Cat question

[MuseRider]

Hi cat lovers. I have 3 "barn" cats at my farm. They actually have the run of the farm and I keep their food inside in the air conditioning or heat so they are really spoiled barn cats. I had 4, they all showed up together as babies with 4 inch tails. They are so cute. The one female disappeared about 2 years ago. Anyway, the question. One of them is really friendly, in my way, in my lap, very vocal. The other two will tolerate a small amout of petting but could really care less. Anyway, the really friendly one sits with me while I rub and scratch him and after a few minutes he starts to lick me and will continue this forever. Why do they do this? I have never had cats before and this is a new behavior. I figure he is grooming me but it has become almost a routine thing and he really gets vocal if I don't take time out to sit with him. We follow my grooming with a quick game of "got your face." Thanks WP, he really gets into it and bats me around, claws in. So, what's up with this new behavior?

[huckleberry]

1. My cats do this too!

Especially my male cat. He jumps on the bed at night and then licks my hand and arm. The other night it was so funny, it tickled so much. I finally had to get him to stop.

I think they do this because they love their humans and want to groom them! I consider it a real compliment!

[Catshrink]

2. I'd say you've bonded.

They do that... all of a sudden, they decide they like you. He must have realized he can trust you, that you are the source of food and water, that you are his mom (or dad).

I have 5 cats, and two of them ignored me for a long time. Then, they decided they like me after all.

That's why we love our cats -- totally goofy, unpredictable, and lovable.

[classics]

3. Youre part of the pack.

They love ya!

[number9]

4. You are so lucky

mine thinks I'm a overgrown mouse that should be tortured and then eaten. He loves me though - I know it - it's only a matter of time before he shows it.

[bahrbearian]

5. He loves ya

The cat I've got now shows affection by sticking her butt in my face while I type messages

[Catshrink]

6. I think that's called infantile something

I forgot the word. You're supposed to be her mom and groom her. Gross. Cats are gross. My younger cat still does that from time to time but he's mostly over it. I just give him a gentle shove when he acts that way. Luckily I have other cats who, oh, let's not go there.

[nuxvomica]

7. Do you work in a fish cannery?

I had to ask.

[MuseRider]

8. Nope

but it would make sense.

[MuseRider]

9. THANKS ALL

I kinda figured that was something of it but having been a dog person all my life I was not sure. I think it is sweet. When I was sleeping out there waiting for a foal this cat would go from attacking my toes to laying on my chest and licking me. He really is sweet. Boy did my feet get scratched up!

[inthecorneroverhere]

10. wild kitties often bond really tightly

I read somewhere that wild kitties will sometimes bond really tightly to one person. They love to cuddle and kiss. This is probably what has happened. Enjoy it! You're probably her one and only human!

Of the three cats I have, the two well-domesticated ones are hardly ever 'in my face.' The one that was born wild loves to get in my lap and cuddle. She's the same one that runs away from other people and hides. I've seen her wander off a long way down the road here (rural area). The two domesticated cats never wander that far, and they don't hide from other people.

[Throckmorton]

11. He/She is your major cat bud. You have been excepted into cat social circl

Its a major coup, enjoy it.