Management in this case requires not exceeding the cat's threshold for being petted. If the threshold is very low, then don't pet the cat at all temporarily.

Some cats will tolerate being petted only on the head, so the petting could be restricted to that part of the body. Management can also involve educating owners about the warning signs the cat displays that indicate he is approaching his limit for petting. When any of these signs are observed, the owner should stop petting the cat at once.

The signs include:

• Twitching of the tail just at the tip or swishing of the entire tail very deliberately
• Eyes dilating
• Restlessness
• Intention movements, or quick turns of the head toward the owner's hand
• Rapid changes in ear carriage, from the neutral, forward position to either flattening to the side or rotating the backs of the ears forward

Many times, the cat becomes more affectionate in other ways if the owner does not pet him too much. The cat may feel more comfortable just sitting next to the person.