When cuddling close to my chest my cat Sombra often extends one of her front paws to pat my face so gently that I don't feel her claws which I interpret as an affectionate gesture. Unfortunately I'm not very skilful at taking selfies to register this.
But Sombra doesn't reserve her patting only for cuddling moments. Sometimes she will come up to me and pat my arm before running away and half hiding in a lurking attitude which means that she wants to play. If I don't take heed she will repeat her gesture until I do. She always wins because I don't have the heart to disappoint her although I am not always in the mood to comply.
Sombra is more vocal than Cucumella used to be but she resorts a lot to "body language" to express herself. Although she is only 4 years old she has a strong personality and it has taken her only 6 months to train me to interpret her many ways to express herself.
I would love to know if gentle paw patting is a common gesture from cats in general.
But Sombra doesn't reserve her patting only for cuddling moments. Sometimes she will come up to me and pat my arm before running away and half hiding in a lurking attitude which means that she wants to play. If I don't take heed she will repeat her gesture until I do. She always wins because I don't have the heart to disappoint her although I am not always in the mood to comply.
Sombra is more vocal than Cucumella used to be but she resorts a lot to "body language" to express herself. Although she is only 4 years old she has a strong personality and it has taken her only 6 months to train me to interpret her many ways to express herself.
I would love to know if gentle paw patting is a common gesture from cats in general.