Approach slowly and calmly
Let the cat see and sniff your hand first
Pet under the chin or on the cheeks
Use gentle, light strokes
Follow the cat’s body language
Stop if the cat pulls away, tenses up, or swats
Avoid touching the belly unless the cat invites it
Avoid grabbing, squeezing, or patting too hard
Keep sessions short if the cat seems overstimulated
Wash your hands before and after if needed