It is not uncommon for a cat to nip a person petting it. Usually they don’t draw blood; but if you hit them for doing this they can get teed off. The nips are love-bites. Ever hear someone say about another human “you’re so sweet I could just eat you up”? Similar idea. Sexual sadism is that idea taken to murderous extremes.
“The nips are love-bites.”
Tis truth. Tomorrow April 30th is our 34th wedding anniversary, and in those 34 years we’ve had well over 30 cats, and more than 30 dogs. Today we have 15 cats, and 4 dogs.
We love them all. Cats do have this tendency to either touch with their teeth, or hold with their teeth, or in some cases bite the hand of those they love. It is a sign of affection that can be quite irritating at times. I prefer the cats that simply hold my finger in the teeth a few seconds to those such as “Niver” that chomp down to the bone, making a colorful moment requiring some repair.
I sympathize with you Chuck as we’ve had a few “Rockets” in our past as well. Good luck.
cats are solitary predators, and as such they do not have many behavioral similarities to humans. Cats relate to humans as a kitten to the mother cat. The kitten stage is the only time a cat is cared for at all.
I found that understanding a cat was easier if I treated the cat in its own “language”.
Picked up the offending cat by the scruff of its neck, because that is how the female carries the kitten. Cats have a built in limp/submissive mode triggered by that hold.
If the cat knows you will either injure or kill it if it offends you - then kitty is a nice kitty.
With cats, if it learns you are the Mother Cat of the Universe, it will not risk your ire.
Regardless of what a Cat Lady tells you, love, (in human terms) is not part of the feline world - dominance is.
‘Nuff said.
Some and some not.
Growing up I had an orange tabby who would nip when he had enough attention. A neighbor believed what you did and insisted on pushing it...and found out he really meant “ENOUGH!”. He wrapped himself around her wrist and rabbit footed + bit in deadly earnest. Much blood was shed that day, but the old fool didn’t make an issue of it, because she admitted she’d been warned and ignored it.
One of our current females is a love-biter. She’s easily *very* overexcited, and loves attention. Sweet, affectionate, not so bright, but if she’s relaxed and happy enough, you’re gonna get bit.