Almost everyone loves cats, but often times these fuzzy felines don't seem too keen on receiving that love. Here are a few tips to make dealing with cats easier and, most importantly, keep your hands safe from scratches!
Pet cats the right way
Simply put: don't pet a cat against the flow of its fur. This is something that I think is mostly an issue with dog owners petting cats. Dogs really don't seem to care about being pet the right way, but I can almost guarantee that a cat will get upset if you pet it against its fur's natural flow. If I had to guess as to why that is, I'd assume it has something to do with the fact that a cat's fur will stick up when they're scared, but I understand the what, not the why. So take that guess with a grain of salt.
Don't pet a cat too aggressively
This one I think is also more of an issue with dog owners who are used to an animal that won't mind or may even enjoy intense petting sessions. I don't mean to say that you can't have an intense play session with your cat, they would probably love that, especially when they're young. The thing to avoid is rapid back and forth petting along their back(which is related to not rubbing their fur the wrong way) and their stomach(something that most dogs I've encountered love).
Check a cat's eyes to see what kind of mood they're in
This kitty's eyes aren't dilated at all, so it probably isn't in play mode
This is something that can often get you out of a few scratches when you try to pet a cat. If their pupils are massive and seem to take up most of the eye, then odds are very high that they are in play mode, fight mode, or some type of mood where they will be ready to claw at you or anything that moves in their reach. If their pupils are relatively small then they should be perfectly content with a good petting session.
Check a cat's tail
Note the tail(and the rest of the cat's fur) is fluffed up
A cat's tail can tell you just as much or more about what a cat is feeling than their eyes. If their tail is all bushed up, then they are scared and your best bet(if you aren't ready to most likely get scratched) is to give them space. If their tail is swishing around a lot then they are most likely ready to play. If the tail is sticking straight up then they are most likely happy(which can come in many forms), and if the tail is dropping down then they are most likely tired(a good time to pet them, gently)
Pet cats from behind if you can
If you can avoid shoving your hands towards a cat's paws and stomach, then that would probably leave you and the cat happier. In my experience a cat sometimes doesn't want to be pet until it IS pet. So by petting it from a "safe" side you will give the cat the satisfaction of being pet without the option for the cat to claw at your hand or try to play with it.
Give a cat something to hold onto when you pick it up
Cats are very independent and trying to hold them is one of the times when this shows the most. Firstly, most cats don't like being held. A good amount of them might lay in your lap or cuddle with you, but few will be happy to let you carry them around all over the place. So when actually picking a cat up, it is pretty important to hold them well so the experience is better for both parties. The easiest way to hold a cat is close to your chest where its front legs can grab your shoulder, and its back legs can rest on your arm. This way should also prevent the cat from digging its claws into your clothes and very likely into your skin in order to hold on.
Cats(and other animals) have personalities
(Don't worry, he's just meowing)
Not every cat is the same. It is a little odd to compare cats and humans in personalities, but it really does exist. That is what makes this "guide" not quite 100% effective. These tips will be helpful for dealing with almost every cat, but some cats will be perfectly willing to tolerate a lot, or they might even enjoy some things I've said are bad choices. At this point any non cat-lovers might think that this amount of consideration just to pet a cat is ridiculous, and they might very well be right. But realistically you don't need to follow any of this. If you are willing to take the chance of getting scratched then you don't need to worry about any of it. And if you don't want to get scratched or follow this, then there's still a cat out there who will be perfectly willing to sit through it all.
And that's all! Keep in mind your feline friend's preferences and you'll both be happier for it!
Going to the cinema alone is good for your mental health, says science
women in street dancing
Photo by 
man and woman standing in front of louver door
Photo by 
man in black t-shirt holding coca cola bottle
Photo by 
red and white coca cola signage
Photo by 
man holding luggage photo
Photo by 
topless boy in blue denim jeans riding red bicycle during daytime
Photo by 
trust spelled with wooden letter blocks on a table
Photo by 
Everyone is Welcome signage
Photo by 
man with cap and background with red and pink wall l
Photo by 
difficult roads lead to beautiful destinations desk decor
Photo by 
photography of woman pointing her finger near an man
Photo by 
closeup photography of woman smiling
Photo by 
a man doing a trick on a skateboard
Photo by 
two men 
running man on bridge
Photo by 
orange white and black bag
Photo by 
girl sitting on gray rocks
Photo by 
assorted-color painted wall with painting materials
Photo by 
three women sitting on brown wooden bench
Photo by 
Photo by 
Photo by 
Photo by 
Photo by 
people sitting on chair in front of computer
