can cats sense "not-so-nice" people?

[PoppadumPreach]

I'm having a lot of work done to the house so several workmen around.

On the first day the cat (who is a rescue, and who just wants, and gets, a lot of love) bolted the minute she heard one of the men talking. then kept clear of the house for the rest of the time he was around. He did not react to her in any way btw i.e. he did not try to pat her or acknowledge her in any way.

For a few days after that there were different workmen around and she was fine - keeps out there way but happy to be in same room as them.

Then the guy from day 1 comes back again and the same reaction - bolts.

I have to say I don't particularly warm to this guy though I'm being a bit unfair as i know nothing about him (other than he is a very poor timekeeper!).

But was just surprised about my cat's reaction and its consistency ie she ONLY responded in this way to the one guy.

so, as my title says - do you think cats can detect "not-so-nice" people?

no, cats can only tell whether they 'like' someone or not. it doesn't tell you anything about that person's personality when a cat runs from them. it only tells you that the cat prefers not to be around them. it could be for any of a million reasons. maybe he smells bad and being a cat she can smell it more than you can.

maybe he has a dog and the cat can smell it?

i guess i wondered as this was the only person ever to whom she has reacted in this way. she is a big-time people cat (including children) - just wants to be part of the crowd (though sometimes at a safe distance)

I am more of a dog person (in that I understand them more) and though i love cats (particularly my cat!) I don't quite get them! Was just looking for a more experienced "cat-person"'s view!

thanks!

Fanjo - not sure that's it as we have plenty of people round who also have dogs......

remember that cats are as individual as people. they have preferences just as we do. i have 3 cats, one is a kitten, she will run from my toddler but stays near me and my 6 year old. my middle cat will lie on my 6 year old's lap all day but runs from me and my toddler and my oldest cat lets all 3 of us fawn over him all the time. they each like different things.

My sil has cats. They like her. I do not.

@ fluffy

From what I understand, cats tend to go to people who don't like cats. They sit still and don't make threatening gestures - ie, they don't reach out to stroke the cat.
I have observed both of my cats make a beeline for FiL who loathes them. They are also fond of DH who is ambivalent.

Fluffy

I do realise cats are individuals; CatPoppadum likes to go for walks with us (in summer of course, not when it's cold). she also likes to be picked up and held like a baby (though only by me). she definitely prefers people who likes cats - she loves nothing more than to sit on the lap of a friendly person (ideally female) and get patted.

but i agree that she is probably not an evil-person-detector!

My Cats & my Parents Cats have reacted to certain people & yes they were arseholes -

my Parents was a classic - turned out to be a real con man, their very large Bengal Tom Cat sat on his paperwork & refused to budge, spitting & snarling if anyone tried, he left & they found out later what the guy was about.

My old Cat did similar, she used to HATE & act very aggressively to a friend of mine at the time - sometimes wouldn't even let him in the house - he stole from me

My parents had a business, cab office attached, but not paying rent & refusing to leave - court case etc - another Cat of mine, when left with my parents whilst I was travelling, went into the cab office & turned into a ball of spitting fury - my Dad heard the guy screaming for help & went in to find the Guy pinned up againstthe wall, holding up a chair to keep my Cat away

so in short - YES, IME they can & do

should of added, my old Cat also saw off burglers

My cat smacked my sil on the knee once, she made a sudden move and he whacked her and ran to hide.