When people see a cast, they often want to rush up and start petting it right away. That’s often a quick path to a blood hand and a scratched up arm. In case you don’t like the idea of multiple razor sharp claws ripping away your flesh, you might want to learn the right way to approach a cat.

First, stick your hand out and let the cat approach you. If the cat rubs against you, that’s usually a sign that it wants to be touched. Most cats enjoy being scratched behind the ears or under the chin. If a cat walks away, that means it doesn’t want to be touched by you, so don’t take it personally.

By learning how to approach a cat, you can ensure that you don’t get hurt. To learn how to approach a cat, click here.