caress - pet - cuddle - tickle - fondle

[ophiuchus]

Hi,

I have a cat which/who loves being pampered. What he loves most is my caressing/petting him.

Could I use the relative who when I refer to my cat, who I love to bits and don't like treating as a thing?

What do you call a cat which is so affectionate? A cuddly cat?

As I understand caressing or petting is with the palm of your hand. However, what my cat really loves, is that I move my fingers around his belly, like in a tickling movement. Can you say I tickle my cat? Or is tickle used exclusively to make somebody laugh? Can you fondle a cat with that meaning?

As you can see, I'm really confused about this!

Thanks,

^..^

[SoothingDave]

I am not a teacher.

I would use "who."

"Affectionate" is a good word to describe a cat who likes to give and receive attention.

I think "petting" can cover any of the actions you describe, not just those where the palm of the hand is used. "Tickle" doesn't sound right to me.

"Fondle" is almost exclusively used for touching (usually unwanted) in a sexual way. I would avoid it. You rarely hear is used in a positive sense.

[freezeframe]

However, what my cat really loves, is that I move my fingers around his belly, like in a tickling movement. Can you say I tickle my cat? Or is tickle used exclusively to make somebody laugh? Can you fondle a cat with that meaning?

It's called a "belly rub".

And please, please don't say "fondle" when you're talking about your cat.

[ophiuchus]

Thank you both.

And I promise I won't fondle any cat!