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

[Giraffesandbottoms]

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?

I taught my DCs never to touch other peoples animals. Cats in the street a definite no.
I’ve had cats since I was 3 years old, therefore, my own DCs have never known a life without kittens/cats so we are cat people.
When I was about 4/5yrs old I stroked a cat in my front garden and it ripped my arm apart, biting, scratching and scutting with its back legs/claws.
I had deep gouges all up my arm all clogged with cat hair.

I love to see cats about and I'm the crazy lunatic that talks to them. My OH is always having to wait, usually eye rolling while I'm chatting to/ petting a random cat!
I would have been like a proud mum if I'd seen strangers stroking my cat! On my way to work I check a few windows to see if the resident cats are there and greet them as I pass.

Why on earth would I mind if someone else stroked my cat?

I stroke every cat I see, I will stop whatever I am doing to make kissy noises and ‘psss psss psss’ until it comes for a stroke. I tell it how beautiful it is and what a nice cat it is. I can’t imagine anyone getting annoyed about it (they might think I am a loser though )

I’d agree with the “stroke and a head scratch but no picking up” thing. Mind you, there was a cat I used to live near who would leap up onto your shoulders given half a chance, but that’s the cat’s choice. Lots of cats dislike being picked up so I just wouldn’t risk a disemboweling. I’ve never met a cat who didn’t enjoy a scratch of the head though, once they’ve sniffed your hand and checked you out.

Some cats will approach humans meowing to be petted. Mine is a bit skittish and will keep his distance glaring haughtily

@pinkstripeycat

That’s my feeling re cats from my point of view but I wanted to know what the owners thought. Also ouch…

@Triffid1

Pretty spot on, that caption 😆

If I was looking outside and someone was petting my cat I would think how lovely it was for my cat to have found a friend. Picking up would feel quite odd, but if the human looked like they needed a cuddle for a minute I'd probably leave them to it 😂

Well I would never pick up a strange cat as I’d expect to get an armful of claws. Stroking is entirely different, as a general rule a cat will approach you if they want to be made a fuss of, and if they don’t, then they run away. I know some people have mentioned aggressive cats but generally I think cats only swipe if you do something daft, like a child trying to hold onto their tail or paws or going to stroke the tummy of an unfamiliar cat.

My cats wouldn't let a stranger get near enough, but I pat random cats when I'm out. Some cats love it and will come up to strangers and rub around their legs. I find it strange that you are amazed by it OP - I see people patting cats on the street all the time.

My cats are indoors so no chance of random people. One of them will not leave you alone until he's had sufficient tummy tickles be it friend, family or workmen.

I'd be very offended if people weren't friendly and giving them a good pet when they come over.

There is a giant fluffy cat that lives next door to my kids school. He comes into the school, has a snooze in the classrooms, eats leftovers from lunch, all the kids love him. Cats are the best.

Is this the best AIBU thread ever?!?! 😸😸

Totally normal to pet random cats (good luck to anyone trying to pet my one, though) and also to stop for a quick chat (that could just be me, though!)

the neighbours cat will not let me pet her.. there is however a local cat that is THE biggest fusspot and i have to physically stop him from following me into the house.. he will take ALL the fuss.

A cat that doesn't want to be pet, won't come near.. so if a cat is inviting pets, take your fill and enjoy the warm fuzzies it gives you.

My neighbours cats used to come visit me all the time I went for a nap one day left my door open woke up surrounded by napping cats NONE of them mine they also used to visit me shopping day and wait at the front door for a bit of meat the taxi driver thought they were mine I said no mine are in the house 🤣

Friendly cats will do this most won't but my house had more of a friendly open door vibe because my boss cat loved having friends over to play

My cats are indoor cats but I always pet random cats if they come up to me

Thing is, cats are different from dogs and horses. You don't pet other people's dogs without the owners permission partly to protect yourself from an aggressive dog, but also to protect nervous dogs from you. Petting a strange horse can put you at risk of injury from a bargy horse who sees humans as a sort of vending machine dispensing treats if the right button is pushed/nipped or a horse who is startled by something else and just happens to jump on/through you. It can also put the horse at risk of injury from other horses in the field if they get jealous. Cats are much more solitary animals and those that let you stroke them tend to be those who actively approach you.

I wouldn't pick up a strange cat but would stroke one. There's one on the walk to nursery, comes bounding over to DS every time, winds itself around his legs purring and lifting its head until DS strokes it. Cars let you know very clearly of they want to interact. Our cat wouldn't go within 100m of a random passer by. I'd never feed someone else's animal though.

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

Buying something???? I've never bought a cat in my life - and I've had dozens of them over the years.

My cat is normally found in the primary school playground opposite, like the pied piper with about 6 kids following her round. I also opened the door the other day to the bloke doing the drains across the road and she was rubbing round his legs. She's a tart, doesn't like me much though! Has no gratitude that I rescued her 😂

I recently found out that are usually nervous of everything cat will happily just go and sit on our neighbours lap for fuss and cuddles in his garden! I’ve told them if they don’t want her in the garden to shoo her away but they chuffed as they don’t have pets so happily to give her a little fuss. The other cat would if she wasn’t to old (& lazy) make it out the garden let people fuss her. As long as no one hurting them or bothered by them you can’t really control an outdoor cat.
She was a rescue cat that was a house cat so only still uses a litter tray so i know she not going into their garden to use it as a toilet.

I know some people have mentioned aggressive cats but generally I think cats only swipe if you do something daft, like a child trying to hold onto their tail or paws or going to stroke the tummy of an unfamiliar cat

Unfortunately some cats will get aggressive before you even stroke them - mine is one of them lol. He was abused in his previous home and will lash out if he's scared - even if you just walk past him or hold your hand out for him to sniff.

By lash out I don't just mean a smack with a paw, he'll hiss, growl and then a micro-second later, he'll bite/scratch and latch on without giving you a chance to move.

So he stays indoors where he can't maul random, well-intentioned passers by

I find it strange that you are amazed by it OP - I see people patting cats on the street all the time

I have never, ever seen this. But then perhaps I have not been attune to it - now I will be aware and see how many cats I see petted 😃

@MrsSaltshaker

Thank you, I am enjoying all the tales of haughty, naughty and cuddly cats.

I told my kids when they were little to put their hand out and let the cat come over and sniff it first before trying to stroke them - and not to follow cats, if they are walking away they don’t want to be stroked, DON’T chase them.

i knew this meme had a purrpose

I have an indoor cat . I’d love to have the trust in people that they’d all be kind