I had a wild one bite me Saturday.
He didn’t cotton to being picked up, as his mama wasn’t around.
Got downright feisty with me; the little furball!
First, approach little furball (LFB) with a treat (freeze-dried chicken or salmon usually works).
Hold out treat at arms length, but not within claw-swipe range (CSR).
Allow LFB to sniff said treat. If she eats it and stays, you can proceed to next step. However, if she grabs the treat, hisses and scurries away, know that at least you made some kind of impression and, if you're lucky, she may permit you to pay homage with a treat in the future - don't get your hopes up.
If LFB accepts homage and remains, ease a little bit closer while still out of said CSR.
Look LFB in the eyes and slowly blink several times (this is a sign of affection, if you're lucky, or at least a non-aggressive signal.
Notice if LFB returns said slow eye blink (SEB). If yes, you have been permitted in her presence and may continue to next step. If no, and she seems to be playing a staring contest, continue the SEB as long as she remains in place. If LFB runs away, try again next time starting at step one.
Present top part of hand to LFB so she may smell you. If she butts your hand with her forehead (BYHWHF), you have begun a friendship and may be allowed to pet her. If LFB hisses and swipes said hand with claw or teeth and runs away, try starting again at step one once your hand has healed (you may want to try from step one with your other hand sooner, but you are taking a risk).
Finally, there will be some days when LFB accepts a treat, does the SEB and BYHWHF, accepts petting and acts like she is your very best friend. And on other days, she will act like NONE of that has ever happened between you two. You have to learn her moods and recognize when she will accept worship or she vants to be alone. Never, I mean NEVER, force your affections on her - kittehs are a proud species. They can be the sweetest, most cuddly little critters you have ever known or the meanest, nastiest, hellion ever created - sometimes in the SAME kitteh. You just gotta learn to read them right. Good luck. Start on 'em young. ;o)