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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:
Poppins2016 · 19/04/2022 21:16

@JorisBonson

I physically cannot walk past a cat without stroking it.
Ditto. If the cat is willing, I'll always stroke it. An old neighbour had a cat that I regarded as my gardening buddy, he was very handsome and would often ask for a stroke as I was going about my day. My own cats tolerated his presence surprisingly well! In my current neighbourhood, I have a few cats I regularly say hello to.

I assume other people stroke my cats, although their tolerance/pursuit of affection varies greatly. I know one of mine has a regular napping spot in a (cat loving) neighbours garden.

TheZeppo · 19/04/2022 21:17

I have two beauties. They both like people to stroke them- but one detests being picked up. She’s very, very clear about it first though.

The got told last week that some fucker kicked my cat. Angry

Stay the fuck away from them if you can’t read their signals.

100problems · 19/04/2022 21:17

I have two cats. One would graciously allow himself to be stroked, should a passerby be in need. The other, whilst liking like butter wouldn't melt, would take exception and your hand off.

I cannot speak for them, they are cats and utterly able to discern who is and who is not worthy that particular moment of their attention.

I miaow at all cats whenever I see them given it is an international greeting that they appreciate.

Chikapu · 19/04/2022 21:21

Petting random cats is one of lifes great joys.

Dontknownow86 · 19/04/2022 21:25

My cat will cuddle any living person and I've seen next doors little boy walking around cuddling him with his legs dangling and he seems totally unbothered.

I'm also quite sure he probably tells other people he's being starved despite being fed really high quality, expensive food.

I don't mind the cuddling at all, I'd prefer it if people didn't feed him!

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 19/04/2022 21:26

@TheZeppo

I have two beauties. They both like people to stroke them- but one detests being picked up. She’s very, very clear about it first though.

The got told last week that some fucker kicked my cat. Angry

Stay the fuck away from them if you can’t read their signals.

Sadly this is one of the reasons why I can't bring myself to let my cats outside Sad I just can't trust people to do the right thing and to behave properly around them.

They're all black too which doesn't help.

caringcarer · 19/04/2022 21:29

One of my cats like to stand on driveway every morning when children are going to school and I see several children from our cul des sac who have to walk past stroking him on their way to school. Once a child of about 7 knocked on my door and asked if my cat could come out to play with her. My other cat is shy and won't go near strangers. Cats will decide for themselves who can stroke them. I do worry my boy is so friendly someone might steal him.

Original poster
Giraffesandbottoms · 19/04/2022 21:29

@fairylightsandwaxmelts

Why does them being black matter?

OP posts:
Red2017 · 19/04/2022 21:31

I always stroke random cats that want to be stroked. Honestly brings me so much joy. There are lovely little creatures.

Akite · 19/04/2022 21:36

Cats are just the best pets. They are so very very different to having a dog. I love the independence and the aloofness and how haughty they can be. It makes the cuddles and purrs all the more precious.

I ALWAYS stop to chat to or fuss random cats, it’s a real treat if they let you scratch their head! We have two cats and one is very timid and runs away from everyone but the other is an attention-hoover and goes and loudly shouts at people to get them to adore him a bit more. When we have had decorators/plumbers etc in the house I have found them half way through the day with the cat perched on their shoulder supervising them.
My FIL is allergic to cats but loves them and it’s such a pleasure for him to find a random cat to chat to on a walk.

Leftbutcameback · 19/04/2022 21:37

Saying hello to friendly cats makes my lunch walks so much better! There's even a Twitter account for it - the Cat Reviewer

Veol · 19/04/2022 21:40

It is entirely up to the cat. That is the thing about cats.

DieSchottin93 · 19/04/2022 21:40

Our cat is very skittish and spends approx. 100 hours in his bed a day Grin Grin so he'd run away if someone tried to pet him. I love it when friendly cats come over and let me pet them Smile

SparklyLeprechaun · 19/04/2022 21:40

You're more than welcome to pet my cat, he loves the attention. Now my late tom would have torn your hand to shreds, but that's a risk you have to take.

Philisophigal · 19/04/2022 21:41

This reply has been deleted

This has been withdrawn at the user's request.

dgall12 · 19/04/2022 21:41

One of my cats goes out to the park to get stroked by other people, she's been seen by our neighbours. She's also pretty good at hanging around on the corner near a primary school at around 3:30. She loves the attention, it would be impossible to stop it even if we wanted to (which we don't)

Teenagehorrorbag · 19/04/2022 21:43

Cats will choose if they want to be stroked. If they do, then I'm happy for anyone to make a fuss of mine - although one wouldn't go near a stranger anyway.

I did once have a little blind cat who sat outside my house every day on the wall by the main road, and waited for all the passing schoolkids to pet her. One day she vanished. I put signs up and the local shop said someone had gone in there to ask as they had taken her thinking she was a stray! She wore a flea collar so hardly looked feral - although she was a runt and a bit scrawny. Anyway they brought her back so no harm done...Smile.

But apart from that I have never actively worried about other people 'touching' my cats......Grin.

TroysMammy · 19/04/2022 21:44

My cat doesn't "go" to anyone except my niece. He views neighbours he knows with suspicion and a wide berth. However he did let one neighbour pet him and that was only because it was his best friend's owner. His best friend moved away last year so that doesn't happen anymore.

twocatsandtwokids · 19/04/2022 21:46

Have never thought about it! Surely a cat is in control of who pets it if out and about? Many random cats just run off if approached, problem solved 🤷‍♀️ Wouldn’t mind at all if passers by wanted to pet my cats… but I don’t think they’d have much luck!

Rubyroseyposey · 19/04/2022 21:47

I always pet random cats. I have 2, one is very timid and runs from people but my other one let's people stroke him. Can hardly see an issue?

Dunnoburt · 19/04/2022 21:48

Nothing sadder than a house cat.... (sorry.).... My "cat flap" cat is 18 and i will happily let anyone who wants to, pet her...... Another thing I love about cats is that everything is on their terms!....she doesnt have to come home to me, she has no lead... but she does!..... The cat chooses the owner! (and yes.... Its normally cupboard love! 🤣🤣)..... I always want to pet cats i see in the street.... If your intentions are good then I have no problem!

purpleme12 · 19/04/2022 21:48

Of course it's fair game
I am delighted by every cat I meet and pet every one I meet
If I let my cat out I would be so proud of my cat if someone liked him

Teenagehorrorbag · 19/04/2022 21:48

Also - out local Tesco superstore has a resident ginger and white cat. He's very large and furry and handsome, and likes to curl up on top of the bags of compost in the covered area just outside the main door. I do worry about all the cars but what can you do?

His name tag says something along the lines of 'I don't live here but I love to spend time at Tesco, Please don't worry about me'....Grin

Willow1981 · 19/04/2022 21:49

The only time I don't pet a random cat is if my cat is watching!

Dameputtingonabraveface · 19/04/2022 21:50

Cats belong to themselves. A friendly cat who wants to be stroked and admired should not be ignored! There is a cat in my house who turned up in our garden in 2015 and no chip etc. We adore her, feed her, pay vet bills etc but we are under no illusion that we own her- she owns us! We are currently being shouted at for going away for 2 weeks and she is playing us off against each other. DD has turned her electric blanket on which is an underhand move to make sure she has the fluffy tabby snuggled on her bed.

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