Cats perceive stroking as the same as being groomed by their mother's tongue as kittens.
Stroking can be used as a positive reinforcement for good behaviour.
Some cats will react unreliablty when being stroked for any length of time. The cat will settle with the owner and enjoy being stroked, but with no preawarning will suddenly lash out at the owner and then run off. This strange and erratic behaviour can be associated with the fact that the cat whilst enjoying the attention and feeling very relaxed suddenly becomes aware of its vulnerabilites and feels exposed and at threat. To regain control of the situation the cat will lash out and run off.
The reason for your cat's behaviour maybe due to an underlying medical reason. If you are concerned about your cat, always consult your vet or a cat behaviourist for professional, qualified advice.
|