Hi! So what's the best way to go about introducing oneself to a cat. I have more experience with dogs, so I've been offering my hand to sniff as a start, and so far I've been ok, mostly because my friend's cat is pretty chill, but is there a way I'm less prone to scratches?
Meow meow!
Offering your scent is actually the most important part!
It's important to watch their body language while you're approaching them though! If they get all tense, maybe you should come back later when they're in a better mood or more used to you! If their ears start to lower, then you DEFINITELY should back off!
Here's a good tutorial on saying nice things to cats! I know he looks a little silly, but I promise he's legit! Once you can learn how to gauge how a cat feels about the situation, you won't always have to use all of these with the less nervous ones, but until then, it's better safe than sorry!
If you know the cat is perpetually nervous but not violent, it might also help to turn your eyes completely away and put your hand not necessarily in their face, but a few inches away. It helps a cat relax when they're not being watched! Some of us just get a little bit of stage fright! But it's definitely better to try to communicate that you mean no harm.
It's also really important to remember not to bring your hand down on their face! I mean, would you want something the size of your head coming down out of the sky towards your eyes and mouth and nose at what is probably an alarmingly fast rate?? If they're rubbing on your leg or something, it's okay to come down on their neck or shoulders or back or behind their ears, but it's probably a little too much to have your hand swooping down on their face! Try bringing your hand in from the side instead. I promise it makes a huge difference!
