Are Cats Ticklish?

Many cat owners might have wondered if their cats are ticklish. Cats don’t react the same way to stimuli that humans or other animals might, so many cat owners might not know the answer to this question.

In this article, we will look at whether cats are ticklish and if they are, how to tickle your cat and where.

ARE CATS TICKLISH?

​Yes, all cats are ticklish. They don’t react to being tickled the same way as humans do, but tickling a cat will provoke a reaction from them and they do feel a similar sensation to humans. ​

DO CATS LIKE BEING TICKLED?

This will differ from cat to cat. Some cats greatly enjoy it and like being tickled for a sustained period of time, whereas others only like it for a few moments at a time.

Tickling a cat on the face and under the chin is similar to some actions of a mother cat to her kittens, so for many cats tickling is a welcomed sensation.

However, some other cats don’t like to be tickled at all. You will need to assess your cat’s reaction to being tickled to see if your cat likes it or not.

It’s best to only tickle a cat if they approach you for attention. This way you can better assess their reaction and be sure that any negative reaction is due to the tickling and not just because you’re annoying them when they want to be left alone. 

HOW DO CATS REACT TO BEING TICKLED?

Cats don’t laugh as humans do so their reactions to being tickled, even if they like it, are very different and can be hard to read.

​Although cats can react differently to being tickled, there are some general reactions to look out for that will help you assess whether your cat likes it or not.

POSITIVE REACTIONS

Positive reactions to being tickled include:
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• Purring - this is always the easiest way to tell if your cat is enjoying anything. Purring is the clearest signal that your cat is feeling relaxed and happy and if they purr while you tickle them, you can be sure that they like it.
• Chirping or high-pitched meows - as a cat owner, you will probably know what other noises your cat will make when they are happy. In general, happy cat noises include short meows that are high-pitched so if you hear these, your cat is happy
• Kneading - if your cat starts kneading your or something near to them while you tickle them, this is a sign that they are comfortable and content.
• Not allowing you to stop - if you stop tickling your cat but they try to nudge your hand back into place or make noisy demands to continue, then you will know they’re enjoying themselves!

Negative Reactions

Here are some general negative reactions to being tickled:
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• Deep, long meows - short and high-pitched are a sign of enjoyment, but deep and long meows are a sign of agitation and unhappiness.
• Tense body - if your cat becomes tense instead of relaxed, you should stop tickling them immediately as this is a sure sign that they are not enjoying the attention.
• Hissing and growling - if your cat ever starts hissing or growling at something you are doing, you can be certain that they are unhappy and agitated. Tickling is no exception.
• Ears back - pay attention to your cat’s eyes and if they lie flat or are pushed back, this is a sign of unhappiness
• Swiping at you - a happy cat will nudge your hand to continue, but an unhappy cat will swipe at you to stop

HOW LONG SHOULD I TICKLE MY CAT FOR?

It’s best to keep any tickling sessions short. Although many cats enjoy the sensation of being tickled, they can quickly become overstimulated.

lways make sure that your cat has the room and ability to move away from you if they have had enough and if they do start to pull away, allow them to do so without forcing them to stay.

​Cats are usually very good at letting their feelings be known so don’t push them if they’re unhappy.

WHERE ARE TICKLISH AREAS FOR CATS?

In general, the most common and ticklish areas for cats tend to be their head, face, and neck. These are often the areas where cats like to be petted too.

​When you start to tickle your cat, it is best to begin at the top of their head before moving to any other area. Keep your tickles light and soft as cats don’t respond very well to heavier tickling.

Many cats also like their paws to be tickled, but be very careful with these. Cat paws are very sensitive so keep your touches extra-light if you do tickle their paws.

WHAT AREAS SHOULD I AVOID?

It is best to not tickle your cat’s stomach or tail. Cat bellies are very sensitive and if you try to tickle them there, they may try to scratch and claw you to make you stop.

​Many cats don’t like having their tail touched in any circumstances so this is another area that should never be tickled.

Always make sure that you pay close attention to your cat’s reaction and don’t continue to touch them if they appear uncomfortable or unhappy with your actions.

FINAL THOUGHTS

All cats are ticklish but they don’t all enjoy the sensation of being tickled. If you want to tickle your cat, you should pay close attention to their reactions and stop immediately if they seem agitated or in distress.

​Only tickle them for a short time so they don’t get overstimulated and keep your tickles light. The head and paws are good areas for being tickled but you should always avoid tickling their stomachs and tails.

We hope that the information and tips in this article will help you tickle your cat in a way that they enjoy and keeps them happy.