For those who adore cats, seeing an unfamiliar cat elicits immediate excitement. However, that excitement can quickly dissipate when said cat simply won’t let you near them—let alone pet them. Only to then watch the cat jump onto your dog-loving friend’s lap!

You may think of yourself as a cat lover and assume that because of this, all cats will feel the same toward you. However, cats seem to have a preference for people who don’t try too hard with them—and a new study can help us understand why.

The Study by Scientific Reports
A 2022 study by Scientific Reports and published on Nature.com found that people who lived with or owned cats, seemed to approach and engage with other cats in a way that the cats found less desirable than people who had little or no previous experience with cats.

This somewhat counterintuitive conclusion was reached through a study using just under 120 human volunteers and various neutered, non-purebred, adult cats. Each cat in the study was in an enclosure with access to basic needs including food and water, a litterbox, and a safe hiding spot. The study participants were asked to enter the cat’s enclosure, sit in a designated chair, and interact with the cats as they normally would—but not pick them up.

Each interaction in the study lasted 5 minutes and each participant then repeated the exchange with an additional two cats (sometimes more) in two other enclosures. The results were then analyzed by factors such as the participant’s experience with cats, how many they owned, and how much they knew about cats.

The Results
The cats in the study responded the best to participants who were passive but receptive and touched the cats minimally. Those who behaved this way tended to be people with less experience with cats. These people tended to avoid the belly and the base of the tail, where most cats dislike being touched. They also stayed away from the back, sides, and legs.
The people who were self-proclaimed cat lovers were more likely to try and get the cats’ attention and touch them in areas that are considered “no-go” zones. The cats were then less inclined to be friendly toward them.

The Takeaway
Because cats are typically both predator and prey in the wild, they tend to naturally keep to themselves and must choose interactions carefully—for the most part. Any overly confident behavior, even if it is well-meaning, generally won’t go down well with a cat you are a stranger to.

People who aren’t generally “cat people” tend to be more reserved and approach cats on the cat’s own terms.
Catster.com in-house veterinarian Dr. Lorna Whittemore (BVMS, MRCVS, GPcertFelp) agrees and says “Cats are known for being contrary at the best of times and this study on the surface gives more weight to that. However, what seems to actually be happening is that the “non” cat people were behaving in a way more respectful to cats. We could all do well to remember to give cats space and time to behave in a way that is natural and non-threatening to them.”

Dr. Whittemore also has some tips for approaching unfamiliar cats: “Let them approach you, use minimal direct eye contact, and avoid stroking them on the tummy, bottom, and legs. Calmly disengage every now and then, giving the cat the choice to re-initiate contact with you if they are enjoying it. While it may be hard to reign in your enthusiasm, trying to be “more cat” and pretending you are not interested may win you a new feline best friend.”

Catster.com has been the go-to source for all things cat-related for decades. With a dedicated team of experienced writers and vets, the website is a treasure trove of up-to-date information and tips on how to properly care for your cat, plus interesting facts about the bonds between cats and their owners. For more information on everything in the world of cats, be sure to check out Catster.com!