How to get on good terms with a cat

[question everything]

(snip)

So, what’s my secret to getting a cat’s attention and trust? Play hard to get.

That’s right. Ignoring a cat is the quickest way to gain its interest and display your expert-level knowledge of feline etiquette.

Dr. Wailani Sung, a veterinary behaviorist at San Francisco SPCA, explains why. She says that while cats are predators of small creatures, they are also prey to larger predators. To protect themselves, they prefer to wait and watch when strangers enter their territory.

“They like to take a step back and assess the newcomer to determine if the person exhibits any threatening body language toward them,” she says.

Feline body language is subtle. While humans consider a direct glance an indication of polite interest, in “felinese” it’s an act of aggression. Reaching toward a cat can seem threatening.

(snip)

Cats that decide to be friendly may rub your finger with their cheek. If a cat allows you to pet him, stroke the side of the face, beneath the chin or along the side. Those are the areas cats focus on when they interact physically, greeting each other with nose touches and rubbing with the sides of the face and body. Cats that are still unsure about you may pull back or, if they’re especially uncomfortable, hiss before moving away. Give them more time.

With an especially reluctant cat, it’s rarely a bad idea to offer treats to gain favor, but keep a polite distance. Cats that decide to be friendly may rub your finger with their cheek. If a cat allows you to pet him, stroke the side of the face, beneath the chin or along the side. Those are the areas cats focus on when they interact physically, greeting each other with nose touches and rubbing with the sides of the face and body. Cats that are still unsure about you may pull back or, if they’re especially uncomfortable, hiss before moving away. Give them more time.

More..

http://www.startribune.com/how-to-get-on-good-terms-with-a-cat/502788622/

[spooky3]

1. These stories always make me laugh. People are just speculating about

what cats are "thinking."

And there are huge individual differences. While many cats are fearful of and uninterested in strangers even when in familiar surroundings with their humans, other cats like attention from anyone who enters the house.

[rusty quoin]

6. Yeah, people cats. I've had them and really liked them.

And then there were the others. The ones that bite you. I just figure that cats are still trying to make us out, and it should be amazing not to them, but to us that we have given them so much room trying to accept us humans.

We figured out dogs, but not cats. I don’t know if I want to truly understand cats. They have a mystery along with an understanding and trust. I like that.

[radical noodle]

2. My cats always go for the people

who don't like cats or have allergies to them. It's as though they know.

[More_Cowbell]

3. My vet thinks it's because those people don't look at cats.

He has the same theory as the article, that cats "think" that staring is just rude. If someone enters their space and doesn't even look at them, or looks once and then quickly averts their gaze (the way people who don't like cats do) or keeps their distance (like people with allergies) the cat thinks, according to my vet, that "that is the most civilized person in the room. I should get to know that person."

It does seem funny how often cats seem to cozy up to non-cat-people!

[radical noodle]

9. I've had cats most of my life

I think your vet's theory makes sense.

[spooky3]

11. I've had two (probably) Turkish Angora mixes who

LOVE to be stared at and pester you until they get attention. They were the only cats I had that did that.

[pnwmom]

4. Which explains why I, the allergic visitor with zero interest, always ends up

with a purring cat in my lap or rubbing against my legs.

[question everything]

7. That's funny. Sorry

[pnwmom]

8. I agree, it is funny. I guess I should go chasing after them from now on

and then maybe they'll leave me alone!

[grantcart]

5. Ignore them like when you sleep

They will jump on you at 5 am to show they accept you.

[2naSalit]

10. they are predators after all

and from a behavioral perspective, they are likely to avoid and be unsure of someone who acts like another predator showing interest in them. Other than that, all things "cat" apply.