How to stroke a cat, according to science
phys.org
phys.org
We've had several generations of country cats at our country farm house(India). Only female cats stick around house after maturing and eventually bear kittens. Male after maturing leave home, start fighting for alpha status and even killing younger/weaker males.
People often show-up to take away young kittens to raise them at their home.
Primary purpose of having cats here(country-side) is still pest control, house & farm rats. Hence, they're infested with fleas; we don't allow them inside house.
I don't tell visitors which is which.
He'll go belly-up in front me, allow me to pet his belly while seemingly enjoying it, then, take a swipe with his paw, watch me retract, then go belly-up again.
Until now I always assumed this meant my cat was telling me it enjoyed being stroked. /s
I'm not in disagreement with you or the other people who have replied in a similar manner. I'm only talking about the people who smother their pets in what they deem to be affection, ignoring the obvious signs of dislike or tension mentioned in the article. You know, the people who like to drag their cats out from their hiding places or chase them down for pets and hugs when they try to run away. They're essentially helpless against our good intentions.
If engagement between the pet and owner is mutual, or if the pet is actively seeking this affection, then my comment obviously does not apply. My comment only says to imagine the engagement from their point of view also.
Cats are far more independent than dogs, which is one reason why I like them. Certain cat breeds can be very dog-like, particularly Arabian Mau, Abyssinian, and Norwegian Forest. All are ridiculously intelligent and will happily accompany you like a dog, have dog-like mannerisms, etc.
Didn't need "Science" to tell me any of this.
You: >>Otherwise it's possible to inhabit the same room as a cat without interacting with it
So...avoid the cat? Like I said? Got it.