My landlord's cat purrs when I pet it, then a second later hisses and tries to scratch me?

Question

...is there something wrong with the cat?

Answer 1

Sounds just like my cat Mr. Fuzzy. I ran across this a few weeks ago and believe this is what is wrong with my cat and sounds just like what may be wrong with your landlord's.

http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=1998

This disorder I read may cause the cat to be happy one minute you are petting it and hissing the next just like my cat does.

Answer 2

There are some cats out there that are like that. I'm not sure if it's that it doesn't want you to stop and acts out aggressively when you pull your hand away, or if its a matter of the cat honestly not liking what you are doing.

Cats purring does NOT always mean they are happy. They will purr when nervous and upset as well, so it may be that it is not enjoying itself.

The way I normally handled cats like this is just to give a pat on the head, or a scratch on the ears, then leave it alone. Just like people, they are each different and have their own issues. If you're around it frequently, those little pats may win you a little more time.

Answer 3

Nothing wrong with the cat. Many of them are very 'sensitive' or even anti-social and will only tolerate one or two strokes before reaching their touch threshhold and warning you off. The cat was probably purring as a greating.

It might be they way you are petting it, also. Cats differ in what kind of touch they enjoy. Some like the gentle top-of-the-head-down-the-back-off-the-tail pets and others only like the side of their neck/under their ears scritched. Ask your landlord what the cat enjoys.

The cat may also feel you don't know it/it doesn't know you well enough to be touching it. In that case, just acknowlege it by telling it what a beautiful cat it is, and leave it alone.

Answer 4

If you want to make friends with the cat ,sit down by her and talk softly. Tell her how pretty (or handsome) she is and tell her a little about how your day is going. The cat may want to come closer to you to smell and get to know you.

A switching tail or laid-back ears are signs that the cat does not care for your attentions. So you must back off and just observe.

She may have a "mission" on her outdoor excursion, a mouse near the garbage cans or some birds perching in a tree. So you are interrupting her day.

Some cats are quick to overstimulate, a little petting is enough for them. Or she may just be being polite and you are testing her manners.

Answer 5

I don't think so! I have a cat that loves attention but he is weird too!! He wants you to pet him but you have to be careful,he has stratched me before and he will bite you too! I think it's just how he is his personality or something! I think there is places on him that you can't pet or touch or he gets mad!! He comes up real friendly to you but you know to pet him carefully!! I was just sitting and holding him one time and all of a sudden he scracthed and bit me and for no reason, so i just figure i hit a spot he don't like and i have had him many years!! Thats just how he is!! I don't let the kids pet him either cause of it!

Answer 6

my friends cat does that lets you pet her one min and attacks you the next min easy way to solve it dont touch the landlords cat some cat are just plain phyco or pet it for a quick sec then dont touch it again or when it hissess hurry up and move your hand or were gloves when u pet it

Answer 7

One of my cats does this to my roommate all the time. I figure he either has a short memory or he's psychotic.

Answer 8

This is the best way to put it...cats are like women,neither are ever understood.lol!!

Answer 9

Yeah...it's a cat. Some are like this. Weird little creatures aren't they!!!

Answer 10

All cats can be like that. They are less predictable than women.