Domestic cats vary a lot in terms of what they enjoy regarding being petted, cuddled and being picked up. The default situation is that they like it but with varying degrees of enjoyment or tolerance. Although being picked up is a little different. Some cats just don’t like it and I’d suggest that it is probably not worth the effort to train them to accept it. In respect of being picked up pain comes to mind more so than for being petted as when you pick up a cat it puts pressure on internal organs which if sensitive due to ill-health might cause pain. Clearly the health box needs to be ticked before socialisation and behavioural issues.
The infographic covers the major points I feel. If I have missed something please tell me and I will correct the infographic. Although in being an infographic the information has to be compressed into a small space! This is a summary. You could write a chapter on the topic if you wished.
Can I teach my cat to enjoy being cuddled and picked up? Infographic. by Michael BroadMore: 4 ways to pick up a cat (cooperative, apprehensive, frightened and aggressive)
It is well-known that some areas of a cat’s body are relative no-go areas such as the belly while the top of head is perhaps the most acceptable place to pet partly because there are scent glands there allowing for scent exchange through head butts which almost all domestic cats enjoy doing when greeting as it is a friendly act.
If a cat does not like the usual petting it can be overcome with desensitizing. But gradually. Being cuddled is slightly different as most cats like their freedoms and to cuddle stops them expressing their freedom. The issue of ill-health and pain is more pertinent when cuddling as it can put pressure on the body externally and internally as for being picked up.
More: Pictures of cats cuddling up to their pregnant guardians
