HOW TO PET A CAT

 flattening, or her fur rippling, then you want to back off and give her some space. If you don't, it won't be long before you're swatted or scratched.

If a cat moves away from you, don't chase her down for more pets. Of course, there are always exceptions. Some extra friendly cats that you're close to will actually move away from you a little and want you to come after them or gently squeeze them and pull them closer. But you'll know this is their preference because they'll encouragingly purr when you approach and keep their tails held high. An upright tail is a sign of a happy cat that enjoys being petted.

Cats with extra energy might even take your pet as an invitation to play. If your cat starts to bite at your hand softly or tries to grab it with her paws while you're petting her, stop your movements. Give her a chance to release your hand, then transition into playing with her instead. Get a catnip toy or

 a feather wand and help her expend all that excess energy. If you ignore the signs and keep petting her, she might end up scratching you simply because she's feeling playful and forgot the power of her claws.

Try Calming Products

If your cat is stressed, Comfort Zone calming products can help. These products help cats manage stress by focusing on their "e-meow-tional" health. They release vapors that mimic a cat's natural pheromones, letting him know everything's okay. Try plugging the Comfort Zone Calming Diffuser into the rooms where your cat spends the most time. You might choose to put a Comfort Zone Calming Collar on your cat, so the calming signals are with him wherever he goes.

Learning how to pet a cat is all about being patient and studying your cat's body language. If you let him make the first move and pet him slowly and gently, he may be cuddling up to you for even more pets soon.