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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:
nocoolnamesleft · 19/04/2022 20:39

It's completely up to the cat. If a random cat condescends to let me stroke them, I am honoured indeed.

TheLovleyChebbyMcGee · 19/04/2022 20:39

I will pet any cat that will have me!!

I have 3 cats, one is a regular on a lost/found Facebook page as 'too friendly to ge a stray, is he lost?'

No, he's just a chancer!!

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 19/04/2022 20:39

I have a cat who's allergic to tuna so he doesn't go outside. At the end of the day, he's my cat and I'm responsible for him (and for paying his vet bills when he's sick).

If I chose to let him out anyway, I couldn't rationally complain about him getting fed tuna elsewhere. My choice to let him out, my risk to take.

XenoBitch · 19/04/2022 20:40

[quote Giraffesandbottoms]@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 😃[/quote]
I can understand the hesitation if the cat is aggressive. There is a cat who comes into my garden a lot, and he is a total knob. Hisses at you, and will leap at you if you get to close. I send my dog out now if I see him.

There used to be a cat who lived at the bottom of my parent's road. It was a well used route home for the local secondary school, and the cat would sit on a wall and get all the fuss by all the passing school kids.
One day, my brother came home crying. He had claw marks on each temple, and a bite mark on his forehead. I think the cat had had enough!

caoraich · 19/04/2022 20:40

My cat loves a random patting. She sits outside my daughters nursery (staring in at her favourite person, who she is tragically separated from) and headbutts queuing parents / children/ delivery people for pats. My other cat prefers the building site nearby and I have come across her getting belly rubs from workmen.

I always say hello to random cats and give them a pat if they seem friendly

Watto1 · 19/04/2022 20:41

I’m fine with people stroking my cat. However, I was a bit surprised when a neighbour remarked that my cat didn’t like being picked up. No she doesn’t like being picked up and why the hell was he picking her up?!? Stroking a cat is fine but picking up someone’s cat is a step too far.

PukkaP · 19/04/2022 20:41

I wouldn't mind if someone stroked my cat and I would definitely stroke a random cat if it let me. I was late for work the other day because I missed the bus after stopping to stroke a cat. Well worth it. I love cats.

Original poster
Giraffesandbottoms · 19/04/2022 20:43

@fairylightsandwaxmelts

It is about what you said. I know nothing about cats and I was very curious to see if you were right and you are, pretty convincingly, re cat owners. This is all news to me

OP posts:
RightOnTheEdge · 19/04/2022 20:43

My cat would run away and wouldn't let a stranger stroke her, she's not really a wanderer but I don't think I'd mind if a stranger stroked her in the street if she liked it.

I love it when random cats come up and talk to me and let me have a pet. I do always worry about those friendly cats though, that they might one day meet someone who is cruel or some horrible kids that might hurt them. It makes me glad that my cat wouldn't do it just to keep herself safe.

I think people feeding other people's cats is a problem though. I've seen people on local Facebook groups asking that people stop feeding their cat because it's on a special diet or it's not coming home because it's been fed elsewhere.

Original poster
Giraffesandbottoms · 19/04/2022 20:44

@Watto1

Aha! A boundary. Stroking cats fine, picking up not. Interesting

OP posts:
fairylightsandwaxmelts · 19/04/2022 20:44

@Watto1

I’m fine with people stroking my cat. However, I was a bit surprised when a neighbour remarked that my cat didn’t like being picked up. No she doesn’t like being picked up and why the hell was he picking her up?!? Stroking a cat is fine but picking up someone’s cat is a step too far.
I wouldn't pick up a random cat, but equally isn't it a risk you take if you choose to let your cat go and roam out of your sight and your control?

I don't understand letting cats out to roam and then complaining because x, y and z annoying things have happened to them. Keep them at home if you don't want other people to go near them.

Helenahandkart · 19/04/2022 20:44

Stroking a cat is fine. You’re not hurting it. You might get a scratch from mine as he has a feisty side, and I would always advise a child to be careful stroking a cat but It’s very different from stroking a random and potentially dangerous dog.
Feeding someone else’s cat or dog or horse is an absolute no.
My cat loves attention from passers by, and I love stroking any cat I can get my hands on.

AnneElliott · 19/04/2022 20:46

One of my cats doesn't like being stoked and will swipe people with her paw if they try Blush. Sometimes I pretend she isn't mine!

But yes I expect people to stoke them if they're out the front. I don't like people following them onto my drive if they walk away from the strokes.

Unsureaboutit9 · 19/04/2022 20:46

OP will you be trying to pet a cat now that you’ve learnt this information? You’ve been missing out!

elenacampana · 19/04/2022 20:46

Nothing about my cat is up to me, he’s made it very clear that everything is on his terms so if someone wants to give him a stroke, they’ll have to take it up with him 😆

Moonface123 · 19/04/2022 20:47

My two hairballs park themselves outside on the street just as the children are going to school over the road, and again mid afternoon when children are walking back. They were most put out in lockdown when the streets were deserted for weeks on end.
The children line up to stroke them and often take photos on their phone, I 've never witnessed any bad behaviour around them, its nice that others seem to enjoy them as much as they do.

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 19/04/2022 20:48

[quote Giraffesandbottoms]@fairylightsandwaxmelts

It is about what you said. I know nothing about cats and I was very curious to see if you were right and you are, pretty convincingly, re cat owners. This is all news to me[/quote]
I thought so Grin

I have three cats - two have health issues and are kept inside.

The third is perfectly healthy but he's kept inside as he's incredibly nervous of strangers and I wouldn't want to put him in a situation where he felt scared and lashed out due to fear - he wouldn't just hiss either, he would growl, bite and scratch if he felt threatened so it's safer for everyone to keep him inside, lol.

IwaswhoIam · 19/04/2022 20:50

I expect every stranger admiring my cat to pet him 😂 ! I sometimes watch from a distance and silently scream LOVE MY CAT

And yes , I pet strange cats .

SiobhanSharpe · 19/04/2022 20:51

I love it when a friendly moggie comes up for a head scratch or three. Makes my day.

JaceLancs · 19/04/2022 20:52

One of my Dcats has a local fan club as he’s so affectionate and wants to be fussed by everyone
The other would just be spooked and run off and will only take affection from those in our own household when she’s in the mood

CrystalCoco · 19/04/2022 20:53

@PukkaP

I wouldn't mind if someone stroked my cat and I would definitely stroke a random cat if it let me. I was late for work the other day because I missed the bus after stopping to stroke a cat. Well worth it. I love cats.
Aw I love this post Flowers I'd happily be late for anything to stop and pet a cat, I can't resist their furry little faces! And another yes from me OP, more than fine to pet my fur-face in the street if he approaches looking for some love
Triffid1 · 19/04/2022 20:55

I am deeply suspicious of anyone who can walk past my fat ginger cat sunning himself without wanting to pet him. But he's aloof and stays enough in the front garden so very few people actually manage to pet him.

Our last cat on the other hand... he went missing once. It was very entertaining (after he came back and we weren't stressed any more) to discover how many people knew him and regularly enjoyed a little cuddle!

Original poster
Giraffesandbottoms · 19/04/2022 20:56

I have really learnt something here. Mostly that cat people are very much a like minded community, but I thought you were all crazy anyway for buying something that lets you stroke it and then suddenly swats at you when it’s finished receiving petting 😃 I’m unlikely to try to stroke a cat but I am pleased to know it would be agreeable
To the owner if I did! Thanks everyone

OP posts:
fantasmasgoria1 · 19/04/2022 20:56

My cat may or may not depending on mood allow a stranger to stroke her. It is at their own risk as she might decide to swipe them. She is likely to scratch if they try to pick her up.

Triffid1 · 19/04/2022 20:59

OP, I think this one is for you.....

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