The Rules of Hugging Your Cat

There’s a special kitty holiday coming up. May 30 ^th is International Hug Your Cat Day! Kitties are purrfect cuddle buddies. However, there are some things to keep in mind when it comes to hugging them. In this article, a Thorold, ON vet offers some tips on how to properly hug a cat.

Not all cats enjoy being hugged. Some kitties prefer to be admired from a distance. If Fluffy isn’t much for snuggling, don’t force her. She may be perfectly content to just sit quietly beside you, or watch you from across the room. There’s nothing wrong with that! You can still spoil your kitty by talking to her, playing with her, and giving her toys and treats.

When you are holding your pet, be sure to support her weight properly, by either her legs or rump. Of course, Fluffy may decide to curl herself around your shoulders. That’s okay too! Never hold your pet by her tummy. This can cause serious internal injuries!

One of the main rules of hugging cats is that it’s always up to the cat to decide when cuddle time is over. Fluffy will let you know when she wants to get down. Don’t try to force your kitty to submit. That’s how you get scratched!

Hugging a purring furball can be very beneficial for kids. Fluffy can teach children about unconditional love and friendship, and can comfort and soothe them on bad days. However, young children are often rather clumsy, and may not hold kitties properly. You don’t want your child find out the hard way what happens when you hug a cat that doesn’t want to be hugged! Supervise interactions between your young ones and their feline pals.

Kitties should be hugged often! We generally recommend hugging Fluffy at least once a day. Of course, for this special occasion, you may also want to get some extra purrs by offering your feline friend toys, treats, and/or catnip.

If you have a kitten, extra snuggles are definitely in order. Cuddles and hugs will help little Fluffy feel loved and safe, which is very important! We suspect most of you won’t have many objections!

Please reach out to us, your Thorold, ON vet clinic, anytime. We are here to help!