Have you noticed that some cats absolutely love having their rear end petted? They even purr and lift their butt high, clearly enjoying it.
But there are also cats that get angry, twitch their tail, or even want to bite as soon as you touch their rear!
Why does this happen? It relates to the individual differences and nerve sensitivity of each cat.
The base of a cat's tail is a nerve-dense area. For some cats, gentle taps here bring feelings of pleasure or excitement, so they lift their butt, purr, and may even approach you for more petting.
However, for other cats, such touches are overly stimulating or invasive, causing them to lash their tail, growl softly, or turn to bite.
It is important to be gentle when petting the rear. Avoid using too much force! Excessive tapping or prolonged stimulation could cause pain or trigger neurological problems such as Cauda Equina Syndrome.
The safest way is to use light pats or strokes and always observe the cat's reaction.
Simply put, respecting your cat's bodily boundaries is the most important. If they willingly approach, relax and purr, or raise their tail, it means they enjoy it. Conversely, if the tail lashes, the body stiffens, or the ears move back, these are warning signs and you should stop immediately.
Mastering this principle will ensure that petting their rear won't annoy your feline friend but instead become a comforting, intimate interaction between you both.
