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Original poster

A question for all cat owners (it’s not about poo)

193 replies

Giraffesandbottoms · 19/04/2022 20:25

On the thread re feeding horses, a poster said that all cat owners accept if their cat is an outdoor pet, if it approaches someone it’s fine to pet them. Is this true? I’m now extremely curious about this - it would never occur to me to just pet a random cat I saw. Would you not mind as the owner if everyone was petting your cat? is it "fair game" if it is let out?

OP posts:
AllThingsServeTheBeam · 19/04/2022 20:26

Course I expect people to stroke my cats when they're out and about. If they go up to people that is. One of mine is found in neighbours houses more than our own, so it would be unreasonable of me to not let them stroke him too!!

XenoBitch · 19/04/2022 20:26

If you have issue with people petting your cat, then keep it indoors. I can not imagine anyone who would get funny about it tbh.
There is something special about greeting a strange cat on your walk, and having a little moggy fuss.

Freda999 · 19/04/2022 20:27

I always pet random cats. It would be rude not to. I let them come to me though.

AwkwardPaws27 · 19/04/2022 20:27

If the cat wants to be pet, it'll allow it. You've got no chance of petting a cat that doesn't want to be fussed, so I'm fine with it.
I discourage my cats from going out the front of the house though, but that's because of cars rather than people stroking them.

NeverDropYourMooncup · 19/04/2022 20:27

Yes. Because stroking the head of a cat determined for affection isn't the same as potentially killing a horse.

Original poster
Giraffesandbottoms · 19/04/2022 20:27

I am honestly amazed by this (c)attitude

OP posts:
slashlover · 19/04/2022 20:28

A random cat letting me pet them is the highlight of my day sometimes. I do the pspspspsps and the slow blink,.

Branleuse · 19/04/2022 20:28

I stroke other peoples cats and im pretty sure one of my cats has a bit of a fan club

Original poster
Giraffesandbottoms · 19/04/2022 20:29

@NeverDropYourMooncup

The horse thread changed from feeding horses to petting horses that seem to want attention. Someone said about cats. I didn’t realise that was a thing

OP posts:
mopjig · 19/04/2022 20:29

I don't think my cat would let anyone stroke him, but I don't think I'd be bothered if he did. What's your issue?

SpaIssues · 19/04/2022 20:29

If I see a cat and it offers me strokes then you better believe I'm stroking it.

I often see my (tart of a) cat rolling around on our driveway so the neighbours will give it fuss.

Makes me smile. It's nice for the cat and the person.

XenoBitch · 19/04/2022 20:30

OP, have you never pet a random cat? Maybe give it a try. It will lift your spirits.
That is if the cat is up for it. I feel upset when I try to get a cat's attention and it fucks off.

Hugasauras · 19/04/2022 20:31

We have quite a few friendly cats in our neighbourhood that come over for a stroke. My DD is always delighted! Petting doesn't cause any damage, surely? Whereas feeding someone else's pet certainly can.

I'd be happy for someone to stroke our cat if she was out and about, and she'd be delighted with it too. She loves a fuss Grin

ShinyMe · 19/04/2022 20:32

My cat is an attention seeking cuddle monster! He likes nothing better than running outside around the time the local primary school lets out, and the kids are walking past. He waddles out into the pavement and rolls around on his back begging for tummy rubs.

JorisBonson · 19/04/2022 20:33

I physically cannot walk past a cat without stroking it.

Original poster
Giraffesandbottoms · 19/04/2022 20:33

@mopjig

There’s no issue, I’m just a dog owner and in the dog world you don’t pet a dog
Without asking.

@XenoBitch
I have not! I didn’t realise this was
fine with the owners and do not want to get
bitten/scratched. there is a cat who
sits outside
my son's nursery and
attacks people, if that counts 😃

OP posts:
floofycroissant · 19/04/2022 20:35

DCat doesn't really give strangers a choice. If he wants pets he'll make it very clear, I often hear him yelling at neighbors and the like.

80sballetgirl · 19/04/2022 20:35

My cat is well known in the area & loves a fuss - from anyone!! When I go out she’s straight round to see her favourite neighbour demanding fuss, Dreamies & declaring she’s been abandoned!! 😂

If I see a cat I will go out of my way to say hello & stroke them!

JellyfishandShells · 19/04/2022 20:36

Just try getting past Alfie the cat 4 houses down without at least a short acknowledgement, full stroking if you have time.

pigsDOfly · 19/04/2022 20:36

I used to have two cats who are, sadly no longer alive, but in all honesty it would not have bothered me one bit if people stroked them and petted them.

If the cats are out and about and it gives someone pleasure to interact with them, why not? As long as they're being kind and gentle with them.

Obviously, I would have felt completely different about the situation if people tried to take them home with them or fed them.

I also have a dog who is always willing to be stroked by all and sundry, again, I'm more than happy for people to fuss over her as long as they don't try to feed her treats.

FlibbertyGibbitt · 19/04/2022 20:36

@JorisBonson

I physically cannot walk past a cat without stroking it.
Me too. All cats need to be worshipped.

.

Unsureaboutit9 · 19/04/2022 20:37

Just like with everything else with my cat, it’s not up to me. If he wants to let strangers pet him he will pursue them and allow petting. If he doesn’t he will scowl and run a mile from anyone who approaches. The cat makes the choice. I’d never think it was strange if I saw someone stroking him, and if a cat lets me I will stroke it! I didn’t see the horse one either, but I’m sure it must be the same, I’d the horse doesn’t want petting it will just move away. I’d obviously never consider feeding anyone else’s animal though.

Fivecluckyhens · 19/04/2022 20:37

When I was a child I had two cats that would wait at the top of the drive to be petted by children walking home from school.

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 19/04/2022 20:37

I suspect this is about what I said Grin

But as I said on the other thread, if you let your cat out to roam, then you are accepting that there are certain risks involved, and that includes the fact that people will try and stroke your cat.

If you want to keep your cat 100% safe, keep them indoors or cat-proof your garden 🤷🏻‍♀️ the same goes for any animal.

Cats who roam are at risk of all sorts of things:

  • being hit by cars
  • being approached by strangers
  • getting trapped in outbuildings or garages
  • getting fed things that are bad for them
  • getting into other people's homes
  • accidentally eating or drinking things that are toxic to them

etc etc. Don't let your cat out to roam if you want (or need for medical reasons) to control everything that happens to them.

WhatsitWiggle · 19/04/2022 20:38

If I'm on a walk and a random cat runs up to me miaowing, I'm totally petting it.

Our cat is generally quite wary of people but she's a sucker for older female children (so about 7 up) and will happily stroll over for a chin rub if they stop. Doesn't bother me, as long as she comes home for her tea!