Why Cats Seek Petting: The Whisker-Wagging Reason
Because cats regard humans as their "human mothers." When kittens are born, their mothers tirelessly groom them with their tongues. The act of humans petting a cat's fur feels strikingly similar to this motherly舔. To a kitten, the mother cat is a "feeder, cleaner, and protector."
Humans continue to pet cats long after they have outgrown their kitten stage, which is why domestic cats never fully mature psychologically. They may have grown physically and reached sexual maturity, but in the presence of humans, they retain the innocence of a kitten's heart;
Thus, cats (even the elderly ones) will repeatedly seek maternal affection from their human caregivers. They come close, gazing at them with hopeful eyes, longing for the human's hand to once again comb their fur like the mother cat's tongue used to.
When being petted, cats exhibit uniquely characteristic body movements, such as their tails stiffly standing up, as if greeting their "mom." This is a typical action of kittens who have truly experienced a mother's care;
Of course, cats may also display a desire for petting when they want food, a cuddle, or are in heat. It's important to interpret their requests based on the context to understand what they truly need.
