Cats tend to enjoy cheek strokes and dislike the base of the tail
#0048 Animals & plants
Fact rank
A
Confirmed in two studies (primary) that measured reactions by body region. The samples are small (e.g. 9 cats) and individual differences are large, so not S
Wow rank
A
Reactions split clearly by where you stroke
Usefulness
A
Just changing where you stroke improves the interaction
Verification: Supported by evidence
AI verification reports the evidence it found; it does not guarantee that a claim is true.
Cats tend to enjoy being stroked on the cheek (between the eyes and ears) and dislike being stroked at the base of the tail. The chin and lips came in between.
Why
The cheek has scent glands that cats rub on objects and companions to leave their scent, which is thought to make strokes there more welcome.Evidence
Primary Abstract of Ellis et al. (2015, Applied Animal Behaviour Science). The caudal (tail-base) region produced the most negative responses, and handling should avoid that region link
Primary Soennichsen and Chamove (2002, Anthrozoös). Nine cats stroked by their owners reacted more positively on the temporal region between the eyes and ears (a gland area) and the reverse near the tail; chin and lips were in between link
Notes and limits
Individual differences are large and some cats like the base of the tail. In Ellis et al., strokes by familiar people actually drew more negative responses. The draft ranking "cheek, under the chin, base of the ears" was corrected to match the papers: the cheek was preferred most, with chin and lips in between.
Derivations
Derived from: 猫がおなかを見せて転がっても触ってほしいとは限らない
Derived facts: —