June 4 is National Hug Your Cat Day, but I would suggest that you don’t hug your cat, at least not without consent.

Every cat is different. Some love to be picked and hugged, but not all cats appreciate a hug, or being picked up. Some cats are willing to tolerate being hugged for a short time, but may feel trapped and out of control. In order to avoid any discomfort for your cat, as well as the risk of bites or scratches by a stressed cat, it is important to pay attention to your cat’s body language.

Cats are amazing communicators, but they do so subtly. They use body language cues that are not always obvious. Your cat may tell you gently “I’ve had enough of being held” or “I don’t want to be pet anymore”, but if you don’t respond, they may need to resort to wriggling out or your arms, or worse, scratch or bite their way out.

A great resource for understanding cat body language is available in this chart from the Indoor Pet Initiative at the Ohio State University. Some highlights from the chart you can pay attention to when interacting with your cat include:

• Tail - a twitching tail is a telltale sign of an alert or anxious cat

• Ears - ears erected to the front or back, or partially flattened

• Eyes - wide open with dilated pupils

• Whiskers - slightly forward

These signs indicate that your cat may become anxious, stressed, or overstimulated. However, some cats will not display all of the signs. Understanding these signs and reacting accordingly will help you and your cat build strong communication, and a strong and lasting bond.