But again, signs and superstitions tell us about this, which does not guarantee exactly such consequences.
Is it possible to kiss domestic cats?
It would seem that it would be bad if you kiss a cat. After all, these are the cutest home creatures that bring a piece of comfort and tranquility to your home. They seem to be the very embodiment of cleanliness and order, because they constantly wash and lick themselves. Cats seem so clean, always neat and well-groomed. When you take them in your arms, they caress and purr so much, you just want to pet them and kiss them. Some people wonder whether it is possible to kiss cats on the nose and the answer here is negative, since cats, unwittingly, are carriers of a wide variety of pathogenic bacteria and microorganisms. They may also have ringworm, not only ringworm, which is visible to the naked eye, but also ringworm in the form of a fungus, which can only be seen in a veterinary laboratory. Therefore, kissing cats is strictly prohibited, and after holding a cat, you must wash them thoroughly with soap.
Why do cats get in your face and poke your neck?
my cat always gets in my face and nuzzles my neck. Why does he do this? Why does it poke you in the neck? Miss Milka [259] 6 years ago Because they are sweet, kind and love us, despite our shortcomings and believe that we will feed them, pet them and warm them. This is not “sussy-pussy”, I really think so. I think that cats (and dogs) were probably given to us so that kindness and compassion would be poured into us more often. the author of the question chose this answer as the best This is how cats express their sympathy and affection. They can also affectionately bite and lick their owner. My cat and cat do all this all the time. kacevalova [27.9K] 3 years ago Cats, unlike dogs, show their feelings of love and devotion differently. This behavior of your pet is a manifestation of love. A cat that rubs its muzzle against its owner's face is a sign of trust in its person. This method is to show: love, devotion, trust and affection. My cat loves cuddles. He will climb onto my chest, hug my neck with both paws and press his muzzle to my cheek. Moreover, he purrs something in his ear, as if he is sharing a secret. Well, just charm! I think that this is how a cat’s love and affection for a person is manifested. Chosik [193K] more than a year ago It depends more on the character and upbringing of the cat itself. There are cats that happily sit on your lap, and in order to move them, you just need to pick them up. Other cats love to rub their muzzle against the owner’s face, burying their nose in the hair, if the length allows. Such cats usually prefer to be carried over the shoulder, allowing them to grab their back with their paws. Perhaps this has to do with the behavior of the owner when the kitten was small. And if he was pressed to his face during the period of affection, then it is logical that, having become an adult, the animal itself presses itself to the familiar zone. After all, the owner does not scold for such behavior, so why not. Driad [11.4K] 2 years ago Cats are very capricious animals, but if you find a common language with them and they love you, this feeling will more than pay off. When a cat crawls up to your face or neck, it means it is trying to express its sympathy for you. I think the face and neck of a person have a peculiar smell that is very attractive to these beautiful creatures. vitalek [5.9K] 3 years ago Personally, my cat loves to jump on my chest when I’m lying on the sofa and rub his nose against my cheek, and also expose his neck to be scratched and stroked. And this happens as a sign of gratitude for the fact that you feed him and show attention in affection. Cats look for a warm and soft place with their owner, my cat likes to sleep near my neck, curl up in a ball and purr. Probably we humans have our own scent on our necks, cats catch it with their instincts and caress closer to the neck. It's so nice! Trok [41.4K] more than a year ago If you notice that your cat is getting in your face and poking your neck, then in this way she expresses her affection and sympathy to you. In this way they express their feelings, especially devotion. The cat trusts this person. That is, if your cat decides to get in the owner’s face, another person with whom he interacts, he is expressing his love, devotion, and also trust in the person. joky [92.5K] more than a year ago It's common practice for cats to poke their necks. It's like a kiss on the neck or cuddles for cats. A cat's expression of love and affection. Moreover, most likely only cats poke in the neck. Cats poke you in the face. This is how they greet you and express their love and affection for you. Red Cloud [224K] more than a year ago My cat doesn’t interfere, she’s a stern lady and almost just hits me with her paw, she doesn’t like all this tenderness. Well, in general, in this way they express love for their owner, that is, they show how dear you are to her and how deeply attached she is to you. Vladsandrovich [650K] more than a year ago In such actions lies the basis of their generally feline temperament, since they are by nature endowed with such reflexes that encourage them, unlike the canine family, to rub and thereby, due to their whiskers, sense a person more acutely. Do you know the answer? |
Rules for safe hugs
Don't avoid cats completely. They are able to bring warmth and joy to the home. The main thing is to adhere to the rules:
- It is better not to approach street cats. If you decide to adopt a “stray”, then the first step is to wash the new pet and then show it to the veterinarian.
- Get dewormed and take other tests. If necessary, treat the animal
- If you avoid biting and scratching, it is better not to disturb your cat while eating and sleeping.
- Don't forget to change the filler. After cleaning the tray, disinfect your hands, or better yet use gloves.
- Eliminate raw foods from your pet's diet, such as fish, eggs, meat.
- When you get home, shine your shoes and tidy up the hallway. After all, you can bring helminths or microbes home with dirt.
- After you cuddle with a cat, wash your hands.
- Don't forget about general cleaning.
- Forbid the animal from touching your face and do not give it food from your utensils.
- If possible, do not let your pet outside, and if this happens, it is better to wash the pussy with shampoo with antibacterial properties.
As you can see, we have successfully and positively dealt with the question – is it possible to hug cats? Remember to be patient with your pet, study him, and take care of his health. Only then will you be able to hug your cat without the risk of getting infected, scratched or rejected.
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