Why would an unsociable cat allow me to pet it?

Is it normal for an unsociable cat to allow someone it doesn't know pet it?


Back in 2011, my mother was visiting with one of her friends in my home town and I had tagged along with her. While they talked, I had decided to wait out on the curb for them to catch up when a orange male tabby cat decided to come up to me and try to rub my hand.

Since my family had a cat of its own, it was a welcome distraction for me so I sat there petting him. My mother's friend had seen the cat do this and was shocked.

The cat, I don't remember his name unfortunately, was notorious for biting children and only allowed adults to pet him despite me petting him.

While I was not a 'child' but a teenager, this still made me nervous and thought "I'm going to get bit by this cat and he decided NOW to migrate to my LAP?!"

Luckily the cat was calm despite, I believe, being 'middle-aged' of six years and the myth I believed at the time that older cats are evil and pretend to be your friend just to bite you anyway. I know now that isn't the case but a series of factors due to age, social history, diet, etc.

But why would a cat with such a bad reputation allow me to pet him?

Comments for Why would an unsociable cat allow me to pet it?

Average Rating starstarstarstarstar

Click here to add your own comments

Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Because he's a cat...
by: Anonymous

He let you pet him because he FELT like letting you pet him. Cats are capricious, in that they change their mind and mood on a whim. Also, he could have sensed some "aura" you give off, or maybe a scent of yours, that he felt comfortable enough to approach you. Cats are not evil. That is just merde. Maybe he bit children because they friggin kicked him or threw rocks at him. If you were nice to him, and even had a nice "aura", then he would have no reason to bite you. I would, of course, not do anything to surprise him, like sudden movements, because that may set him off and he might bite from being suddenly shocked! Practice self-care until you truly know a cat and you won't get bit or scratched.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Children
by: Anonymous

Some cats, as kittens, were mistreated by young children and developed a dislike for them. As such, they will hiss, bite, etc. a child when they have an interest in the cat. The adults never mistreated the cat, while young, and so are acceptable to show the cat affection.

Hope this helps!

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Cat Questions.