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?

Yes cats are petted when they're out & about of course they are. Mine even goes to the neighbours & says hello, their cat also comes to visit us too, even popping in through the window when we're in the garden shed potting around. They're very sociable.
I also live around horses & it's common to pet them if they're hanging around the fences. I even look forward to seeing them & saying hi! All normal stuff.

I'm fine with people petting my cats (Good luck with that ).

Not so keen on them feeding them though.

I don't mind at all and if a random cat comes to me I'll stroke it. Feeding cats is another matter though. Stop trying to steal my moggy!

Fine with people petting them, I would like to see the fool that tries to pick either of them up though - they would be shredded

I pet cats that approach me and seem friendly. There's one that appears every time I'm out gardening and rubs himself on my legs and hands - what am I supposed to do, shoo him away? Hardly!

My current vat is indoor only by her own choice but our old boy before her spent most of his youth outdoors and we wouldn't have minded at all if strangers had stroked him.

I have a cat that loves people and one that tricks people into petting her by being cute and then all of a sudden she attacks.
I dont mind if people pet my cats, but its at your own risk

Our most beautiful, loved cat died a year ago. We still miss her so much. I always speak to cats that I pass and any that come to be stroked are petted. They dont come over if they dont want to.

@Giraffesandbottoms

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

Mine will let you cuddle him all day. Give him a chin scratch and some kisses and he won't leave He's never scratched me in his life (except for by accident and he cried for an hour after that, I had to beg him to come out from under the bed)

I'm happy for people to give my cats a cuddle and I know they both love the attention! Feeding them however... no.

@Branleuse

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

Me too. Most of our cats have been quite tarty about being stroked.

My cat throws himself in front of passing strangers, I often overhear a big load of cat loving going on, with high pitched “aren’t you beautiful” and “puss puss”. I’m not jealous, obvs

[quote Giraffesandbottoms]@fairylightsandwaxmelts

Why does them being black matter?[/quote]
Because unfortunately many people target black cats as they still believe they're unlucky @Giraffesandbottoms - especially around Halloween and Bonfire Night. There are warnings out out every year to keep your black cats inside.

It also means they're less visible on the roads and our house backs on to a NSL road with no street lights.

I pet random dogs that run up to me... it happens.

Yeah my black cat doesn't go out around Halloween despite his complaining
Windows firmly shut bonfire season as I've had a firework thrown in before. He likes watching them though, little vampire weirdo

My cat loves being petted and is very affection. He would love you to stroke him and I'd be delighted he'd made you smile (hopefully). However you would get very fluffy clothes as a result!

@BoristalkedaboutBruno22

My cat throws himself in front of passing strangers, I often overhear a big load of cat loving going on, with high pitched “aren’t you beautiful” and “puss puss”. I’m not jealous, obvs

🤣

@MrOllivander

Yeah my black cat doesn't go out around Halloween despite his complaining Windows firmly shut bonfire season as I've had a firework thrown in before. He likes watching them though, little vampire weirdo

Mine all love fireworks too

But yeah I just don't trust people to be nice to them - so many cats die on the roads here and the majority are black unfortunately

They have access to our garden so they're not entirely inside but they don't go any further (we've cat proofed the fencing)

@XenoBitch

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.

I've never really thought about it. Hard to control what happens with your cat when they go out and something you have to accept if allow them to roam.

I've 3 cats and wouldn't be bothered if people were petting them. One of mine regular tries to go in our neighbours houses.

It's a great joy stroking a friendly random cat, especially if it chirrups too. My late cat used to sit on the garden wall at school leaving time to be stroked by school children.

My super friendly (and sadly missed) little boy used to come home smelling of unfamiliar perfume, aftershave etc. I think he was doing a daily round of the neighbours and giving out cuddles.

It’s just normal for people to stroke cats who come over to them isn’t it? I’d be pleased if someone made a fuss of my cat, although I’d be astounded if it happened in the street, as he tends not to approach people. He’s very sociable with us and people visiting the house, though!

@Willow1981

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

That kind of feels like cheating. I know my cat would not approve of me petting any other animals, so every time I pet another cat, I feel pleasure and guilt.

We moved to the middle of nowhere so she can have her freedom and be safe, but it’s on a regular walking route for locals and she seems to be getting friendly with a few people. I like to see her enjoy a fuss.

I do always try to remember to ask before petting a dog but the cat owner in me gets carried away by someone being so happy to see me.

My cat would run a mile if anyone went within 10 feet of her but I know lots of local cats who love to be petted. The trouble is they will then often follow you half way down the road or more demanding further attention!

I would definitely pick up or pet a cat should it allow me. I have been known many years ago to allow random cats into my flat when the door was open in summer (allow in that they came in and I didn't chase them out) but I wouldn't feed them. One of our Bengals used to sit on our front wall waiting to be admired and petted...he would pounce on people who walked past and ignored him. Current cat hates humans so no chance others are stroking him! I take the view if they are free to roam then they should be petted if they wish. No feeding though, that does irritate me when I hear of people feeding random cats!