How to Pet a High Strung Cat

Co-authored by Carrie Seay, MS-CABAC, KPA-CTP, CBCC-KA

Last Updated: December 14, 2022 References Approved

You’ve encountered a feline friend that’s not quite so friendly. Don’t stress! The high strung cat in question is likely just nervous or fearful, and while you may be keeping your distance now, it doesn't have to stay that way. We’re here to help you close that distance. Keep reading to learn how to better understand a cat’s moods and how to calm down a cat so you’ll be able to pet them safely.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Making a Skittish Cat Comfortable

1
Give a high strung cat places to hide and feel comfortable. While it may be tempting to force a nervous cat to come out of hiding, this will not build a better relationship with the cat.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Carrie Seay, MS-CABAC, KPA-CTP, CBCC-KA
Feline Behavior Consultant
Expert Interview. 1 March 2022.} Instead, if you can tempt the cat out of hiding, you are putting the ball in the cat's court so to speak, basically having it make the decision to interact. If the cat has places it feels safe, then perhaps it will feel less stressed and it will make the cat feel more secure when it does venture out.
- While you want to make sure the cat can hide itself a bit, you also need to make sure that there are no hazards around it. Be especially sure that the cat cannot escape!
- It's also important that the hiding spots are not out of your reach, such as beneath the couch, since you might need to grab the cat in case of an emergency.^{[2]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Carrie Seay, MS-CABAC, KPA-CTP, CBCC-KA
  Feline Behavior Consultant
  Expert Interview. 1 March 2022.}
2
Give the cat some physical space from you. Don't force your affection onto a high strung cat.^{[3]
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Expert Source

Carrie Seay, MS-CABAC, KPA-CTP, CBCC-KA
Feline Behavior Consultant
Expert Interview. 1 March 2022.} It can be totally frustrating to care for a cat that doesn't trust you or care to hang out with you, but you need to keep focused on developing your long-term relationship with the cat. Forcing the cat to do something it doesn't want to do will only make it more distrustful of you.

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3
Stimulate your cat's mind and body. Provide the cat with toys and equipment, such as a cat tower, that will make it happier and more fulfilled.^{[4]
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Research source}^{[5]
X
Expert Source

Carrie Seay, MS-CABAC, KPA-CTP, CBCC-KA
Feline Behavior Consultant
Expert Interview. 1 March 2022.} While a skittish cat may be a little afraid of you, it may overcome that fearfulness to play with you or to receive a treat. Contentment will only make it more likely that the cat will overcome its shyness and become comfortable with you.
4
Understand that a skittish cat may never get totally comfortable in your presence. Some cats are naturally reserved or have experienced trauma that makes them fearful. While it's important to try to make your cat happy and content, it may not be able to overcome all neuroses. Make a concerted effort to socialize your cat but don't think of it as a personal failure if your cat doesn't want to snuggle with you all the time.
5
Make sure that the cat sees that you are feeding it. Food is a powerful motivator for a cat, so if it knows that you are the source of its food it may be more inclined to show you affection. If the cat is severely high strung, feeding time may be the only time you can get near it. Hang out near the cat's food dish, making sure that you are far enough from the dish that the cat will actually eat but that your presence is acknowledged by the cat. Also, make sure that food and water aren't next to the litter box, as that might discourage the cat from eating or drinking.^{[6]
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Expert Source

Carrie Seay, MS-CABAC, KPA-CTP, CBCC-KA
Feline Behavior Consultant
Expert Interview. 1 March 2022.}

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Reading a Cat's Body Language

1
Look for signs of fear in the cat. You don't want to increase the anxiety in a cat that is already stressed out. If a cat has its hair raised or is hissing at you, it's a good sign that the cat doesn't want to interact with you. At that point you can do one of two things, either walk away and let the cat have its space or you can try to win it over by offering a treat to it at a distance. You should not, however, try to win it over by forcing physical affection. This will only discourage trust and may result in the cat scratching or biting you.
- Remember that a cat will rely on the instinct of fight or flight when it feels at risk.^{[7]
  X
  Research source} Whether it runs from you or fights you, it is doing it out of fear.
- You can also look at a cat's tail to judge its comfort level. A tail that is swishing may signal that the cat is fearful, while a straight up tail is more likely to signal that the cat is relaxed and comfortable with you.
2
Understand that a cat may decide it doesn't want to be petted at any point. Stop petting the cat at any sign of displeasure. A cat will usually warn you that it is getting overstimulated by a soft bite or growl.^{[8]
X
Trustworthy Source
The Humane Society of the United States
National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare
Go to source} If the cat you are petting does this, immediately quit petting it and give it some room.
3
Look for signs the cat enjoys being petted. Purring is the clearest signal that your cat enjoys how you are petting it.^{[9]
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Research source} The cats body should be relaxed and it may be pressing into your hand for more pressure if it really likes the petting.
- Your cat may also direct your petting toward where it wants to be scratched. This is a good sign that it likes what's going on, the cat just wants it to happen in another location.
4
Remember that just because a cat rubs up on you, doesn't mean it wants to be petted. A cat may even be purring and then decide that it is done with what you are doing. When petting a high strung cat, be prepared to stop petting him or her quickly, and be aware that you may get bitten or scratched. This may be the cost of trying to connect with a skittish cat.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Petting a Cat Correctly

1
Lure the cat toward you. Once you've located the cat, sit down on a nearby piece of furniture or on the floor but not too close to the cat. Try to be at the cat's elevation so you're not looming over it. You can look in its direction but don't make eye contact. Call the cat's name. It will either respond by looking at you, turning an ear in your direction, pausing from current activity, or slowly getting up, stretching, and leaving the room, or it will not respond to you at all.
- If the cat acknowledges you, begin to pat your knee and call it again in a pleasing, gentle voice. You could even entice it to come to you with a treat.
2
Allow the cat to sniff and rub up against you without attempting to pet it. A skittish cat needs to get used to your smell before it can become comfortable with you. If it comes up to you and rubs up against you, it's saying that you are its territory.^{[10]
X
Trustworthy Source
The Humane Society of the United States
National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare
Go to source} While a rub against your legs doesn't exactly mean that the cat loves you, it's a good first step toward the cat becoming comfortable with you.
- Once the cat has rubbed up against you a few times, put your hand out for it to smell. The cat may rub your hand with its cheek, at which time you can begin to gently find out where it likes to be petted.
3
Make sure the cat sees you coming before you attempt to pet it. Don't surprise a high strung cat. While you might get closer to a skittish cat by sneaking up on it, you are not building trust with the cat. Instead, make sure that the cat sees you coming. If it agrees to let you pet it, you will know because it won't run away.
4
Pet the cat in specific areas of its body. Begin by petting it on the back or under its chin. Also try scratching your cat between the shoulder blades or under its collar. These are spots it can't reach easily, and so cats generally love it.
- Gently stroke the cat in the direction of its fur growth, as many cats don't like their fur messed up by petting against the growth.
5
Avoid petting sensitive areas. For instance, avoid petting a high strung cat's belly.^{[11]
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Research source} Although some cat's enjoy being petted on the belly, it's more likely that this will make a skittish cat go into defense mode. Some cats even take petting on the stomach as a clear invitation to playfully gnaw and scratch your hand.
- Also, many cats don't like being touched on their paws.
- Some cats can bite without warning if you pet them too much. It is often safer to only pet the head, neck and under the chin if you are unsure.
6
Be patient. Pet your new best friend gently and find out where and how the cat likes to be stroked or gently scratched. If your cat leaves, act like you are glad to be doing something very important.
7
Build up the length of time you pet the cat gradually. Don't expect a shy cat to put up with petting for a long period of time. Give him or her a few nice pets on the back and then willingly let the cat move away. This will begin the physical bonding process between both you and the cat, but it will also help to build the bond of trust as well.

Expert Q&A

Question

My kitten is nice for five minutes then bites and scratches. What should I do?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

It is a bizarre but well-recognized phenomena that some cats have a limited fuse when it comes to petting. They tolerate it for a time but then lash out unexpectedly. There is no simple answer other than to learn to read the tell-tale sign, such as a sideways glance or a flick of the tail, that indicates the cat has had enough and is about to strike out. When you see this, stop the petting and step away from the cat.

Warnings

If a cat does hook your hand with its claws, don't yank your hand back, you'll end up with one or more long ragged scratches on your skin. Allow the cat to pull your hand towards itself. Typically it might nibble on your hand a bit or unhook its claws once your hand is closer.

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It's possible your high-strung cat could have Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome if it gets overly agitated by petting. If this is the case, petting and brushing cause pain instead of pleasure. There are various ways to help your cat including (but not limited to) clicker-training, more play time and activity, and medication.

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Do not try to pet your cat while it is eating or using the litter pan, as it may become territorial and scratch you.

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Sometimes cats nibble or paw your hand and forearm playfully. Stop petting the cat and move to a different room for at least 10 minutes. This should show the cat that nibbling or pawing is not an acceptable behavior.

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