Often times, cats raise their claws or seek physical contact with this simple gesture, but there are many meanings behind it. It can range from a clear expression of affection to seeking reassurance when they are feeling anxious.
That's why we'll explain 5 possible signs a cat might give you every time it touches you with a paw.
How to interpret cats' body language
In many respects, it is important to provide some clarification about cats' body language, especially when talking about a common gesture such as placing a paw on your body. It is often seen as a way of expressing dominance, however, this is not necessarily the case. Oftentimes, postures and gestures that cats make are easily misinterpreted, because we often tend to approach them as if they were signs of human communication when in reality they are not.
Observing an animal's behavior is extremely important if you want to know exactly what he or she is trying to communicate. This is especially important if you want to avoid problems such as stress, anxiety, and, in the worst cases, aggression. A gesture such as putting up or raising a paw on its own can mean many different things. This is why you should pay attention to context and other body cues when trying to figure out what your cat is actually trying to tell you.
1. Love and joy
One of the ways cats express their affection is by placing their paws on our legs or any other part of our bodies. They do it simply because they want to be petted - it's that simple. Lying on their paws is another physical expression of affection that you should learn to take into account when interpreting your pet's behavior.
In addition to tail wagging, cats can express joy with other calm behaviors, such as resting the ear, lying on their stomach, etc. They are gestures that indicate that the cat has a lot of accumulated energy. The lesson to take away from this is that it is really important to pay attention to your cat's behavior so you don't mistake him for the wrong thing.
2. Submission
Among the most common behaviors that cats use to socialize with each other, you will find examples of submission and dominance. Usually, when a cat who presents himself as submissive wants to let the dominant cat know that he is accepting his place in the relationship, he will lie on his back and may raise his front paw. This can be useful information to better understand what this procedure means.
3. Invitation to play
Cats have different ways of inviting other canines to play with them, and body language is essential in all of those. One of the most important positions that cats use is sometimes known as the "playing arc." Of course, keep in mind that they can use it not only to contact other animals but also to contact humans.
In addition to these gestures, when playing, cats may bite and even growl. Humans can sometimes misinterpret all of these behaviors as aggressive, but in reality they are not. When playing gets too rough, you can clearly notice that the cats change their body position. They usually get stiffer and move faster without jumping or running in circles.
4. Fear and insecurity
Physical contact is one of the most important aspects for cats to maintain a healthy relationship and to report any issues. In fact, through contact, they may communicate insecurities or fear, such as putting a paw on us. It is important to note their body language to determine this. Lowering the ears and yawning are other common signs of anxiety.
5. Attention
Our furry friends are very happy in our company, which is nothing new. So when we are busy and we can't pay much attention to them but still want our full attention, they find different ways to let us know that they are not very happy. Of course, one of those ways is to put a palm on us. This may be associated with other common behaviors, such as barking, searching for toys, climbing on furniture, etc.
However, if we see that the cat is becoming too demanding or their attention-seeking behavior escalates to new levels that are no longer healthy, something else may be going on. This may indicate that the cat is bored, which means that he has a lot of pent-up energy and does not have the mental stimulation needed to occupy himself with it.
Please share these tips with your family and friends.