Hi,
I am taking care of my neighbor's two cats while they are on vacation. One of them always meows and comes towards me, but know do I know if she is friendly or not? She sounds nice, but I have had a bad experience with a cat once and just want to know what people think. Thanks
2007-08-14 09:35:01 · 10 answers · asked by crescent201092 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
The distinction here would be if the cat is meowing or hissing at you. A meow is a way to get your attention, and as long as she is not being aggressive when she approaches, it's usually a friendly gesture and should be treated as such. If they hiss at you when you approach them, then that's a sign to stay away.
Read more at the link below about cat behavior.
2007-08-14 09:43:07 · answer #1 · answered by sandyclausbeth 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm sorry you had a bad prior experience with a cat. What happened in the past was probably a misunderstanding on both your part and the cat's. The best thing for you to do is understand some feline aggression indicators and your relationship with your charges will go much more smoothly.
Aggressive behavior in cats is usually pretty easy to detect -- if you know what to look for. Meowing in and of itself is not necessarily an indicator that a cat is angry. It more often indicates that the cat wants attention or wants to bring your attention to something (ie: an empty food dish...)
If the cat comes toward you with flattened ears or if its tail is "wagging" (slashing violently from side to side), these are good indicators that he/she is NOT happy to see you. Do not make sudden moves or reach toward the cat when it is displaying this behavior. Back away slowly, and do not make eye contact with it. Go about your business and ignore it. It will eventually turn its attention to something else.
However, what you describe sound as if the cat is trying to be friendly. Remember, these kitties have been left alone in a house where they are used to getting a certain amount of daily attention and affection from their human family. If you would like to make friends, squat down close to its level and hold out your hand (slowly) so it can be sniffed. Cats learn a great deal about their surroundings by using their sense of smell and they will want to check you out thoroughly.
If the cat rubs up against your hand or legs, it is just trying to mark you and make you part of its territory. Cats have scent glands in their cheeks and at the base of the tail (where it joins to the spine) and these very subtle markers are used to spread the word -- by scent -- that you are part of the cat's world.
What you describe doesn't sound like aggressive behavior. Perhaps when your friends return from their trip you can visit them and get to know the cats better while their people are around and you can ask your friends any questions you have about how a specific cat is behaving, making your next turn at cat sitting a little less nerve-wracking for you!
2007-08-14 17:26:24 · answer #2 · answered by Yvonne P 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A cat that's happy or friendly will hold their tail upright when they come towards you. Meowing is usually a sign that they want something from you or they are used to greeting their owner this way. I'd only be worried if she begins hissing as that would be a definite sign that you are not welcome.
Hope this helps.
2007-08-14 16:44:13 · answer #3 · answered by Michele the Louis Wain cat 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Watch the tail. If it's up, she's friendly. The taller it is, the friendlier they are.
If the tail is below the line of the back but carried more or less horizontally, they're neutral. If it's held REALLY low and sort of clamped to the body, don't touch.
Any tail swinging from side to side is an annoyed cat. Tail tip twitching is ok, but if the whole tail is in motion, no.
2007-08-14 19:36:20 · answer #4 · answered by Elaine M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She is probably just being friendly is she is trying to approach you. Is it a happy meow or a low growling type of meow? Listen closely, then proceed. I'm sure she is more scared of you then you are of her.
2007-08-14 16:45:24 · answer #5 · answered by DAR76 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well normally if a cat comes to you an not you to it, its friendly. especially if its meowing, it just wants attention, but when approching it you want to be suttle and not over exited or nervus, it the cat were dangerous and a chance to attack you its ears will pull back and it will hiss?growl at you with a hunch back.
hope this helps you!
sabrina
2007-08-14 16:44:26 · answer #6 · answered by sabrina p 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If she approtches you, stand still and dont move suddenly. Put out you hand slowly and let her sniff you. By scent, the cat chooses to like you or not. It is good that you are being causous but i think that she is probably not mean. Good luck!
2007-08-14 16:40:58 · answer #7 · answered by lacrosse_love 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the cat is probably wanting to meet you...not likely wanting to bite or attack you...my cat meows when she approaches me, but most of the time it is to lead me to her food dish so i can feed her.
also don't be shocked or upset if one of the cats nips you...it may sting a bit but it isn't an attack, it it a kiss...they nip out of affection, you can tell when they are mad, their ears lay back and they get all owl-eyed.
2007-08-14 16:47:50 · answer #8 · answered by captsnuf 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If she deosn't claw your eyes out thats one way. Cat purr to people becuase it shows they just want to be nice. Cats purr to one another to tell they don't want to cause any harm or fight.
2007-08-14 17:10:45 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
She probably wants to be friends with you. give her a chance. i once had a bad experience with a horse, but i trust horses and i am not afriad anymore.
2007-08-14 16:48:55 · answer #10 · answered by Timberwolf 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋